Al Fraser hopes Comox is taking a step in the right direction.
Fraser, parks superintendent for the Town, confirmed Wednesday the meandering Port Augusta Park walking path under construction will be covered by a recycled, eco-friendly base, and not asphalt as previously discussed.
"Some people wanted a path, some people didn't want a path, some people wanted asphalt, some people didn't want asphalt," he told council at the committee of the whole meeting.
"In listening to all of the information that was conveyed by the people in the area and paying more closer attention to the ecosensitivity of the creek close by, we explored the option of some other hard-service, more permeable alternatives."
The result is a product from a Comox-based company, which is recycled honeycomb panels that fix to the ground and is packed with gravel that fills in the panels, Fraser added.
"They're having great success with it. It has great eco-value to it. It prevents unnecessary runoff both into the creek and the park and it packs and reacts just as good if not better than asphalt," he noted. "It's wheelchair-friendly, scooter-friendly and you can drive on it. It's a wonderful product. We're going to proceeding with it in the next few days."
When finished, the path will allow for easier pedestrian access to the foreshore as a key entry point to the waterfront walkway connections that may be constructed in the future.
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