City wants input on new Albion Falls viewing platform and stairs for visitors

The city of Hamilton plans to build a new south viewing platform, stairs, elevated boardwalks, a pedestrian crossover on Mountain Brow Boulevard, and more to bolster safety measures at Albion Falls.

In a media release, the city says it's looking for locals to offer feedback on what they would want out of the south viewing platform.

Other additionswill include:

• Rest areas at the access point, mid-point and end point.
• Benches and signs.
• Restoration planting and seeding.

The city has been trying for years to stop people from falling atits increasingly popular waterfalls, and Albion Falls has been a particular focus.

The number of rope rescues peaked in 2016 and 2017, prompting the city to lay more trespassing tickets. Last year, a firefighter was seriously injured during a rescue attempt.

In 2005, Hamilton built the north viewing platforms, trails and a parking area at Albion Falls.

Since then, the city has partnered with the Hamilton Future Fund board of governors and worked with the Albion Falls stairway task force to investigate the feasibility of the proposed platform.