Local residents want Owen Sound to take back the beach.
And the first step in a reclamation of Kelso Beach must start with the invasive reed grass that has choked the beach and the surrounding waterfront.
That was the primary sentiment expressed to the consultant hired to look at the issue.
Kim Allerton of Northwood Associates Landscape Architects presented the master plan to Council on Monday night.
Its taken about 10 months to complete the plan which included intensive consultation, written submissions and several public meetings.
Allerton is advocating a 20-year plan for the beach that would see extensive shoreline restoration work, an enhancement of swimming, canoeing and sailing areas, the establishment of a family fun area, and work on the amphitheatre to make it fully accessible.
The master plan, which will soon be available for viewing on the city’s website, has even been divided into small projects which are prioritized.
If everything was done right now ..the total price tag would be 6 million dollars.
But she says some of the projects could be combined with other and done over time such as harbour dredging.
And Allerton says opportunities may also exist to share the costs of projects with partners, such as the splash pad being planned for Kelso by the Scenic City Order of Good Cheer.
That said, the top priority is dealing with the invasive reed grass.
The city has committed 20 thousand dollars to that effort this year.
