The Town of Cochrane held an open house May 8 to garner suggestions on what Riverfront Park should look like going into the future.
Approximately 35 residents attended the event at the RancheHouse, and according Susan Gaida, Cochrane’s senior manager of community services, most were pleased with what the park will feature, which includes gathering places, pathways, a picnic area and an area to enjoy the river.
“Most people were very happy with the design and the idea that we can provide gathering places and pathways for people to use, while still protecting the natural environment,” said Gaida.
Gaida said she did hear some questions regarding the possibility of a boat launch – which was part of the town’s original thought process when first planning for the park — but that it will not be part of the Riverfront Park project.
During an April 22 council meeting, Gaida said the land the launch was to be constructed on is owned by Alberta Transportation, and the town does not want to invest a lot of work and money on land not owned by the municipality. Under the town’s agreement with the province, the site must remain accessible to the water.
Calgary company Ground3 has been studying and mapping out what would work best for the park, which runs along the Bow River, and the first phase is expected to begin this fall at a cost of $1.4 million, focusing mainly on areas to the east of the Highway 22 bridge.
Suggestion boards from the open house are now posted on the town website’s ‘parks and facilities’ page, and the feedback will be accepted until May 24 at noon.
“Following that, we will be finalizing the design and sending it to the provincial and federal authorities for comment and to advise on permits required,” said Gaida, adding that although work will begin this fall, some will have to wait until 2014 based on these permit necessities.
Gaida also said biologists will be monitoring vegetation and wildlife in the Riverfront Park area over the next few months to ensure no damage will result from the development of the park.
Some other upgrades planned for the park include paving, raising and creating new pathways, locating a new off-leash area and turning the old location into a multi-use green space, improving the parking area and putting in fire-pits for recreational day-use.
Visit cochrane.ca for more information.
