Changes have been made in regards to the realignment of Riverview Pathway following an open house session and walkabout between residents, the Town of Cochrane and the landscape architecture firm handling the pathway project.
About 20 Riverview residents showed up for the informal session Sept. 19, which took attendees to the location of the alignments proposed by Town administration and Ground3 Landscape Architects.
“The decision has been made that we have to do something about the pathway — but we’re looking for suggestions,” said Suzanne Gaida, senior manager of community services with the Town.
The fast-moving and high water levels of the Bow River during June’s floods caused undercutting to the riverbank in the Riverview West area, explained Jonathan Sagi, of the contracted architecture group. As a result, the pathway needs to be pulled back from the banks.
The original realignment plan, which Gaida and Sagi both said was not set in stone, saw the trail moving as close as 10-15 feet to community homes. When the trail met head on with bushy areas of vegetation, the path was realigned further from the riverbank, closer to the lots.
The length of the river pathway will also be paved, to better withstand future flooding. Currently, the pathway consists of both red shale and paved trails.
Community members arrived at the session armed with a variety of questions, concerns and recommendations. Among the topics: how to safely keep trail users away from the damaged banks, how to increase privacy for homeowners whose properties back onto the pathway, how to minimize the realignment of the pathway.
A number of community members commented on the hasty plan to realignment and pave the pathway — Gaida and Sagi said construction was expected to begin this fall.
The decision to begin the pathway construction was based on funding, said Gaida. She said there is a one-year timeline to acquire provincial funding for post-flood projects like the Riverview Pathway adjustments.
As a result of resident comments, Gaida said Sept. 24 that amendments have been made to the proposed plans:
The new alignment does not start until absolutely necessary and ends as soon as possible.
The pathway is still being realigned in the area where bank was lost during the flood event, but will stay as far back from the lots as we safely can and will cut through the current bush.
The pathway will stay to the river side of the current brush, where possible, to retain as much of the privacy and green space behind residences as possible.
In addition, to keep users away from banks of the river, Gaida said administration is looking into installing post-and-rail style fencing.
The new pathway alignment still needs approval from Alberta Environment and Alberta Culture, she said.
The realignment timeline may have changed as well, said Gaida.
“I’m not sure if pathway construction will start this fall or if (residents) may see the removal of the bush area in the fall/winter with the pathway construction in the spring,” she said.
Gaida said residents will know of a timeline as soon as it is confirmed.
To learn more about the adjustments to the pathway, or to provide feedback, contact Gaida at [email protected].
