The Calgary River Access Strategy will be presented to the City of Calgary’s Community & Protective Services Committee(CPS) on February 1, 2017 for discussion, public input and hopefully approval before being presented to City Council for approval in March. From a list of 25 sites given consideration for development, the list is now down to 12 potential boat ramps. Of which Stoney Trail, 12 Street SE (new), Refinery Park (new) and Graves Bridge are considered high priority for improvements.
17 Ave SE / Cushing Bridge was taken off the table as a trailered boat access point. Ogden Road was considered as a realistic alternative, but the Bonnybrook Permanent Flood Barrier eliminated this site.Discussions continue with the City of Calgary to install hand launch parking and local amenities at these sites. A new boat ramp site at the top end of the Old Refinery Park has been identified as the most appropriate location to meet recreation boat access to replace the 17 Ave SE boat ramp. The rationale for this boat ramp site selection can be seen in the following Report .
What is important at this stage in the River Access Strategy approval process is for all river user groups, businesses and individuals to support the proposals with appropriate comments that will assist approval by City Council.
CRUA has presented a Position Paper to the River Access Strategy that will be followed up with presentations to the Community & Protective Services Committee Meeting on February 1, 2017. If you feel a change in direction is needed please contact us ASAP. We would be pleased to add your support to the document, but if you wish to submit input yourself, please forward an email to the Project Manager for the River Access Strategy at Calgary Parks.