Urban beach could be on the way

Space would be set back from water, feature a new restaurant

The city should spend $1.4 million on an urban beach as part of upgrades to Louise McKinney Park, a new report recommends.

The 800-square-metre beach, twice the size first proposed last spring, would be set back from the water near the existing café, the report released Thursday says.

There wouldn’t be swimming or access to the North Saskatchewan River.

But the space would feature cool misting spray, colourful seats and umbrellas, and room for yoga, beach volleyball, music and large-screen movies.

There would be lights, portable fire pits and a new restaurant to make the area attractive in winter as well.

Visitors would reach the beach on an asphalt path or a staircase being put in as part of $12.5 million worth of long-term improvements that started in 2012.

“Park development proposes to transform Edmonton’s postcard view with high-quality development and create an active space for events in the heart of the city,” the report says.

The original hope was that construction could start this year.

However, the report suggests delaying work until the nearby Valley Line LRT bridge is finished because noise, dust and equipment will disrupt the park for years.

The proposal is to start installing the beach and other amenities, such as a restaurant and two plazas, around 2018, said Roger Jevne, director of the community strategies and development branch.

This would allow the LRT and the park upgrades to be ready at the same time in 2020, he said.

“The park will remain open. We just don’t want anything being damaged (by LRT construction).”

The issue will be discussed Monday by council’s community services committee.

Sandy lounging spots are popular in Europe and elsewhere in North America.

Canadian examples include Clock Tower Beach in Montreal’s Old Port and Toronto’s Sugar Beach, a converted parking lot in a former harbourfront industrial area.

But local opinion appears mixed. About 92 per cent of the 100 people who attended six public information sessions last year want a McKinney Park urban beach.

On the other hand, only 54 per cent of the 946 respondents to two online questionnaires support the idea.

While Coun. Scott McKeen, who represents the area, said he has questions about the cost of the scheme, he likes the concept.

“This has been badly mischaracterized … as a beach,” he said, admitting the city has also used that description.

“This is a sand play area … There are not a lot of recreational opportunities downtown. Louise McKinney has been underutilized.”

He’s happy to see provision for cold-weather activities.

“I think this is clearly a new attitude from the city, and I think it’s really good … that we’re no longer hiding the fact that we’re a winter city.”

Planners want to design the facility primarily for teenagers and young adults, but it’s also intended to accommodate families.

Improved security and more local activity should keep troublemakers in check, McKeen said.

“There have been issues of disorder down there, broken glass, and ‘partying’ by street people,” he said.

“The best way to deal with disorder is to bring a lot of people to an area … The underground community doesn’t want to be around a lot of families.”