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A report heading to the urban planning committee on November 29 details the logistical and jurisdictional speed bumps that lie in the way of making Edmonton's nascent "accidental beach" in Cloverdale permanent. The short-term mitigation measures put into place over the summer — traffic restrictions and additional amenities like portable toilets and garbage cans — are set to return next year, but the long-term path towards an indefinite riverside beach is proving to be a complicated administrative hurdle.
A series of reports from 2012 to 2014 ordered by city council described an opportunity to create a beach along the North Saskatchewan River. Due to fluctuating water levels, currents and water quality issues, the idea was not recommended for approval. But construction associated with the Valley Line LRT's Tawatinâ Bridge project, assisted by low water levels and the natural flow of the river, created an exposed sandbar. The resulting beach was a huge hit with Edmontonians, fuelling calls to make the fledgling attraction a permanent space.
The report paints a picture of what the area could look like by 2020, when the berms placed in the river are scheduled for removal. When that happens, officials expect the sand deposits to disperse and resettle along the river. According to the report, there's no guarantee the beach will even reappear next year, as its emergence is highly dependent on water levels.
If the City chooses to make the amenity a permanent one, it would need to seek approvals from both the provincial and federal government. That's because the location of the temporary beach falls under the provincial government's jurisdiction. And any activity in or near the river is regulated by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada, requiring a "comprehensive planning and environmental review process" before any permits can be obtained. The report estimates it could take up to four years to seek regulatory approval and conduct the necessary planning and design work, including feasibility studies and public consultations.
It's anyone's guess what condition the beach will be in next year, but if it returns, Edmontonians can expect the same temporary amenities put into place last summer. And given the uncertainty around its future, locals may have to cherish the experience while it lasts.
