City’s outdoor rinks opening
The City of Edmonton has opened outdoor rinks in Victoria Park, The Meadows Community Recreation Centre, and near Shelter 2 in William Hawrelak Park, with more to open in the coming weeks.
Government of Alberta public health measures will be in place inside pavilions and washrooms. Their capacities are limited to 30 per cent of fire code with masking and physical distancing required. While there are no capacity restrictions on ice surfaces, the provincial public health measures still require everyone to maintain two-metre physical distancing.
More rinks will open in the coming weeks depending on weather conditions:
Victoria Park Iceway: December 4
Jackie Parker Park rink: December 20
Castle Downs Park rink: December 20
Rundle Park outdoor rinks/Iceway: Mid-December
City Hall Plaza skating rink: Mid-December
William Hawrelak Park Lake: Late December-early January
More information on when outdoor rinks and skating surfaces will open is at https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/outdoor-ice-rinks
Margaret Chappelle - the artist who saved MacKinnon Ravine
Margaret Chappelle’s passions were art and nature. When she was 32, Margaret decided to study fine art at the University of Alberta. She developed a career as an accomplished artist, both in Alberta and internationally.
When the beauty of the natural landscape met the relentless grind of urban progress, she began an 18-year-long battle to protect MacKinnon Ravine, and Edmonton’s river valley. A plan approved by city council in 1964, proposed a six-lane highway running directly behind Margaret’s Grovenor backyard.
Margaret Chappelle’s legacy extends far beyond the long battle to save the ravine. Her fight was for beauty, for life, for all of Edmonton’s natural spaces, which are threatened over and over again. Her words ring as true today as they did in that first full-throated declaration, urging us to defend the river valley and its ravines, Edmonton’s crown jewels.
“To keep our parkland will require a watchdog attitude and a crusading spirit of all Edmontonians,” she said. “No amount of money is large enough to buy back any ravine… What are we building, a city to accommodate more and faster machines? Or to accommodate more and better people? Let us take the firm stand—our parklands are inviolate.”
Today, MacKinnon Ravine is a haven for hikers, bikers, joggers, and skiers – but not drivers. Learn more at https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2021/11/02/margaret-chappelle-the-artist-who-saved-the-mackinnon-ravine/
Canada wild rye a versatile native plant, but dangerous to dogs
The erect or arching stems of this perennial grow 2-4 ft. tall. Spike-shaped seed heads of oat-like seeds with long, bristly awns, cause the stems to bend and droop. Canada wild rye establishes easily, providing quick initial cover. It is a versatile, cool-season plant, requiring little to no maintenance. It displays heavy, whiskery, nodding seed heads in early fall.
It will mature in the first or second year while other prairie grasses and flowers are still developing. The beautiful curving seed heads resemble cultivated rye. Canada wild rye grows on practically any soil, including bare sand, gravel, and raw clay subsoil. This is a good bunchgrass for partly shady prairie plantings.
Its wildlife uses includes nesting material and seeds for birds and small mammals. Cut seed stalks are used in dried arrangements. Do not use this grass in areas frequented by dogs. The barbed seed husks of this species pose a threat of severe eye injuries to dogs. More info at https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=elca4
Help create a lasting river valley legacy
Sandra writes “The green of the trails circling Edmonton are fantastic. How can I make certain that the ponds in Rundle Park are maintained and filled next year? I called relentlessly this past season. Many did and we were successful! If you have any suggestions, I will follow through for next year! The Waxwing photo is exquisite in today’s email news!”
Red Panda at the Edmonton Zoo
Comment or contribution
If you have a comment, concern, or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com Please also email us river valley photos or event information. Your friends, neighbours and colleagues can sign up for this newsletter on our web site https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712