Boat launch in Riverside?

Traffic roundabout, wider sidewalks also among ideas proposed at community open house, sparking questions from residents

Ideas for future neighbourhood development in Riverside include a roundabout, enhanced sidewalks and a boat launch, it was revealed at an open house on Thursday.

A traffic roundabout at the intersection where St. Patrick’s Church is located would improve traffic flow, said Robert Sissons, city superintendent of planning and policy.

Sheila Bayley thought it was a great solution. People may take a little time to get used to it but that would come.

A proposed boat launch and river viewing platform at First Street NW and Fifth Avenue NW would allow people with kayaks or canoes to launch and enjoy the river. A concern about parking was expressed by Marian Ho, who lives near there.

The river current does not encourage people to boat down the river and return to where they launched, said Sissons. People are typically dropped off and someone picks them up further down the river, so not much parking is required.

Ho also referenced a lack of berm protection in that spot, feeling another flood would likely demolish any platform and boat launch.

There is the potential to create wider sidewalks on Third Street and special crosswalks like those found on Second Street SE. Sissons says this would naturally coax drivers to reduce speed, as well as create an area more inviting for sidewalk cafes.

Bayley and several other residents felt that was a great idea but something would have to be done about the volume of traffic, especially trucks.

An open house was held in March to solicit ideas from residents. This was triggered in part by the closure of the community swimming pool and Riverside School.

The city wants to know what should be done about the short avenues between the houses that back onto the river. This land could be sold to adjacent landowners.

Selling off that land would restrict public access to the river, said Kathleen Wilson, who enjoys walking there in the natural environment.

“Walking on a sidewalk is not the same as a trail,” said Wilson, who has lived in the neighbourhood for more than 20 years.

Several presentation boards prepared by the city were not about future plans but gave an historical perspective, which Ho was concerned would distract people from the important aspects at the open house. She also wondered if the city had already made up its mind about what would be done, and wondered if the open house and survey were to let people “think” their opinions mattered.

Sissons says it is ultimately up to council to decide on future plans, but even at that point members of the public can present ideas and concerns directly. There will be a third open house this fall, after the municipal election.

More than 65 people attended the open house in the first hour alone. For those who did not attend and complete a survey, there is one available at medicinehat.ca/riverside.