Some city councillors are hoping an urban beach along the river valley is in Edmonton’s future.
A motion was passed in March asking administration to provide a report in September with information on the possibility of a beach play area along the North Saskatchewan River.
There are currently three urban beaches in Canada – two in Toronto and one in Montreal – and a number of urban beaches in European cities.
“In cities that have amenities like this it’s a huge attraction and with the kind of hot summer we had I know people would love a place like this to go to and they love being near the river so I think it’s worth looking at,” said Coun. Don Iveson.
A document posted to the city website says urban beaches are becoming increasingly popular and are a “desirable” opportunity for Edmontonians.
“Everybody knows that the river is the defining feature of this city,” Iveson said.
“It’s what we need to celebrate so any opportunity for us to get closer to it is powerful to people so I think there will be a lot of interest in this.”
Coun. Amarjeet Sohi also supports the idea and says the city’s river valley experience would be enhanced if a beach could be safely created along it.
“We have a phenomenal river valley. We have a phenomenal river flowing through our city but a lot of people don’t go to the bank of it because there aren’t a lot of opportunities to do so if we can create the opportunity it will enhance the experiences that people will have in the river valley,” Sohi said.
“I hope we build it.”
The report lists Hawrelak Park, Terwillegar Park, Rundle Park and Gold Bar Park as potential sites for beach areas.
A city beach is an idea that has circulated before.
Mayor Stephen Mandel has been pushing for a beach at Hawrelak Park.
“Anytime we can make our river valley more accessible to people, more fun to people, without invading into its environmental sensitivity, I think is good,” Mandel said.
One of the biggest concerns that have been identified for a beach along the river is whether people could actually swim in the water. The report says the river “generally flows too fast for safe swimming.”
Despite that and other concerns, the report says “the urban beach idea in proximity to the river is worthy of further study.”
“There’s a long way to go to assess the feasibility, learn the costs and look at the costs,” Iveson said.
“Safety is paramount,” Sohi said. “We need to look at that but I think overall if we can explore possibilities we need to explore those possibilities.”
A report on the possibility of a beach play area along the North Saskatchewan River will be presented to the Community Services Committee at a meeting on Monday.
With files from Ashley Molnar
