A homeowner in Riverdale has caused controversy by putting up a chain link fence around her property.

It is one of the few remaining river-front lots in the city, extending all the way from the streetside to an embankment on the shores of the North Saskatchewan River.

The property is crossed by what was, until very recently, a popular walking and biking trail that runs parallel to the river.

But now that trail has been blocked by a six foot tall fence, erected a few days ago by the property owners who say they were concerned for their safety.

Tania Nordli said she was sad to build the fence around her property, but was scared for her family's safety. (CBC)

Tania Nordli and her family have owned the lot for seven years.

Nordli, who is a mother to three boys with one more child on the way, said she was thrown to the ground by a dog-walker who was crossing her property two weeks ago.

She reported the incident to the police but was told there was little they could do.

"The police actually did advise after I had reported it that I'll probably need to fence," she said. "That they can't protect me."

And this wasn’t the first time that Nordli has had problems with trail users, she said.

She says she has been sworn at while gardening along the trail and one of her children was bitten by an off-leash dog.

"We had signs saying people are welcome to cross if its at their own risk, following all bylaws — including all dogs on leash — and with an attitude of respect that it is private property," she said. "They’d be frequently ripped down."

And, says Nordli, many of the people who caused her the most trouble are the same people who are now most opposed to her fence.

"I understand people being upset .... however, I think people also need to be respectful of bylaws and private property," she said. "It’s the people who have been disrespectful and who are most upset now that actually caused the fence to go up."

Nordli said she is disappointed that it has come to this point.

"I really felt sad to have to fence for my safety," she said Sunday.

Some trail users frustrated

Nordli said many trail users don’t realize that she is within her rights to erect the fence, which falls within the designated property lines.

But that hasn’t stopped joggers and bicyclists who once frequented the trail from expressing their frustration

"If you weren’t a fan of sharing your space, perhaps you shouldn’t have purchased the property to begin with?" suggested jogger Jennifer Kowton, who had to turn around mid-jog on Sunday when she ran into the fence.

The path was already there when Nordli purchased the land, Kowton added, so the owners should have been prepared to share.

Although heavily used, the trail in question is technically closed, with both entrances marked by signs like these. (CBC)

Andrew Rosychuk agrees.

"[It’s] just appalling," he said, " — the moral code that someone could just lock off so many people’s joy, in many ways."

The path is one of the older river valley trails in Edmonton, and is technically closed to the public — with signs warning of danger due to erosion posted at either end.

Making a deal

Nordli said the city has offered to make a deal to make part of her land public and has previously offered her the lot adjacent to the upper portion of her own property in exchange. But, she said, they were also asking for thousands of dollars for the upper lot, and would not permit her to build or park on it.

She passed on the deal, and says they have not approached her with an offer in the years since.

"I’m open to negotiation but it needs to be fair," she said, adding that the previous owners had also been approached over the years but similarly refused the city’s offers.