WATCH ABOVE: A unique location in our city is off limits, but the city is looking at making changes. Vinesh Pratap reports.
EDMONTON — If you can’t beat em’ — join em’. That seems to be the approach the City of Edmonton is taking to an illicit, but popular viewpoint in the river valley.
“The End of the World,” as it is known locally, could be transformed into an actual lookout. The city and the Belgravia Community League are looking into changes that would make the site safe for viewing. People are being asked to weigh in on a short survey that is posted on the city’s website.
The End of the World sits at the top of the river bank on Saskatchewan Drive in the Belgravia neighbourhood. It’s above the remains of Keillor Road, which was closed to traffic in 1991 before crumbling into the river.
The scenic spot offers a breathtaking view of the river valley and west Edmonton. Large pillars of an old retaining wall form a makeshift ledge to sit on, but can also be quite dangerous. The steep embankment is several metres below and rebar has become exposed from the deteriorating concrete, making the site a serious safety risk.
The fenced-off area is restricted and regularly patrolled — but that hasn’t deterred those looking to take in the view and party at the secluded spot. They’ve become a thorn in the side for Belgravia residents, who have complained of increased noise, litter, parking and late night activity. The city is hoping to address those concerns by developing the site.
A study on the slope stability recommended that a viewpoint with a safety fence be built on top of the concrete pillars, using the existing trails to access the viewpoint. Stairs and benches would also be added.
The survey also asks what sort of information people would be interested in reading about on signs. The options include interpretive information about Keillor Road’s history, stories about the river valley, landslides in Edmonton and labels for points of interest, and historical information about Belgravia.
The survey is open until Sept. 21. The city will use the results to decide how to move forward. If supported, construction of the viewpoint would begin in 2017.
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