Capreol riverfront gets a facelift: Walking path, beach access ramp, benches all part of $1.8-million redesign and repairs.

• Author: McKinley, Karen
• Position: Sudbury

After years of planning and consultations, long-awaited improvements to the riverfront in Capreol, a Sudbury bedroom community, are almost complete.

A new paved walking path, trees, light standards, road improvements, ramp access to the Vermillion River beach, and sitting benches were all installed in time for the community's 100th anniversary and Capreol Days festival, with a few finishing touches like lockstone, picnic areas and another access path to the river nearing completion.

"The plan was to have everything ready for Capreol's anniversary, but the bulk of it is finished and, I have to say, this is one of the best vistas in the whole of the Sudbury area," said Kris Longs-ton, manager of community and strategic planning in the city's department of growth and infrastructure.

"When you look at a design on paper, you don't really have a sense of the size of the scale. I stand here and it's significant."

All together, the project cost $1.8 million. The construction had to incorporate water and sewer improvements as well.

Longston explained crews found a lot of aging infrastructure that had to be upgraded along with surface improvements.

He was at the riverfront on July 25 and was delighted to see most of the work completed, as well as people using the walkways and the beach.

In 1986, a berm was constructed along the Vermillion River to stop flooding. At the time, Longs ton said the berm was erected with only flood control in mind.

Before it was there, the beach included trees, a playground and public dock.

"I've seen pictures, and it was beautiful, but the berm had to go in or the residents and community would lose flood insurance," he said.

The top of the berm was levelled and a paved pathway was installed, which follows the entire length of the riverfront. Trees and shrubs have been planted as well to add to the asthetics.

Including some local roadways, the improvements create a two-kilometre loop.

Beach access improvements include a new paved ramp on the right side all the way to the beach, as well as a sitting area next to the ramp with concrete pads fashioned to resemble train wheels. The seating area is also designed to give a commanding view of the marshlands and opposing shore.

Land was purchased from a local businessman for a lifeguard shack, lockstone sidewalks and more public garden space.

There is also a natural green space with large rock outcroppings and trees, and there will be more benches, picnic tables and a large...