Oakmont Trail

Thank you for your question.  Trails are generally primarily a social benefit that improves quality of life, health of residents and improves environmental outcomes as an active transportation option.  There can be indirect or spin-off economic benefits to trails, related to attractiveness of communities for residential investment, access to commercial areas or as a tourism benefit but those are generally related to connected trail systems as a whole (such our Red Willow Trail system) and long distance trails, rather than localized areas like the Oakmont Trail project specifically.   

While we have been speaking with Boudreau Communities to align the trail called for in their Area Structure Plan amendment for Riverbank Landing with this proposed trail, there have been no specific financial negotiations nor agreements signed. As this project is first a feasibility study, and the decision to move forward has not been made, those types of discussions would be premature.  That being said, Boudreau is responsible for completing the pedestrian circulation system wtihin the Riverbank Landing and that will occur regardless of whether it connects to the Red Willow Trail system through this project or not. 

Thank for you this comment. Our project team have searched through existing files and were not able to identify any previously completed environmental assessments for this area specifically that would relate to potential trail development. Some historical geotechnical information was found, which was evaluated within this study. We have heard some residents recollection that additional studies may have been done, potentially by private land developers but have not been able to identify a source. If you have further information on when these studies occurred or who may have completed them, we can certainly continue our search.  The studies under being carried out this project are intended to ensure a robust understanding of the current state of the area however and are being completed by qualified third party professionals. 

Thank you for your question.  Public engagement was advertised in several ways including publication on the City website, through the City's Cultivate the Conversation platform, through City social media and advertising and through mailouts to landowners directly adjacent to the proposed trail alignment.  

Additionally the project team reached out directly to the Botanica Condominium Board (please see the What We Heard report under Key Documents on this site) and presented at a Board meeting on January 6th due to timing of their board meetings.  The information shared on January 6th does not differ from those materials shared during this phase of public engagement.  

We have been working with Boudreau Developments,  as part of the proposal crosses private lands held by Boudreau. 

Additional meetings with St. Albert-Sturgeon Metis Local and Poundmaker's Lodge will also occur as part of this process. 

Thank you for your comments. The biophysical assessment was completed by Spencer Environmental, a highly reputable and qualified firm.  We will have them double check and update the dates you have noted and appreciate you bringing that potential error to our attention.

As Spencer noted within the report, additional studies may be required if the project is advanced.  We are also collecting additional information through this public engagement phase, asking for public knowledge of the area with a citizen science lens, working with Indigenous partners on potential traditional knowledge of the area and using the experience and expertise of our staff who work within the Sturgeon River corridor daily. 

We greatly appreciate your passion and for taking the time to share your concerns with the project team. Balancing human use with the the importance of the Sturgeon River valley as a key wildlife corridor and habitat for many species is not simple and many different perspectives are needed to make sustainable decisions.  If you want to discuss further, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of the project team members listed in the Who's Listening information section of this page.  We would also encourage to attend our virtual public open house on January 27, 2022. 

Thank you for your comments and for sharing how you use and enjoy the Old Bellerose alignment as it is now.  We have identified some potential benefits to changing the gravel road to a more standard 3m asphalt trail, including a smoother surface for those with mobility challenges, the ability to clear the trail in winter and opportunities to add more naturalized plantings along the alignment and create more tree canopy.  There are also certainly benefits to leaving the area as is and we thank you for your feedback as we consider the best course of action for this segment.