A train bridge inside Little Red River Park. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Flood damage

City aims for Little Red reopening June 19

Jun 9, 2020 | 2:48 PM

Prince Albert parks staff are working to get the core section of Little Red River Park near the main gate ready to reopen.

The area has been closed since April 26 following flooding caused by river break-up. The North Saskatchewan River surged to it highest level in 34 years during this spring’s ice break-up event.

The city’s parks manager told paNOW his department finished cleaning up the downtown riverbank around two weeks ago and is hoping to open the core of Little Red Park on June 19. Currently the park is only accessible from the upper flats in the east and the north parking lot in the west.

“Anytime we have a significant flooding event the City will take all precautions and necessary measures to ensure the safety of the users,” parks manager, Tim Yeaman, said in an email.

Yeaman explained parks staff are collaborating with the department of public works to ensure the Lions Foot Bridge is in stable condition and roads inside the park are repaired and regraded where necessary before reopening.

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“I took a tour of the park two weeks ago and it looks amazing and we are looking forward to getting the core of the park back open as quickly as possible,” he said.

Yeaman explained the aim is to have the main section of the park open on June 19, depending on the results of a site visit on Tuesday and how quickly the roads can be completed.

“Our main goal is to ensure it is done right so that the first experience when re-entering the park is a positive one for users,” he said.

Staff are also working hard to ensure the park is clean and mowed, and items like firewood are replenished ahead of welcoming nature lovers back.

As for the area of the downtown riverbank that was affected by flooding, Yeaman said the City continues to monitor for erosion, but has no concerns at this time.

Logs, tree branches and other debris that washed ashore have been cleared away and the Rotary Trail and walking path near the museum are now fully accessible.

Meanwhile, the hand railings that were famously torn out by surging river ice are in the process of being restored and should be back in place in the coming weeks, Yeaman said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom