Public backlash over a new concrete retaining wall and safety railing at the Eagle Lake Narrows has escalated from social media debate to a challenge of Machar Township’s engineering choices and public transparency.
Sophia Karadov, member of the Eagle Lake Narrows Facebook group, asked questions regarding the process of the retaining wall project. Almaguin News sent the questions to Machar Township.
The township provided the following clarifications regarding its engineering standards, design decisions and future plans for the site.
Here is the Q&A:
Q: If the railing was added later, does that mean the township paid for non-compliant drawings? And if the missing railings were a code violation, how sound were the rest of the drawings?
A: The retaining wall and railing were designed and reviewed in accordance with applicable building and engineering standards. The railing addition reflected final safety and code compliance requirements and does not indicate deficiencies in the overall design.
Q: The railings are cemented in the rocks, which will inevitably shift with time and could start snapping the railing. How safe is that going to be, and where is the funding going to come from to repair them?
A: The railings are securely installed into engineered rock material and, like all municipal infrastructure, will continue to be monitored and maintained through regular asset management and operational budgeting.
Q: If the intent was to protect the 200-year-old trees from erosion, and according to the mayor the erosion was undermining their stability, how will these trees fare now with a sizable portion of their root systems removed to make room for the stone wall? Where is the arborist report that shows that the roots can be cut and the trees will still be healthy and stable?
A: No arborist report was required for this project. Retained trees were preserved and root systems of retained trees were not intentionally cut. The project was undertaken specifically to stabilize the shoreline and protect the area from ongoing erosion concerns that had worsened significantly following the 2019 high water event.
Q: It’s 2026; antierosion protection design has moved beyond dropping a bunch of stones on a beach. What alternatives to the stone wall were considered, and why were they evidently rejected?
A: Alternative shoreline stabilization methods were considered; however, the retaining wall option was selected by the previous council as it minimized the project footprint, retained more usable park space, and best balanced long-term stability, safety, cost, and preservation of the site.
Q: Public consultation means outreach to the community to communicate the intention of the project and the designs under consideration. Consultation is not hoping people show up to council meetings. How would they show up to these meetings if they have no idea the project will be discussed? Were information and designs of the project posted in the news section of the township website?
A: Council is elected to make decisions on behalf of the community and must balance public input with progress, innovation, environmental realities, safety, operational feasibility, and long-term municipal responsibility.
Municipal transparency can be achieved through many methods beyond social media, including public council meetings, published agendas and minutes, local newspaper notices, newsletters, municipal websites, public reports and direct communication with residents.
The tender ad was posted to the website and was featured in the initial pop-up throughout the tender window, after many years of making reference to the project in meeting minutes as well as in the 2025 Budget Statement. Notifying the public is a delicate balance of sharing projects that get the “go ahead” and not the projects that don’t make it off the ground. Council and staff are always open to suggestions on how to share its enthusiasm with the public.
Q: The beach is no longer accessible to people with disabilities or mobility issues.
A: Accessibility remains important to the township. It is important to note that historically, the bank separating the park area from the beach itself has never been fully accessible due to the natural terrain and changing shoreline conditions. Accessibility improvements and site enhancements will continue to be reviewed. The township has recently submitted an application under the Enhancing Access to Spaces Program (EASE) grant program. The proposed project includes replacement of the existing access ramp, installation of a sidewalk, and a concrete pad to improve access.
By Sarah Cooke, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Original Published on May 22, 2026 at 14:59
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