This past spring’s flooding has made large portions of Winnipeg’s Riverwalk impassable, but things are starting to improve.
The path is one of the city’s largest tourist areas, and responsibility for its maintenance falls to three different groups.
The area managed by The Forks has just been reopened for use, while the area managed by the city is nearing completion. Once the water level falls a bit more, crews will be able to clean and repair the route all the way to the legislative building.
The portion cared for by Parks Canada has yet to be re-mediated.
Fixing the damage is a multi-stage process that can involve the use of pressure washers to blast away dirt, and the removal of large amounts of silt and other debris. This often requires the use of equipment like a Bobcat. Once the clean-up is completed, any sod that has been damaged or killed by the floodwater can be replaced.
As many as 10,000 people a week use the area for walking, recreation, or just a chance to get a quiet escape from the noise of the city. This makes it important that the clean-up be completed as soon as possible.
Greenbelts like the Riverwalk provide a ‘buffer zone’ that can help protect the city from flooding. They also provide a space for wildlife to exist in an urban setting. Print companies can create signage for use along the trail that lets visitors know the natural history of the area and its wildlife.Get a Free Quote for Print
