City seeks feedback on concepts for reimagined Beaumaris Lake park

The city is asking for your feedback on the redesign of a popular park.

The almost 40-year-old Beaumaris Lake, the city’s first and largest stormwater lake, has three concepts for a redesign that the public can look at.

“Today we have brought back concepts for Beaumaris Lake, based on information we collected from citizens using the area,” said Marlis Foth, director of open space planning and design for the City of Edmonton.

Easels with concept art encircled the main room of the Good Shepherd Anglican Church at 15495 Castle Downs Rd. on Saturday, including three different designs from Stantec for three separate areas around the lake, The West Park, the Promenade and the East Park. The next public feedback opportunity is Tuesday at the church from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

“These are more larger spaces along the lake that are focal points for the community and high usage,” Forth said.

Residents can walk around the room looking at the designs on the easels or use a VR headset to look around the area in a virtual space. They then can add feedback via marker and a sticky note onto the designs.

Bill Wotta, who has lived in the area since the 1970s, called the concepts creative, interesting and thought-provoking, but felt that he could add some feedback.

“I didn’t appreciate ... the big slab concrete seating. I’d rather see a more traditional rustic bench,” said Wotta.

“We really want to work to engage our community and understand what they would like to see here and work with them take to make sure we can continue to make Beaumaris Lake a great destination for people to enjoy the area,” said Forth.

In 2016 the city assessed the stormwater facility and found that it was functioning. However, the surrounding area was in need of rehabilitation.

In June, the city started its first round of public feedback and information gathering and now are showing the concepts to the public at the open houses.

Funding for the project is covered only up to concept development.

“Once the preliminary work is done and we get a good understanding of how much it will cost it will go forward to the council in the 2019-22 budget cycle request,” said Forth.

After the public gives its input the city estimates to have a schematic design by 2018.

If you’re unable to attend in person you can add feedback to an online survey that runs from Nov. 18 to 30 at edmonton.ca/surveys.

We really want to work to engage our community.