Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinEmail this link
Each summer since 2020, the Town of Banff has created a pedestrian zone by temporarily closing to vehiclestwo blocks of Banff Avenue, first as a pandemic safety measure, then as an economic recovery attraction and visitor experience.
Currently, the Town does not plan to bring back the pedestrian zone next year, but Town Council wants public feedback on the features people liked and didn't like from the pedestrian zone, and permanent infrastructure improvements that could be incorporated into a future for the 2-block area.
The Town will be hosting public discussions, meetings, and online engagement to gather community perspectives on their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone. Banff Town Council also asked for concept designs to be developed to provideanidea of what a permanent zone could look like and to highlight featuresfor upcoming community discussions. These concepts are being used to help people identify features for future changes.
Get Involved!
The Town is launching a public discussion on the Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone. Tell us your story about how you experienced the Pedestrian Zone these past four summers.We want to know aboutworking in the zone, passing through, living nearby, meeting people, shopping and dining or just hanging out.
Town of Banff representatives will be popping up around town to talk with people in the community about their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone.
We want to hear from you!Complete the online surveybetween October 18 and November 27, and be entered to win a draw for dinner at the Juniper Bistro.
Public Workshop
The Town hosted a public Workshop on Tuesday, November 21, for residents to learn more about the impacts, mitigations, and possible design concepts for Banff Avenue in the downtown and future potentialpedestrian elements.
Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone Public Workshop Tuesday, November 21, 2023 6-8 p.m. Banff Park Lodge - Ballroom (Registration required for planning enough seating and refreshments)
Focus Groups - For people and groups unable to attend the main public workshop
These sessions will cover the same questions and presentation as the main workshop
Banff Resident 18-30 years old - Tuesday, November 28, 5 - 6 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
Banff Seniors - Wednesday, November 29, 4 - 5 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
Banff residents and businesses/people who drive for a living (trades vehicles, tour operators, taxis, etc.) - Friday, December 1, 3 - 4 p.m., Banff Legion, Downstairs
Banff Businesses, BLLHA / BLLT boards and members - Tuesday, December 5, 2-3 p.m., Mount Royal Hotel, Norquay Room (limit of 40 seats. Registration required by emailing communications@banff.ca)
Background:
This Pedestrian Zone started as a response to the COVID pandemic, aimed to create more space for people to safely social distance in the downtown and to provide customers to restaurants and retailers safe outdoor space in a period with indoors restrictions. With the lifting of COVID restrictions and the return of tourism, the Town continued the vehicle closure of the two blocks from May to October, as a pilot project in 2022-23 to allow a better experience for residents and visitors in the summer, where up to 40,000 people per day walk the two-block area. The pedestrian zone is a busy attraction in summer months.
In December 2022, Banff Town Council confirmed the 2023 return of the summer pedestrian zone, with an increase in the sidewalk seating and display permit fees for restaurants and retailers in the zone. Council also asked administration to return to the December 2023 meeting of council with feedback on the pedestrian zone and design optionsfor a potential permanent pedestrian zone.
In the summer of 2023, the Town contracted Scatliff +Miller + Murray Inc. tocreateconcept design options of potential infrastructure and landscape changesto the zone that could improve the overall pedestrian experience. These concepts will be presented for public discussion in the November 21 workshop.
Each summer since 2020, the Town of Banff has created a pedestrian zone by temporarily closing to vehiclestwo blocks of Banff Avenue, first as a pandemic safety measure, then as an economic recovery attraction and visitor experience.
Currently, the Town does not plan to bring back the pedestrian zone next year, but Town Council wants public feedback on the features people liked and didn't like from the pedestrian zone, and permanent infrastructure improvements that could be incorporated into a future for the 2-block area.
The Town will be hosting public discussions, meetings, and online engagement to gather community perspectives on their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone. Banff Town Council also asked for concept designs to be developed to provideanidea of what a permanent zone could look like and to highlight featuresfor upcoming community discussions. These concepts are being used to help people identify features for future changes.
Get Involved!
The Town is launching a public discussion on the Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone. Tell us your story about how you experienced the Pedestrian Zone these past four summers.We want to know aboutworking in the zone, passing through, living nearby, meeting people, shopping and dining or just hanging out.
Town of Banff representatives will be popping up around town to talk with people in the community about their experiences with the Pedestrian Zone.
We want to hear from you!Complete the online surveybetween October 18 and November 27, and be entered to win a draw for dinner at the Juniper Bistro.
Public Workshop
The Town hosted a public Workshop on Tuesday, November 21, for residents to learn more about the impacts, mitigations, and possible design concepts for Banff Avenue in the downtown and future potentialpedestrian elements.
Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone Public Workshop Tuesday, November 21, 2023 6-8 p.m. Banff Park Lodge - Ballroom (Registration required for planning enough seating and refreshments)
Focus Groups - For people and groups unable to attend the main public workshop
These sessions will cover the same questions and presentation as the main workshop
Banff Resident 18-30 years old - Tuesday, November 28, 5 - 6 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
Banff Seniors - Wednesday, November 29, 4 - 5 p.m., Catharine Robb Whyte Building
Banff residents and businesses/people who drive for a living (trades vehicles, tour operators, taxis, etc.) - Friday, December 1, 3 - 4 p.m., Banff Legion, Downstairs
Banff Businesses, BLLHA / BLLT boards and members - Tuesday, December 5, 2-3 p.m., Mount Royal Hotel, Norquay Room (limit of 40 seats. Registration required by emailing communications@banff.ca)
Background:
This Pedestrian Zone started as a response to the COVID pandemic, aimed to create more space for people to safely social distance in the downtown and to provide customers to restaurants and retailers safe outdoor space in a period with indoors restrictions. With the lifting of COVID restrictions and the return of tourism, the Town continued the vehicle closure of the two blocks from May to October, as a pilot project in 2022-23 to allow a better experience for residents and visitors in the summer, where up to 40,000 people per day walk the two-block area. The pedestrian zone is a busy attraction in summer months.
In December 2022, Banff Town Council confirmed the 2023 return of the summer pedestrian zone, with an increase in the sidewalk seating and display permit fees for restaurants and retailers in the zone. Council also asked administration to return to the December 2023 meeting of council with feedback on the pedestrian zone and design optionsfor a potential permanent pedestrian zone.
In the summer of 2023, the Town contracted Scatliff +Miller + Murray Inc. tocreateconcept design options of potential infrastructure and landscape changesto the zone that could improve the overall pedestrian experience. These concepts will be presented for public discussion in the November 21 workshop.
PRIVACY: Any personal information provided in this survey is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, Section 33(c). The information you provide will be shared only in aggregate form with no connection to individuals and will be used for planning purposes around Banff Community Plan. No personal information will be shared with anyone outside the Town project team. If you have any questions regarding the collection and use of this information, please contact the Town of Banff Director of Communications at: communications@banff.ca or 403.762.1207.
What’s Next for Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone? is currently at this stage
This consultation is open for contributions.
Under Review
this is an upcoming stage for What’s Next for Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone?
Contributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
Final report
this is an upcoming stage for What’s Next for Banff Avenue Pedestrian Zone?
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
Each summer since 2020, the Town of Banff has created a pedestrian zone by temporarily closing to vehicles two blocks of Banff Avenue, first as a pandemic safety measure, then as an economic recovery attraction and visitor experience. 
