Overview
In the spring of 2020, we hired a third-party contractor to complete a Vegetation Plan for the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant. The creation of this plan included a site review of the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant's vegetative cover with the goal of identifying ways to enhance the appearance of the facility from both surrounding communities and within the site. The contractor reviewed the site on two separate occasions both when the plant material was in a dormant state (without leaves) and again in early summer once the plant material was in full leaf.
From outside the facility, the perimeter of the site was viewed by traveling along the Gold Bar Park entry road that parallels the south property of the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant. The vantage points were also identified by walking the trail system that runs along the north, south and east properties of the plant and by walking the boat launch access road running along the western edge of the site.
The tasks associated with this project included assessing how vegetation could be utilized to enhance the visual aesthetics of the plant and how it could be incorporated into new developments on site. As part of this assessment, our contractors met with facility operators to understand the limitations around vegetation, future expansions within the existing fenceline and the extent of vegetation desired. During these meetings odour mitigation was also discussed and became part of the criteria used when selecting plant material.
Our contractor then prepared recommendations for the planting areas identified on the site plan below to serve as guidelines for future planning strategies. The recommendations for each area identified in the report will occur between now and 2060. It is understood that a detailed design will be prepared for each area as they are ready to be developed or enhanced. The timing associated with the recommendations will depend on planned maintenance activities and proposed projects near these areas within the fenceline of the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant. The community will receive additional information about planting and revegetation plans as part of project specific public engagement initiatives in the future. For revegetation areas located outside of our fenceline, we'll need to coordinate planning activities with the City of Edmonton.
The following site plan highlights the recommended areas (inside and outside the fenceline at the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant) included in the Vegetation Plan.
Site plan
The colour boxes on the site plan depict the planting areas included in the Vegetation Plan.
