Title
Devonian Gardens Trail - Scope Change
Proposed Motion
That Council approve an amendment to the scope of work for the Devonian Gardens Trail - Off Road Trail Alignment from the east end of the Imrie Property to the Devonian Gardens - changing the trail width from 3.0m to 2.4m and the trail surfacing from asphalt to granular for the entire length of this portion of trail.
Body
Administration Recommendation(s)
Administration supports the motion as presented.
Purpose
To seek a project scope change for the Devonian Gardens Trail Connection from the Imrie Property to Devonian Gardens.
Summary
May 27, 2014 Council approved up to $510,753 from the Municipal Park Restricted Surplus to develop the Off Road Trail Alignment Asphalt Option to the Devonian Gardens from the Imrie Property. The asphalt option was pursued as a mechanism to minimize the attractiveness of the trail to Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) users. Costing was based on a trail width of 3.0m.
The Design Phase began in October of 2014 and has involved the following:
- Environmental Review
- Geotechnical Investigation
- Historic Resources Impact Assessments
- Historical Resources Act Clearance
- Site Survey and Base Map Preparation
- Preliminary Design package for review
- Public Engagement - Focus on Adjacent Landowners
Actions resulting from our Preliminary Design Review with stakeholders and adjacent landowners includes:
- Phased trail development involving the Devonian Gardens Trail link from the Imrie Property to Devonian Gardens was extended to 2016 to allow time to explore land options along Banksiana Road with the University of Alberta.
- Safety, enjoyment and winter use concerns were raised regarding the placement of the 3m of trail in the narrow road right-of-way along Banksiana Road. An agreement was pursued with the University of Alberta allowing use of their lands south of Banksiana Road for trail placement. The intent is to construct as much of the trail outside the road right of way as possible. A 25 year agreement has been negotiated and approved by the University of Alberta Board of Governors and an Order in Council by the Lieutenant Governor to complete the approval is in process. While this process occurs, the University of Alberta has granted an interim five year agreement to Parkland County in order to move the trail development forward. Use of these lands and County Municipal Reserve along the southside of Banksiana Road will result in approximately 800m of the 1400m removed completely from the road right-of-way, and an additional 220m overlapping the County right-of-way and County reserve lands.
- The application and agreement process is underway with Alberta Transportation for use of the Highway 60 Road Right-of-Way (east side) from Banksiana Road north to the current Devonian Gardens access.
- Concerns regarding trail width and surfacing were raised during stakeholder engagement. The use of asphalt is considered to be unnatural and environmentally unfriendly in relation to the proposed trail alignment. OHV issues in the area have decreased since Tuckers Field was leased by Parkland County and other measures potentially can be utilized to control access to, and use of, the trail by OHVs.
Administration is seeking support from Council for a scope change to allow a modification in surfacing from asphalt to granular and trail width from 3.0m to 2.4m.
Administration supports the change in scope for the following reasons:
- A narrower, granular surface is seen by the stakeholders as a more natural, environmentally friendly fit to the area. It requires less clearing and adds flexibility in areas where space is limited for trail placement.
- Granular surfacing of the trail will provide for a more consistent trail system in the area taking into account the granular surfacing along the secondary (Imrie Property) trail section. Any future work in Tuckers Field would be granular, and the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s intent for Bunchberry Meadows is for natural trails as well.
- The 2.4m trail width still provides adequate, safe spacing for all the intended uses of the trail.
- Concerns regarding OHVs in the area still exist but not at the level they once were prior to Parkland County taking control over the Tuckers Field area; Stakeholders believe other measures can be utilized, along with active enforcement by Parkland County to control OHV use.
- Adjacent landowners are, for the most part, significantly opposed to the project. Adjustments to the proposed plan show that Parkland County has been listening and values their input/feedback by taking their comments into account with these changes.
- The Secondary Trail section on the Imrie Property was tendered earlier this year and came in significantly over budget. Change in trail width and surfacing will provide additional flexibility to accommodate potential cost escalations.
Next steps for the project include:
- Mid-January 2016 - Completing adjacent landowner consultation
- End of January 2016 - Completing detailed design
- End of January 2016 - Informing County residents of the project status
- February 2016 - Tendering
- April/May - November 2016 - Construction
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications
Healthy Communities - Parkland County communities create strong supportive cultures through design excellence and proximity to amenities, services and recreational opportunities.
Financial Impact:
Cost: 0
Source of Funding: n/a
Other (As Required)