Private golf courses open for free winter public use
Both the Highlands and Royal Mayfair river valley golf courses are available for free public use during the winter Both private courses lease their properties from the City as this land is publicly owned by Edmontonians.
I walk regularly with my dog through the Highlands course which is also used for cross-country skiing and tobogganing. I have not yet been to Royal Mayfair, though word is it is absolutely the prettiest spot to ski in Edmonton with gently rolling hills and a sheltered path through forest glades.
Particularly during this pandemic, more space for Edmontonians to enjoy winter in the river valley is appreciated. Exercise your right to bright sunshine, cold weather and the white snow of our Ribbon of Green. Recent winter history for the Royal Mayfair course at https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/elise-stolte-best-kept-ski-secret-public-benefit-not-so-public-at-mayfair-golf-course
Touch the water promenade feedback wanted
The City is exploring ways to improve access to the central river valley with Touch the Water Promenade. If the project moves forward, it will include opportunities to celebrate heritage, encourage recreation and connect people with nature.
Touch the Water focuses on a central stretch of the north bank along the North Saskatchewan River Valley in two connected areas. One area is adjacent to the Rossdale neighbourhood and the other is upstream of the river, along River Valley Road to Government House Park.
Two concepts have been developed for how people might use or experience the space that runs along that stretch of the river because Edmontonians have said they want improved access to the river valley and the river itself.
From November 9 to 30, City is seeking feedback on what parts of the draft concept design options you like best, what is missing and what should be improved. Engage at https://www.edmonton.ca/projects_plans/parks_recreation/north-shore-promenade.aspx?utm_source=virtualaddress&utm_campaign=touchthewater
Edmonton explores ban on feeding wildlife
Residents surrounding Edmonton’s river valley are urging the city to clamp down on feeding wildlife as coyote interactions increase.
If approved by council, fines up to $500 could be doled out for feeding coyotes, other wildlife on public property, as well as wildlife on private property that leads to a public safety risk or nuisance condition in the neighbourhood. A fine could also be levied for not properly managing wildlife attractants on private property, such as compost bins or fallen fruit, that lead to a public safety risk.
City officials told council’s community and public services committee the proposed bylaw amendments are meant to address extreme situations and not meant to dissuade the practice of bird feeding. These new restrictions and associated fines would better allow enforcement officers to respond to calls for service and deal with nuisance conditions associated with wildlife and human behaviour.
The city doesn’t have any bylaws explicitly pertaining to feeding of wildlife, which isn’t in line with many other municipalities with diverse wildlife. In Calgary, causing distress or harm to any wildlife in a park, including feeding, is subject to a minimum $200 fine. Read more at https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/feeding-wildlife-bylaw
kisiskâciwanisîpiy, or when is a beach
In an evocative call-and-response audio collaboration, the 2020-21 and 2019-20 UofA English & Film Studies Writers-in-Residence J.R. Carpenter and Darrin Hagen offer images, memories, and impressions from along the banks of kisiskâciwanisîpiy, the North Saskatchewan River.
Darrin has received seven Sterling Awards for his work in theatre. His writing debut was the award-winning memoir The Edmonton Queen. Darrin was honoured as an Edmontonian of the Century for the city’s centennial.
J.R. writes and works across live performance, print, and digital media. Her web-based work The Gathering Cloud won the New Media Writing Prize in 2016. Her print collection An Ocean of Static was highly commended by the Forward Prizes 2018. Enjoy this audio piece at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk8sTZrx6AU&feature=youtu.be
River valley concern or question
If you have a river valley concern or question, contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Your friends and neighbours can sign up for this newsletter at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
If you have a photo, information, news or event about Edmonton’s river valley and think it should be in this newsletter, email it to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/
Facebook @NSRVCS
Instagram @nsrvcs