The French butler who sold razors to build the LeMarchand Mansion
Behind Victoria Park, above the golf course, you can spot the LeMarchand Mansion. Constructed in 1912, its French Beaux-arts style reflects its builder’s desire to build Canada’s most luxurious multi-family dwelling.
The Mansion has a rare recessed entrance with contrasting brick and stone, and its iron balconies evoke the Parisian streetscape. The building once had its own gas plant for heating and cooking. It also boasted one of Edmonton’s first residential elevators.
Rene LeMarchand was a retired French butler who came to Edmonton in 1905. In France, LeMarchand worked for a nobleman who had an eccentric aversion to being shaved by the same blade twice. This was when straight razors could last decades.
When his employer died, LeMarchand inherited the hundreds of slightly used straight razors. After arriving in Edmonton, he sold fruit, china, silver cutlery, and, you guessed it, razors. He eventually became involved in many other business ventures. And when he sought financing for his prestige project, the Mansion, the Paris Waiters Union sent their old colleague some money to help.
So, if you’re ever asked who built the LeMarchand Mansion, you have your answer. The butler did it. https://www.edmontoncommonwealthwalkway.com/history/the-butler-did-it
The dazzling differences between dabbling and deep diving ducks
Gerald Romanchuk photo
As Alberta’s migratory water birds return to the province, you’ll see them out on waterways, feeding and preparing for breeding season in the north. If you stop to watch them long enough, you’ll notice some key differences in behaviour between duck species.
Waterfowl that upend themselves to forage in shallow water, like ponds and puddles, are known as dabbling ducks. When their tail feathers are in the air, their long necks are probing beneath the water, searching for vegetation to feed on.
Dabbling ducks also have the unique characteristic of having an iridescent speculum (rectangular patch of colour) on the dorsal (back) side of their wings. Another distinction is that their feet tend to be smaller than their diving counterparts, and they tend to walk well on land. Examples of dabbling ducks include Mallards, Blue-winged teals, American wigeons, and Gadwalls.
Diving waterfowl, as the name implies, tend to dive for their food. Some divers eat exclusively fish! As a result, these piscivores (fish-eaters) also prefer deeper waters, like deep lakes or rivers, or coastal areas.
Diving ducks tend to have their feet set further back towards their hind ends, so they often don’t move as well on land. They also need to gain momentum on the water’s surface before taking off for flight. Examples of diving ducks include the Canvasback, Goldeneye, and Mergansers.
These two categories of ducks are shaped by their habitats and food sources. They all have one thing in common, however: they require intact habitats to feed, breed, and live. Central Alberta has seen a decline in the water levels of many lakes, and this makes the preservation of wetlands and riparian areas especially crucial. https://www.ealt.ca/blog/fun-facts-dabblers-and-divers
City aims to co-exist with coyotes in new public awareness campaign
Keith Szafranski photo
With coyote denning season underway, the city is expanding a public awareness campaign to help Edmontonians and coyotes co-exist safely. This campaign aims to educate the public on the City's science-backed coyote management strategies.
"Coyotes are a natural part of Edmonton's ecosystem, and we strive for coexistence," said John Wilson, Director, Animal Care and Park Rangers. "Our approach is science-based, prioritizing humane hazing techniques to modify coyote behaviour and discourage them from approaching humans and pets. We want to ensure residents feel informed and know what to do during coyote encounters."
The City's methods, which include the use of kinetic impact launchers with inert projectiles, help train coyotes to avoid areas where people are active. Park Ranger Peace Officers stress that understanding coyote behaviour and implementing proactive measures are key to a safe community.
Public safety remains the top priority. Residents are encouraged to be proactive in reducing coyote encounters. Key tips include: securing food sources to avoid attracting coyotes, keeping pets on leash to prevent confrontations, and deterring denning on private property.
It is only necessary to report a coyote sighting if: a coyote bites, nips, or makes physical contact with a pet or person, a coyote is injured or sick and cannot move, or if an individual is feeding the coyote. Lethal removal is only considered as a last resort when absolutely necessary.
Statistics show that while the number of coyote complaints has increased slightly, the number of lethal removals due to aggressive or predatory behavior remains low. In 2024, there were 1,694 total complaints and 25 removals, with 53 aggressive complaints. Find more information on the City's coyote management strategies here edmonton.ca/coyotes.
An opportunity to give back to the trails that give us so much!
Our river valley trails provide us with endless adventure, fresh air, and a connection to nature—but they need our help to stay clean and beautiful. Join the RVA Spring Trail Cleanup and make a difference in the places we all love.
Over the winter, litter and debris build up along the trails, affecting the environment and the experience for everyone who enjoys them. By lending a hand, you're helping keep these spaces safe, clean, and welcoming for hikers, bikers, runners, and nature lovers alike.
The spring clean-up will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (you can drop in anytime to grab a cleanup kit). The volunteer appreciation BBQ is from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM. The location is Emily Murphy Park – folks will meet at Picnic Site 1.
All supplies will be provided and all ages are welcome. This will surely be a great way to meet fellow trail lovers. Sign up using the link below. Your registration helps the RVA prepare the right number of cleanup kits (and hot dogs). https://rivervalley.ab.ca/events/rva-spring-trail-cleanup-989/
ERVCC shines a light on the downfalls of bike skills park project in the RV
Megan writes “I was very disappointed to read the article about the ERVCC’s opposition to the Edmonton Bike Park. This is a very small section of our river valley where an addition of this sort makes great use of an open area. It's proximity to the Kinsmen Leasure centre and the river valley means increased use for our beautiful trails. I have followed the ERVCC's stance on this bike park, and frankly, it doesn't seem like they want it to be built ANYWHERE. A park like this will keep the most inexperienced riders and those learning off the trails where they may cause damage. The Edmonton Mountain Biking Association aims to use this park to promote raising responsible bike riders who are as involved in conservation as other NGO's and filled with a respect for our river valley. Multi use trails are meant for people engaged in all sorts of locomotion! A bike park will mean less random things being built in the river valley by people who may not be as contentious about building in a safe and sustainable way.”
Matt shares “The petition has a lot of misinformation, typical of the ERVCC. The bike park is being built in the former wastewater treatment plant area. It’s an empty field full of weeds and invasive species. How come we don’t see articles in favour of the MTB community? Or the wonderful work EMBA is doing?”
Broken Families Monument by Memi von Gaza, Grant Notley Park https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/broken-families-monument
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