Comments on: Guelph: A river runs through it? http://gregmercer.ca/2009/06/25/guelph-a-river-runs-through-it/ Newspapering and other adventures Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:17:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Dave Sills http://gregmercer.ca/2009/06/25/guelph-a-river-runs-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Dave Sills Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:50:49 +0000 http://gregmercer.ca/?p=10#comment-6 I was very happy to see Greg Mercer's piece "City has lost sight of its waterways" in the June 24 Mercury. Mercer hits the nail on the head when he says that our cherished rivers "should be a bigger part of our urban landscape". The city should be doing all that it can to ensure that our rivers are always front and centre, not hidden behind plazas and concrete. I was particularly disappointed with the recent reconstruction of two of Guelph's major bridges, one over the Eramosa River on Victoria Road and another over the Speed River on Eramosa Road. In both cases, metal rails were replaced by concrete walls, cutting off the view of the river as vehicles pass over these bridges. "Out of sight, out of mind" - not a good thing in a community where water resources are so important. I hope that when the next bridge projects come up, the city is much more careful about how our river views are treated. In fact, why not do more to celebrate our rivers by creating unique bridges that enhance our ability to keep in touch with their daily and seasonal rhythms? I was very happy to see Greg Mercer’s piece “City has lost sight of its
waterways” in the June 24 Mercury. Mercer hits the nail on the head when
he says that our cherished rivers “should be a bigger part of our urban
landscape”. The city should be doing all that it can to ensure that our
rivers are always front and centre, not hidden behind plazas and concrete.

I was particularly disappointed with the recent reconstruction of two of
Guelph’s major bridges, one over the Eramosa River on Victoria Road and
another over the Speed River on Eramosa Road. In both cases, metal rails
were replaced by concrete walls, cutting off the view of the river as
vehicles pass over these bridges. “Out of sight, out of mind” – not a
good thing in a community where water resources are so important.

I hope that when the next bridge projects come up, the city is much more
careful about how our river views are treated. In fact, why not do more
to celebrate our rivers by creating unique bridges that enhance our
ability to keep in touch with their daily and seasonal rhythms?

]]> By: Chuck Miller http://gregmercer.ca/2009/06/25/guelph-a-river-runs-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-2 Chuck Miller Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:01:55 +0000 http://gregmercer.ca/?p=10#comment-2 I read your article and agree with you 100 percent, infact I own the Arena Bar & Grill and would certainly build a patio on the river and clean up the garbage area. I would wonder how many hoops I would have to jump through to get approval. Chuck Miller I read your article and agree with you 100 percent, infact I own the Arena Bar & Grill and would certainly build a patio on the river and clean up the garbage area. I would wonder how many hoops I would have to jump through to get approval.
Chuck Miller

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