This is the work we enjoy the most here at Strong Towns Langley — trying to make a real difference in our community.
The Parry Evans Trail runs through Willoughby, connecting one side of the neighbourhood to the other, away from noisy roads and traffic. It should be a dream for anyone wanting to walk, bike, or roll through the area. Just one problem: maze gates. Twenty-five of them, scattered across the trail and surrounding pathways.
As we’ve talked about before, maze gates make trails less accessible — for parents with strollers, seniors with mobility aids, and anyone on a bike or scooter.
But here’s the good news.
Township Council has supported a pilot program to remove all 25 maze gates. Thank you, Council!
Right now, these gates act as obstacles. After they’re removed, we’re expecting to see more people out walking, biking, and enjoying the trail. But to prove that — and to keep the momentum going — we need something crucial.
We need data.
Yes, we know. Data isn’t glamorous. But counting how many people use the trail before and after the gates come down is how we build the case for removing maze gates elsewhere in Langley.
We’re looking to purchase a Telraam traffic counter — a device that uses a camera to identify and count pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. To make this happen, we need two things:
Funding. If you’d like to support this project, visit strongtownslangley.org/donate.
A home near the trail. The Telraam needs a window pointing at the trail to record data. If you live nearby, please reach out!
This is how we keep the ball rolling — real evidence showing how small changes improve our community.
Thank you for your support.
