Mulhurst Bay Revitalization Proposal 2019 Created 2019-06-28 TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose of the Plan……………………………………….pg.1 Goals…………………………………………………………..pg.1 Site Inventory and Initial Assessment……………..pg.2 A. Parking…………………………………………….pg.2 B. Park Area…………………………………………pg.2 1. Children’s Playground……………………..pg.3 2. Sand Volleyball Court……….pg.3 3. Basketball Court………………pg.3 4. Public Washrooms……………pg.3 5. Drainage of Park Area………pg.3 6. Sheltered Picnic Area……….pg.3 C. Shoreline………………………………pg.4 Proposed Revitalization Action Plan…….pg.6 Estimated Costs………………………………..pg.7 Funding……………………………………………pg.8 Community Engagement……………………pg.8 The Mulhurst Bay Revitalization committee proposed project falls in line with the goals set forth from the County of Wetaskiwin vision and mission created by Council for the execution of the organization's day to day operations and future planning. Vision: Strong proactive leadership, safe progressive communities. Mission: Provide local representation to pool resources and provide a consistent level of core services to the community enhancing the quality of life for present and future generations. Purpose of the Plan The Mulhurst Bay Revitalization Plan sets out several initiatives to meet the ever-changing needs and aspirations of the Mulhurst Bay community. The new plan will: • Receive Council support; • Revitalize the Mulhurst Bay Park Area, Parking Availability and Shoreline Area to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations; • Respond to the needs of the residents, business owners, visitors and other community stakeholders; • Engage a wide range of partners in plan related project implementation; • Initiate a comprehensive 3-year capital and 5-year operational plan that is supported financially by County of Wetaskiwin; • Develop an environmentally progressive project that enhances and adheres to watershed management development practices; • Build on the present engagement and enthusiasm of the Mulhurst Bay Revitalization committee and the surrounding community; • Provide a safe and progressive community. Goals The goal of the Mulhurst Bay Revitalization Committee is to revitalize the three main areas to a suitable standard that will enhance the community well being but also attract business and visitors into the area, mentioned below are the three areas; A. Parking Availability B. Park Area C. Shoreline Area Pg. 1 Site Inventory and Initial Assessment The following information is in its infancy, Council support, consultation with the County of Wetaskiwin administration, stakeholders and community will be needed to ensure that the existing data relates to the specific needs of the community. A. Parking Currently the Mulhurst Day Use area is in desperate need of additional parking to accommodate the influx of vehicle traffic during the summer weekends and holidays. Theses vehicles are typically boaters with truck and trailers. Currently most vehicles utilize the angle parking along the 49th street west of the day use area. There is also a small additional parking lot that is north of the park area which is utilized by some visitors. During summer peak times the angled parking and the small additional parking north of the playground are congested due to the visitors utilizing one of the only public boat launches on Pigeon Lake. This is a major safety concern for the community. It is apparent that the current supply of parking does not meet the current parking needs, another concern is the safety of the pedestrian traffic. As there us no designated walking paths or side walks this could be a potential liability for the County. Appendix (A), Initial Deficiencies: • Congested 49th street, 58 avenue and overflow areas • Lack of appropriate parking spaces available • High traffic volume frequently during summer months • Potential liability concerns for pedestrian traffic (includes children) B. Park Area The existing Mulhurst Bay Park (MBP) has been highly utilized by visitors and community members for the past 40 years. The MBP inventory is; 1. Children’s playground 2. Sand volleyball court 3. Basketball court 4. Public washrooms. 5. Drainage of park area 6. Sheltered picnic area Pg. 2 1. Children’s Playground The expected life associated with a typical playground structure is 15 to 20 years based on industry standards. As the playground equipment ages, the risk of failure to various components of the structure increases. As illustrated in Appendix (B), there is a significant gap in funding to address replacing the existing structure. This gap brings into question what level of service is expected. As the original play structure is approximately 40+years old (minimal upgrades have occurred) it is very apparent that replacement with a new structure that falls in line with CSA (Canadian Standards Association). It is very important that the new structure address; inclusivity, age specific, mobility is very necessary. 