Keep river valley concept moving forward: Iveson

Urban planning committee to seek public input on Touch the Water

A new promenade along the north shore of the North Saskatchewan River could see large concrete or wooden steps all the way down to the water, and possibly a third trail running along the water’s edge.

It could run as long as two kilometres between the Walterdale Bridge and Government House Park, creating a signature promenade and easing congestion on the already popular shared-use trail.

But city officials worry Edmonton residents will think city council is “unco-ordinated” in its approach to developing amenities in the river valley unless it takes a step back and does a full valley reconsideration first. This project is coming forward in isolation, while the full river valley plan could use a rethink.

“I will be an old man before we get to this if we take that approach,” said Mayor Don Iveson, lobbying to move forward now and get funding for design in the upcoming four-year capital budget. He said the existing path is congested already, and this will create both a beautiful amenity for the high-density residential neighbourhoods nearby and a destination for the rest of the city.

Besides, it’s better to ask questions around a specific project, Iveson said. “It’s tangible for people and I think it will get the conversation going.”

City council’s urban planning committee supported Iveson’s approach, deciding to do public engagement around this project and the city’s general approach to development in the core reach of the river valley at the same time.

City officials don’t yet know what the project will cost. That will depend on how many connections are included between the upper path and the river, and if the lower trail runs along the full length of the project. Currently, that stretch has a single shared-use trail where views of the river are often blocked by vegetation. Some beavers and other wildlife live between the path and the water’s edge, which is a distance of between 15 and 45 metres, crossed by a few steep trails.

Coun. Jon Dziadyk worried it is too early to think of building this promenade when Edmonton doesn’t even know how the funicular and its associated boardwalk are being received.

“Going forward with another similar project without demonstrated use of that, I think is a bit premature. All these projects cost a lot and regardless of who pays for it, there’s only one taxpayer,” he said, referring to the previous twothirds contribution from the federal and provincial governments.

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He said he’d rather hold off, rewrite the outdated plan for the central river valley first, then look at Touch the Water. Council might find people want to leave this area as natural as possible, preferring to look at the valley from further away to see as much green as possible.

City officials did get some feedback on how people want the river valley to be used in its recent open spaces master plan, Breath, said Peter Ohm, head of city planning. That plan found people want more diverse, multi-functional spaces while reserving other parts of the river valley for “nature at its best.”

Edmonton is also looking at partnering with the River Valley Alliance to build a new footbridge in the northeast to connect with Strathcona County, a second footbridge in Terwillegar Park and several trail extensions.