A portion of the Foreshore Trail that is eroded from flooding will be getting a boost.
If the city gets final approval from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, work will proceed within two weeks on a 200-metre stretch of trail between the Poison Ivy signs and Raven. The trail will be closed for five to seven days to accommodate the work.
John Rosenberg, manager of public works, told the city’s development and planning services committee Monday that an initial plan from the city to raise the trail about a metre was turned down by the federal department.
Fisheries and Oceans didn’t want it elevated that high, so it will be raised about 0.4 metres.
What’s called coco-mat straw matting, made from coconut fibres, will be placed on the bank. Then, for long-term protection, sprigs of willow will be planted. They will be spaced 10 to 15 metres apart so they won’t impede the view of the lake, and they will be trimmed vertically once they mature. They are intended to impede erosion and wave action from the lake.
Coun. Kevin Flynn said the community will have to decide whether it wants to have the trail open year-round or if the choice will be to continue to let it flood.
“As a transportation corridor, do we have any problem with it being flooded usually June and part of July – a high use time...? That’s something future councils will have to decide.”
Coun. Ivan Idzan asked if a boardwalk is viable. Rosenberg said that would require removal of trees, which would affect fish habitat.
He added there is a sewer line under the pathway that needs more coverage.
Official approval of the new plan which will cost approximately $28,000, is expected shortly.