River valley ski club sees massive growth
Skiers are flocking to the Edmonton Nordic Ski Club's 12 kilometres of interconnected trails in Gold Bar, Goldstick, and Capilano Parks in east Edmonton. Club president Jim Rickett says membership has grown to 1,300, 50 per cent more people than last year.
Club head coach Ulf Kleppe says Edmonton is “one of the few cities in Canada that I can think of that has ski trails right in the middle of the city. When the pandemic hit we thought, Oh, that's going to be it for our sport, numbers are going to dwindle, but the exact opposite happened. It was an explosion."
“People are digging out skis collecting dust in the garage, while first timers and families are snapping up lesson spaces,” Kleppe says. "When there are so many other pressures, due to the pandemic, it's a release, you're able to do something.”
"We've got more skiers, walkers, snowshoers, people on bikes, people with cameras out enjoying nature. All in all, the numbers have grown. There's lots of space but there's lots more activity down here." Learn more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ulf-kleppe-jim-rickett-dave-storey-edmonton-nordic-ski-club-ski-1.5872416
Is the river valley being loved to death?
In a recent opinion piece, naturalist P.J. Cotterill states the river valley is not just an urban park for the benefit of people; it is supposed to be a natural corridor for wildlife. She wonders if it could it be in danger of being loved to death.
Edmonton’s river valley and ravines have seen an unprecedented influx of human visitors this past year as COVID has kept more people at home and children out of school. Parking lots have overflowed, trails have become cyclist and pedestrian highways, side trails have been redefined, and dogs have never had so much exercise.
But has any thought been given to the carrying capacity of the river valley? It harbours the greater part of Edmonton’s native plant diversity. The city’s own Natural Connections Strategic Plan recognizes the North Saskatchewan River Valley as a regional biodiversity core, connecting other core biodiversity areas.
Although exacerbated temporarily by COVID, the trend towards increased recreational use of the river valley has been in effect for the last few years and will continue as the city’s population grows. Cotterill says more green spaces are needed in city uplands to allow more equitably distributed access across the city and to take the pressure off the river valley.
The city could promote a re-wilding of district and pocket parks or school yards. Too many are boring and barren tracts of green turf traversed by asphalt trails, lacking human or wildlife interest and ecosystem function. These areas need to be forested, to create areas for children to play in, or for interpretation and education, or developed as vegetable or pollinator gardens. Read the complete piece at https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-is-edmontons-river-valley-being-loved-to-death
Virtual Canadian Birkie open to all
Cannot travel but still want to experience the Canadian Birkie? In this pandemic year, the Canadian Birkebeiner Society has set up a new event to promote an active winter lifestyle. The Virtual Canadian Birkie offers everyone an opportunity to participate in the Canadian Birkie.
This ten-day event takes place from February 12 to 21. You can classic ski, skate ski, roller-ski, skijor, cycle, run, ice skate, snowshoe, or walk in a 4, 8, 13, 31 or 55 kilometre event. You can go at your own pace, at your own place!
You are invited to join thousands of people around the world completing the Canadian Birkie virtually. Pricing, prizes, registration, and information on the Most Kilometre Group Award at https://canadianbirkie.com/virtual-birkie/
River valley contributions 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