Local residents offer input on Edmonton’s urban beach plan

Edmonton residents aren’t used to seeing people lounging in bathing suits downtown, but that may become a reality if city council approves a proposed urban beach at Louise McKinney Park this fall.

The city held five public input sessions in June — at Churchill Square, Strathcona Farmers’ Market, Muttart Conservatory and two at Louise McKinney Park — seeking opinions on the proposal to build a 420-square- metre beach east of the Shaw Conference Centre near River Valley Adventure Co. In total, 39 people stopped by the city’s tent to voice their opinions.

The beach would feature chairs, umbrellas, a misting machine or shower and possibly a restaurant, café or retail store, and could open in 2015.

The space is about 20 metres from the North Saskatchewan River, which isn’t considered safe for swimming.

About 10 people over two hours stopped in the park Saturday to fill out surveys and talk to city planner Corey Toews about the idea, providing comments that will be part of a report to councillors Sept. 11 that will also include potential designs and cost estimates.

The goal is a high-quality area at a low price. The beach should cost less than $1 million to build, Toews said. The most expensive feature is expected to be high-quality sand.

The response at the sessions has been “overwhelmingly positive,” he said.

One of those supporters is cyclist Carl Bjelke. “I’m all for it, anything to get people out of West Edmonton Mall,” he said. “It would be nice to see a lot of people down here.”

His only unease is that it might attract “undesirables,” which Toews said is one of the main concerns expressed.

While police already patrol the area, Toews said increased public programming would attract new life to the underused park and might deter troublemakers.

Irayna Tallas said she likes the idea of having yoga classes at the beach because it would bring the community together. “I’d be more likely to bring people and meet friends if I knew there was something to do,” she said.

As a senior, Joe Wasylyk’s main concern is accessibility.

He walks through the river valley twice a week, but has trouble getting up all the stairs to Jasper Avenue and said security guards at the Shaw Conference Centre have deterred him from using the escalators.

Kent Trew lives in nearby Rossdale and said while he likes the idea of a different sort of space in the city, it would likely increase trail traffic, making safety a concern.

The city will have to ensure cyclists and dog walkers near the beach are aware children might be running around, he said. The success of the beach depends on everyone co-operating, Trew said.

The last public input session is July 20 from 9 a.m. until noon at the downtown farmers market on 104th Street.