Trails of garbage, uncontrolled bonfires, drug deals, vandalism and vehicles driving through the river are each alarming in their own right. When they’re all occurring in the same place, it’s a cause of major concern for both people and the environment.
That’s exactly what’s happening just west of Okotoks, on the riverbank at the end of a 48 Street allowance off 354 Ave – also known to locals as Pump House Road. The site has become a popular party spot and neighbours have found evidence of illegal activity like underage drinking, trucks driving through the water, gunfire and fireworks set off during a fire ban, which caused a four-acre grassfire.
The MD of Foothills and Cross family have been backed into a corner where the only way to protect the land, the river and the people living in the area is to block vehicle access to the river. They intend to still allow foot and horseback traffic.
Residents hope blocking cars from tearing down the road will help eliminate most of the issues. They reported to council that in recent years the area has seen a constant stream of vehicles driving dangerously down what was once a single trail and has now become more a mud pit than a road.
Some said they used to walk down to the river with their children and pets, but feel they can’t anymore for fear of altercations with rowdy partiers and vehicles flying over blind hills without slowing down.
MD council gave first reading of a bylaw to see the access road closed at its meeting on June 1, but now the decision has to be approved by Alberta Transportation. The Province should see the value in shutting down the party spot and support the MD and its residents.
The more difficult issue is how to sufficiently block the road. After the 2013 flood, when it had been washed away, the Crosses put up gates with chains and locks and a sign warning people the road was impassable. The chains were torn down and the partying continued. Boulders on the riverbank have also been pulled out of the way by winches and pickup trucks.
Closing vehicle access to the road was absolutely the right call, but the MD needs to ensure their barricade is strong enough to withstand the determination of partiers with tow-ropes and trucks.
