Collingwood needs a pedestrian-focused urban planning design.

This action is timely with the current construction of The Admiral's Place and The Harbourlands, thus resulting in an intensified population increase of the downtown core of Collingwood.

Pedestrian crosswalks at 1st Street and Water Street will allow tourists to freely walk across First Street's dangerous and busy road during peak season. Often you see groups of people or kids bolting across First to go from Boston Pizza or Fathom/The Ski Shop to East Side Marios and over to Blockbuster Video or to the entrance of Harbourview Park.

This crosswalk should be the number-one priority and signature action to benefit both the local and tourist based pedestrians who cross at First Street. Plus, it will slow and pace busy traffic during intense peak season activity.

With regard to cyclists, they are traffic, too. Riders must be given safe and well-marked routes on and off trails. More visible signage for local and tourist-based cyclists will promote Collingwood's support for this active sport and "green traffic".

I agree with Counc. Mike Edwards that Collingwood can think and act on these policies independently, although it is key to have a third-party environmental and urban planning assessment based upon pedestrian-centred urban design methods in combination with local interest groups like the Environmental Network's trail advisory group at 446-0551.

Collingwood's image and spirit will continue to evolve as "green and clean" with a greater focus on contemporary urban design and pedestrian-centred planning, while servicing the local working population and its desired tourists and guests.