Letter to the Editor St Albert Gazette
A positive spin-off of COVID-19 has been the surge of residents utilizing St. Albert’s walkways and trails. It has also revealed shortcomings in the trail network, most notably along the north bank of the Sturgeon River from Boudreau Road to Oakmont pedestrian bridges.
This stretch of parkland affords a commanding view of the Sturgeon River that should be for all to see, yet few experience unless they navigate a unmanaged trail pioneered by a steady stream of natural walkers. Construction of the connection would afford north side Red Willow Trail walkers the opportunity to more readily access the green space along the Sturgeon River to the eastern city boundary. It would also complete a circle route for Red Willow Trail users who must now navigate the unswept connection over Boudreau Bridge to rejoin the south bank portion of Red Willow Trail to access St Albert Botanic Park, Kingswood Park and River Lot 56. Presently, residents unable to negotiate the Boudreau Bridge crossing with walkers or strollers are obligated to backtrack to the Braeside pedestrian bridge to access the south side trails.
The draft 2021 budget contains a capital project to initiate Red Willow Trail development from the CN trail trestle to the Grey Nuns Spruce Forest. This is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project intended to benefit all residents, and especially those in the new Riverside development. Council is facing significant challenges to meet the prospect of growth with the burgeoning economic realities of a community hard pressed by the economic downturn. I am advocating delay on the latter project in favour of proceeding with completion of the Oakmont Phase II portion of Red Willow Trail. It can be completed at a fraction of the cost of the Meadowview-Grey Nuns Forest proposal and has an immediate impact on residents residing in these adjoining mature neighbourhoods. Completion of the Oakmont Phase II portion of Red Willow Trail improves neighbourhood connectivity, economic opportunity to the Shops of Boudreau, and overall walkability. Funding this trail completion strikes a balance of looking forward while dealing with the challenges of an economic downturn.
Ken Crutchfield, St. Albert
