Valley of Dreams - an article about the River Valley Alliance plans - Page 29

GenWhy? · #**561** Posted **Jul 19, 2021, 4:42 PM**

A 4 metre pathway seems very narrow, no? Are they intending it to be a one-way for bikes? 3 metres is about your standard 2-way bike path width.

DKaz · #**562** Posted **Jul 19, 2021, 6:03 PM**

I assume you're allowing for pedestrians? It would be nice if there were a separate path for pedestrians.

Airboy · #**563** Posted **Jul 21, 2021, 3:10 PM**

Well you will definitely be able to touch the water this next week. Transalta will be doing a water release from the Bighorn dam this week. Should be 3 - 5 days with flows up to 175 cubic meters a second. So maybe a meter or 2 up. Bighorn dam is about 3 flow days upstream of Edmonton.

Hallsy's Toupee · #**564** Posted **Aug 2, 2021, 12:40 AM**

I love the newer and wider SUP across the Groat Bridge (see pic). I also like the newer and wider SUP across the Emily Murphy Park Bridge and the new bike path between Groat Bridge and River Valley Road.

Bravo, City of Edmonton!

Slide · #**565** Posted **Aug 3, 2021, 7:30 PM**

Apparently last day is today to provide feedback on the "Touch the water" project. https://engaged.edmonton.ca/touch-th..._source=CoEweb

Only two comments in the section, but city seems to be playing defense with vague buzzwords

"Engagement feedback and technical study results to date have not been supportive of creating a continuous paved pathway and platform along the water’s edge"

(emphasis by me)

"the intent of the project design is to create a space that is unique to Edmonton"

"there are spaces proposed to get down to the water to touch it, to sit back and enjoy the view and to tie-up a kayak or canoe. Gathering spaces are proposed for get-togethers of different sizes and types. There are also proposed opportunities to play in or near the river, and to learn and experience more about the history of this area of the river valley."

^What is that offering that you can't do today. This project is simply enhancing and improving the mediocre experience currently offered. "There are also proposed opportunities to play in or near the river", more word jumble vagueness.

feepa · #**566** Posted **Oct 25, 2021, 5:24 PM**

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...bald-1.6218670

Quote:

Kristine Archibald casts her gaze across the North Saskatchewan River from the Southwest Anthony Henday Drive underslung pedestrian bridge.

This spot is where the formal Edmonton river valley trail system ends and a gap in the corridor from Fort Saskatchewan to Devon begins, says Archibald, executive director of the River Valley Alliance.

"We need additional funding," Archibald says.

Filling the gap
Established in 2003, the alliance works to preserve, protect and enhance the largest metropolitan river valley park system in the world by connecting the trail system and making it easier for all to access and enjoy.

The alliance acquires funding from all three levels of government and guides and administers projects like the Fort Edmonton and Terwillegar footbridges, the funicular and the Touch the Water Promenade near the old Rossdale power plant.

Its current grant money will run out in 2025 and Archibald says the alliance is now looking ahead to its next project — filling the 26-kilometre gap in the trail system from southwest Edmonton to Parkland County.

"The trail itself is about $18 million and the bridges, of course, don't come cheap," she says.

Archibald estimates it would take $60 to $80 million to close the gap. She believes it could be done in a decade.

The result would be a 100-km continuous trail system to be enjoyed by local residents and as a tourist destination.

'It's a real emotional connection for a lot of people'
4 days ago
2:18
Learn more from Kristine Archibald, the executive director of the River Valley Alliance, about the vision to complete 100 km of trails through the North Saskatchewan River valley. 2:18
You can see more from the river valley trail system on Our Edmonton Saturday at 10 a.m., Sunday at noon and 11 a.m. Monday on CBC TV and CBC Gem.

Ribbon of Green
"Few cities have such a vast area of connected parkland," says Angela Hobson, principal ecological planner with the City of Edmonton.

That's why council approved the Ribbon of Green initiative in 1992, Hobson says.

"Obviously a lot has changed since that time," she says, noting that new challenges like climate change and the biodiversity crisis have emerged. "The city has grown and our approach to planning and environmental protection has evolved."

Edmonton council approves rezoning for river valley solar farm
Green space gems map: 40 outdoor finds in Edmonton
Planning for what the space could look like 20 to 30 years from now is set to wrap up in 2022.

A cyclist rides along a single-track path in Terwillegar Park. (Submitted by Emily Rendell-Watson)
Hobson says it includes guidance for protecting and restoring natural areas and wildlife habitat, and "acknowledging all the cultural value and significance that our river valley has for many Indigenous peoples."

Hobson also says an update will go to the new mayor and city councillors next month about the idea being floated by Parks Canada to make the river valley a new national urban park.

National urban park for city?
Kecia Kerr, executive director of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, northern Alberta chapter (CPAWS), is excited about that idea.

In August, the federal government announced $130 million in funding to create a network of national urban parks.

Edmonton is being explored as a potential location, as are Montreal, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Halifax.

Parks Canada eyes new urban parks in 3 cities — and Saskatoon is one of them
Canada now has 48 national parks, but only one set in an urban environment: Rouge National Urban Park in Toronto.