2. Sand Volleyball Court The sand volleyball court is well utilized during the summer months. Currently the court is in suitable condition for the usage during the summer months. A professional grade net and post should be installed to withstand the environmental conditions. Appendix (C) 3. Basketball Court 5. Drainage The current basketball The drainage at the court does not provide optional Mulhurst Bay Park has been recreational opportunities A multi identified as a major use area that provides basketball, contributor to the deterioration pickle ball and soccer would of the washroom facility as well better utilize the area to provide as limiting visitors and County recreational opportunities to a wide staff from maintaining the range of demographics in the area. grounds during specific times Appendix (D) of the season. An engineer is required to provide solutions that will fall inline with 4. Public Washrooms government regulations. Appendix (E) The public washrooms at the Mulhurst Bay Park are in desperate need of renovation or 6. Sheltered Picnic Area replacement. The deterioration of the washroom facility has been The current sheltered accelerated due to the poor structure is in adequate and drainage on site and lack of major does not supply a direct line of maintenance. site for safety of residents. Appendix (E) Pg. 3 C. Shoreline Area The waterfront is at the heart of Mulhurst Bay. The shoreline features a boat launch, swimming area and foot path. It’s the key attraction for tourists and prime recreation area for the community. In its current state of disrepair, revitalization is essential to optimize the economic, recreational and environmental value of this natural treasure. Appendix (F) Deficiencies Optimization SWIMMING Access to the swimming area is Implement landscape design solutions AREA significantly impeded and includes including adding more useable green hazards or potential hazards. space, reducing hard surfaces, improving - Failing feature wall installed in 1970s lighting, adding garbage receptacles, - Limited gathering space managing foot and vehicle traffic, installing - Impeded sight lines netting on the swimming area buoys and - Ineffective traffic management improving watershed management crossing main street practices to reduce excess nutrient load - High volume of boat launch traffic (e.g. and reduce frequency or algal blooms. boat trail parking, frequent fuel spills) Strategy: - Biomass accumulates in the swimming - Modernize access management solutions area - Design to current safety standards for - Lake health in a highly developed area swimmers and casual recreational use with limited watershed management to - Implement Low impact development reduce pollution and excess nutrients practices for stormwater management entering the lake for increased and clean runoff potential for algal booms - Manage traffic flow & rescue devices BOAT Launch issues: Launch access issues: LAUNCH - Risk to equipment with shallow access in - Introduce signage about launch restrictions periods of low water levels (e.g. boat access capacity and safe launch - High volume of boat launch traffic e.g. practices, speed, traffic flow etiquette) boat trail parking, fuel spill clean- up - Implement low impact solution for - Risk to water quality with frequent fuel improving slope of the launch spills - rescue devices - Mange flow of boat launch traffic - Fuel spill clean up kit, signage and protocol - Lack of rescue devices with training for staff or volunteer clean up team) Pg. 4 FOOT While a new surface was added for the Reduce pollutants entering the lake by: PATH foot path recently, issues include: - Planting 2-3 buffer strips with deep - Highly developed areas in which rooted plants between the path and native vegetation has been removed road way to slow, filter and clean and is stripped of natural solutions water before it enters the with for clean off. educational signage to support - Suspected grey water dumping resident awareness of clean runoff directly into the lake - Benches - Monitor runoff in 2-3 drainage areas (2 yrs) This work will be based on watershed management practices as outlined in the Pigeon Lake Watershed Management Plan (PLWMP), where applicable. Environmental Partner Groups: Pigeon Lake Watershed Association and PLWMP Steering Committee. In addition, there is a commitment to consult as needed with healthy-lake partners e.g. Nature Alberta, Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership, Alberta Environment and Parks, Cows and Fish. Regulatory Authority: Permitting to be acquired before starting any project that might alter the shoreline i.e. Approvals