The City of Burnaby is implementing a one-week School Street pop-up at Gilmore Elementary School as part of a nationwide initiative led by Green Communities Canada and the Society for Children and Youth of BC.

From April 20 to April 24, 2026, Triumph Street will be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic between Gilmore Avenue and Carleton Avenue during school arrival and dismissal times:

• 8:20-8:50 am
• 2:45-3:45 pm

During these periods, the street will be open for children and families to walk, play and gather in a car-free space.

A School Street is a temporary road closure beside a school during student arrival and dismissal times. Motor vehicle traffic is not permitted during these periods.

School Streets support children travelling to school by walking, cycling or rolling, and provide space for families to socialize and for children to engage in simple outdoor play. Burnaby’s School Street pop-up will include light programming and resources to encourage safe, active and inclusive use of space. All school families and neighbourhood residents are welcome to participate.

Encouraging active travel to school supports goals, policies and targets identified in the Burnaby Transportation Plan, Climate Action Framework, and Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.

School Streets can help:

• improve traffic safety near schools
• reduce vehicle emissions during peak periods
• increase walking and cycling to school
• create opportunities for social connection and physical activity

In fall 2024, the City engaged School District 41 to share information about Burnaby’s School Street pop-up and request expressions of interest from elementary schools. Schools interested in participating were asked to confirm their willingness and ability to support implementation.

Based on expressions of interest and an initial engineering review, candidate schools were assessed using planning, operational, and community readiness criteria, including:

• Street network feasibility – The surrounding street network can accommodate temporary closures while maintaining local access, city services, and emergency response routes.
• School interest and capacity – Interest and support is demonstrated from school leadership, Parent Advisory Councils, and the broader school community, including potential volunteers.
• Travel modes and infrastructure – Existing travel patterns and nearby walking and cycling infrastructure indicate potential to support increased active travel within the school catchment.

• Triumph Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Gilmore Avenue and Carleton Avenue during School Street hours
• All other streets remain open
• Detour options include Dundas Street, Pandora Street, and other parallel streets

• No changes outside of School Street hours
• During closure periods, vehicles may remain parked on street but cannot enter or exit the block
• Laneway access will be maintained
• Additional details will be provided by mail

Gilmore Elementary School

• Existing pick-up and drop-off areas on Dundas Street, Gilmore Avenue, and Carleton Avenue remain available.
• Increased demand is expected. Families are encouraged to consider walking, cycling, or using alternative nearby residential streets within a 5-minute walk for pick-up and drop-off.

Gilmore Preschool

• Morning session drop-off occurs after the closure ends at 8:50 am. Morning session pick-up midday is unaffected.
• Afternoon session drop-off midday is unaffected. Afternoon session pick-up will not be available on Triumph Street. Parents can use alternate local streets in the area.
• Preschool families are welcome and encouraged to participate in the School Street activities.

The City will engage with the school community and nearby residents before, during and after the pop-up.

Engagement and evaluation activities may include:

• surveys
• on-site activities
• traffic and travel behaviour data collection

Feedback and data will be used to understand potential impacts and inform future decisions.

Volunteers from the school community are welcome.

Volunteer roles may include:

• setting up and taking down equipment
• providing directions and general guidance
• supporting simple programming activities

Morning and afternoon shifts are available. Training will be provided.

Email: SchoolStreets@Burnaby.ca

The City will review data and community feedback from the pop-up. The results of the pop-up will inform future decision making about School Streets in Burnaby.

The National Active School Streets Initiative (NASSI), led by Green Communities Canada (GCC), supports communities across Canada to test and implement School Streets.

Burnaby is participating as an aspiring community, delivering a one-week pop-up to assess feasibility and community support. Funding is provided through a federal grant administered by GCC.