Parks Canada is starting work on the national urban parks program. In a statement, it said it will work with local authorities, Indigenous partners and stakeholders on the plan over the next five years.

The Terwillegar Park footbridge offers up all sorts of fall photography possibilities. (Harmony Wolgemuth)
Kerr says a national urban park in Edmonton would not be like the Jasper, Banff and Elk Island national parks.

Users wouldn't pay fees, but Kerr says the federal designation and legislation would "increase protection and increase focus on conservation in this really important ecological corridor, while providing those recreational and just general health [and] well-being benefits to anyone that visits the area."

Bill Wells, a board member with the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society, expects discussions on the urban park plan to resume in the next few months, after the federal and municipal elections triggered a pause.

Wells has been in on the conversations taking place for the last year into what it could look like from a conservation, biodiversity, recreation and tourism perspective.

"The hope is we can further enhance the jewel that is the river valley."

Coldrsx · #**567** Posted **Nov 3, 2021, 5:40 PM**

https://edmbikepark.ca

Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) is working to develop a mountain bike skills park. This park will be open to the public and located in central Edmonton’s Queen Elizabeth Park on the site of the former Wastewater Treatment Plant. It will provide a dedicated space for people to learn and practice mountain bike skills, and will include skill-building features and singletrack trails.

Community interest in such a facility, as well as its location and size, were confirmed through a master planning process for Queen Elizabeth Park. City Council approved the Master Plan for the area in 2013.

DKaz · #**568** Posted **Nov 3, 2021, 6:16 PM**

I was shocked Edmonton doesn't have at least 5 MTB skills parks already.

Airboy · #**569** Posted **Nov 3, 2021, 7:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKaz

I was shocked Edmonton doesn't have at least 5 MTB skills parks already.

Tried for a few years but there was always push back. EMBA is a great group and are driving a lot of development for the Valley trails. This will help. Add to the Sherwood park and Devan parks. The one in St Albert was shot down.

feepa · #**570** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 2:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

https://edmbikepark.ca

Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) is working to develop a mountain bike skills park. This park will be open to the public and located in central Edmonton’s Queen Elizabeth Park on the site of the former Wastewater Treatment Plant. It will provide a dedicated space for people to learn and practice mountain bike skills, and will include skill-building features and singletrack trails.

Community interest in such a facility, as well as its location and size, were confirmed through a master planning process for Queen Elizabeth Park. City Council approved the Master Plan for the area in 2013.

I've been working on this project for almost a year now. Pretty excited this is now public.

feepa · #**571** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 2:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airboy

Tried for a few years but there was always push back. EMBA is a great group and are driving a lot of development for the Valley trails. This will help. Add to the Sherwood park and Devan parks. The one in St Albert was shot down.

Before my time with EMBA, the board wasn't very interested in 2013 in pursuing and the city also didn't have any budget for the bike park. Things are much different now, and much better!
More exciting news coming from EMBA and mtb community soon.

s211 · #**572** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 2:40 PM**

It's a shame that the Loam Ranger left Edmonton. I'm sure he'd be a great advocate for this, and he's got tons of followers on Youtube, etc.

feepa · #**573** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 3:13 PM**

his career really took him to canmore and probably into bc later I'd bet.

Lots of excitement about the bike park already.

Airboy · #**574** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 3:16 PM**

That bike park will be in the lower section of the Baby Walter cross course.

Trail development the last number of years has been great. I remember the issues getting any trails developed in the 80s and 90s. That was during the NORBA days long before the CCA. we built quite a few in Terwilliger back then. It seem the only location the city allowed us to develop. I don't think I have hit all the new trails yet. Close but not complete.

feepa · #**575** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 3:59 PM**

^ theyve reached out to emba and the bike park committee. Hopeful to work something in for them as well

Most of the trails being built are great, but still not built legally. Its nearly impossible for EMBA to build new trails legally, and even many of the existing trails, EMBA is not approved to maintain.

https://www.edmmtnbike.ca/ribbon-of-green/

https://www.edmmtnbike.ca/our-concerns/

https://www.edmmtnbike.ca/position-p...lley-planning/

Airboy · #**576** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 4:05 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by feepa

^ theyve reached out to emba and the bike park committee. Hopeful to work something in for them as well

Most of the trails being built are great, but still not built legally. Its nearly impossible for EMBA to build new trails legally, and even many of the existing trails, EMBA is not approved to maintain.

https://www.edmmtnbike.ca/ribbon-of-green/

https://www.edmmtnbike.ca/our-concerns/

https://www.edmmtnbike.ca/position-p...lley-planning/

Been on a few maint crews, but the ones that need the work are probably not listed.

feepa · #**577** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 4:18 PM**

Pretty sure you've been on trail days with me, via Crankys

Airboy · #**578** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 6:57 PM**

DM me.

feepa · #**579** Posted **Nov 4, 2021, 8:38 PM**

Ive turned off DMs on this forum after receiving some nasty stuff that people are too chicken to put out in public

Zoink if you wan

Airboy · #**580** Posted **Nov 5, 2021, 3:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by feepa

Ive turned off DMs on this forum after receiving some nasty stuff that people are too chicken to put out in public

Mattedwards2@gmail.com if you want

Got it,You can delete this now.