Edmonton's urban planning committee was presented with two options for a new promenade along the north shore of the North Saskatchewan River on Tuesday, outlining a choice between a naturalized vision and a more manicured scheme. The two concepts for the public space focus on a strip of riverfront land west of the Walterdale Bridge, with the broader Touch the Water project encompassing the area in front of the Rossdale power plant.

North Shore Promenade program options, image via City of Edmonton

The area is currently serviced by a busy shared-use path that would be largely rebuilt under the new promenade vision. The first option shows a separated bike path and promenade attached to a cantilevered viewing deck. The riverbank would remain naturalized, whereas the second option imagines more human intervention closer to the water, with a concrete staircase connecting the upper promenade to a lower promenade. 

Option 1 presents a more natural vision, image via City of Edmonton

City staff had suggested deferring further study for the area until revisions to the 1992 Ribbon of Green Master Plan, which administration say will come in 2019. But the committee sided with Mayor Iveson, who supported moving forward with public consultations around the proposal. Barring any surprises, funding for the project will be considered in the 2019-2022 capital budget cycle.

Option 2 includes concrete steps linking two promenades, image via City of Edmonton

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