Edmonton’s “accidental beach” on the North Saskatchewan River may live on, now that council has directed city administration to look for ways it can become permanent.
The beach, on the riverbank adjacent to the Cloverdale neighbourhood, was created by changes to the river current during construction of the LRT bridge weirs.
Coun. Ben Henderson, whose ward includes the new beach, made an official inquiry to administration during Tuesday’s council meeting.
He said the popularity of the beach makes it worth investigating.
“If (the beach) is being created by that berm, I presume it will be around for another couple of years, and I think that’s an interesting question about what we might want to do to keep it long-term,” Henderson told reporters.
There are short-term issues that need to be addressed more immediately, he said, such as a shortage of parking and lack of garbage cans.
Federal and provincial environmental officials have said changes to bodies of water that result from construction have to be removed.