City report considers options as residents pursue outdoor recreation during pandemic
Omand Park eyed for river access
A NEW public access point to the Assiniboine River could help Winnipeggers better enjoy the water, though many sites aren’t suited to the purpose, a new report notes.
A study of potential pedestrian access points to the Assiniboine explores options along Wolseley Avenue and Palmerston Avenue, between Canora Street and Omand Park.
The report by city staff notes more Winnipeggers enjoyed local rivers during the pandemic when other recreation options were at times cut off.
“The desire of the public to access the river for both winter and summer activities has been especially evident during the pandemic as a significant number of residents have been pursuing recreational and leisure activities that are available locally and are not impacted by (public health) restrictions,” the report notes.
It finds Omand Park at 1430 Portage Ave. to be a viable location for public river access, but it stops short of recommending whether the city should pay for the feature. City officials estimate it would cost between $300,000 and $600,000 to create that access.
The head of council’s water and waste committee, which will discuss the report on April 4, said rivers can offer Winnipeggers a different view of their city.
“The first time I was… on the river (skating) trail (at The Forks), I was just blown away. You never get this kind of view, (it’s) amazing. It’s like adding a whole different park for four or five months a year,” said Coun. Brian Mayes.
The report recommends the city only add access to the river in winter if it also implements a program to regularly monitor ice condition, clear snow and maintain clear safety standards.
The report says Omand Park aligns with existing paths and could accommodate a facility that is universally accessible.
“It has the greatest visibility from the street to the river and through the whole area. This is a potential deterrent to unwanted activity and possibly a benefit with respect to public safety,” it notes.
The report also explored potential access points at: Canora Green at 850 Palmerston Ave.; 2 Arlington St. right-of-way; Aubrey Green at 1020 Palmerston Ave.; William Marshall Park at the Dominion Street right-of-way; 1254-1256 Wolseley Ave. (at Clifton Street); and Greenwood Park at 1270 Wolseley Ave.
However, it found those sites aren’t suited to the use, largely due to inadequate space and the potential to damage forests.
While Mayes said there is demand to make rivers more accessible, he believes funding a specific access point should be part of a larger budget debate, which could look at entry points close to multiple wards.
“I think taking a bigger picture view of it would make more sense,” he said.
joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga