Hawrelak park closure and construction plan continues
Executive Committee’s agenda on March 23, includes agenda item William Hawrelak Park – Environmental Impact Assessment and Site Location Study. Council approval is needed so construction can begin in 2023. The current construction plan includes a full park closure for a duration of up to 3 years.
This would start in spring 2023 with most of the work being completed by fall 2024. Many people are concerned about this lengthy loss of park space. The city says although a full park closure is impactful, it allows the best opportunity to minimize park downtime for day users and avoid impacts to festival organizers over an extended period of years as in a staged approach.
Hawrelak Park opened in 1967 and is the most intensively used park in Edmonton. Prior to the park opening, the area served as a gravel pit in the 1950s. Small portions of the park are located within the City’s Flood Protection Overlay.
Members of the public may participate at Committee meetings in person or remotely. To present, contact the City Clerk at city.clerk@edmonton.ca or 780-496-8178. Executive Committee begins at 9:30am on March 23.
To read the three reports, click on agenda item 6.4 at
https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=ab98dfb3-b8d3-487a-b0d2-370c6fbd308b&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English
Edmonton region national urban park process formally begins
On March 10, Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Edmonton MP, announced the launch of the pre-feasibility phase to explore the creation of a national urban park in the Edmonton region.
Parks Canada and the City of Edmonton will work closely with Indigenous partners to ensure that a national urban park in the Edmonton region showcases Indigenous stewardship, voices, and stories, and offers opportunities for connections to the land and water based on Indigenous knowledge and values.
A national urban park in the Edmonton region will mean better access to quality green space for Edmontonians and promote better mental and physical wellbeing as people spend more time in nature. It would also create jobs, strengthen the local economy, and compliment the City of Edmonton’s tourism.
For nature, urban green spaces provide habitat for animals, including species at risk, and can serve as crucial corridors for wildlife. They are great examples of nature-based climate solutions, helping to cool cities and absorb rainwater during extreme weather events. They can contribute to Canada’s climate change objectives by sequestering carbon, and to Canada’s commitment to conserve 25 per cent of its lands and waters by 2025, working toward 30 percent by 2030. Watch announcement at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heIW6MiECfE
Howling coyote sculpture part of the fun at this playground
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, more commonly known as Laurier Park, is named after Canada’s eighth Prime Minister. Its amenities include a natural playground, which was the first of its kind in Edmonton. The elongated playscape features the iconic howling coyote sculpture alongside a timber tower, multiple log climbers and other kinetic play pieces.
The desire for a natural play space evolved through public engagement with neighbourhood residents. Neighbours indicated a strong preference for natural materials and non-prescriptive play opportunities.
The one-of-a-kind howling coyote is a unique sculptural play piece to represent a prevalent predator in the River Valley. The design of the coyote maximizes play value in a relatively small footprint. Children can explore the inside of the canine as well as crawl and climb up multiple routes on the exterior of the sculpture. Learn more about the playground at https://www.earthscapeplay.com/project/sir-wilfrid-laurier-park-edmonton-coyote-playground/
Gray Catbird able to mimic other birds
Eric writes “When Environmental Impact Assessments were done for the Funicular and Valley LRT, they showed a fairly high incidence of bird life on the north bank, which was covered with shrubbery. The grey catbird was identified as one of the birds occupying the north bank of the river. Both projects, which are close to each other, required the removal of shrubbery. Unfortunately, measuring cumulative effects was not one of the features of either of the EIAs. One hopes the modernization of the river valley ARP process will correct this.”
An Ode to Spring
Vicky says “My son took this video https://youtu.be/-hwo4uKeESw in Spring 2021 at Beaverhill Lake, approximately 60 km southeast of Edmonton. Beaverhill Lake formerly drained through a creek in its north end to the North Saskatchewan River, but no longer due to recent drought conditions. Conservation of wetlands is so important; more than 20,000 shorebirds land on this lake annually. I call this video An Ode to Spring.”
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