National Urban Park initiative recommended to proceed to planning stage
On July 12, Council’s Urban Planning Committee will discuss a recommendation that Edmonton proceed to the planning stage of the National Urban Park initiative. Since 2022, the City of Edmonton, Parks Canada and Indigenous partners have explored the possibility of designating a national urban park in the Edmonton region.
A national urban park would provide an opportunity to contribute to biodiversity protection and climate change adaptation, provide access and recreation opportunities for current and future Edmontonians and visitors, and support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
The planning phase will develop a park vision, refine its boundaries, determine a governance model, begin more detailed planning, and facilitate potential access to federal funding to support the development of the national urban park. The planning stage would not commit the City to designating a national urban park.
The report and attachments going to the committee are at https://pub-edmonton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=646222f3-1d97-40da-a9af-429d5cc5b71e&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English&Item=24&Tab=attachments
Speeding motorboat in Whitemud Creek prompts investigation
River valley users and officials are reacting after a video surfaced on social media of a motorboat speeding down Whitemud Creek. The area is a wildlife corridor, home to various types of fish, birds, and animals, and is widely used by canoeists and kayakers. Video shows the boat with multiple people on board narrowly missing a canoe travelling in the opposite direction.
"The point where the jet boat goes past the individual in the canoe, it appears to me to be within a foot and a half, maybe two feet at the most, and the canoeist was tucked right into the bank. That doesn’t give much room for safety," said naturalist Wayne Oakes who not only worries about the people that use the creek, but the animals who live there.
"It's not uncommon to see deer in the middle of the creek, moose, all kinds of waterfowl, beaver, muskrat. They don't have the ability to quickly get out of the way when something is zooming up the creek." He says motorized boats should stick to the river. "With a great, big, beautiful open river just a few metres downstream from us, that's the place for your big, high-powered vessels. Not up a little, tiny, picturesque creek like the Whitemud."
The Edmonton Police Service and the city of Edmonton's Marine Unit are investigating the incident.
RVA trail walk with the Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society
Join the River Valley Alliance and the Fort Saskatchewan Naturalist Society on Saturday, July 29 from 10am to Noon as they walk a trail from the Sheep Shack at the Fort Heritage Precinct to an area near the new Hwy 15 Bridge.
The walk will include descriptions of the dozens of natural plants, shrubs, trees, and berries that grow in the community. The trail is also habitat for birds of many species and their nests. Along the trail we will search for a tree to place a bird house donated by the Naturalist Society.
The walk is 2.2km on paved trail and will be walked at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to take in nature and snap photos. Space is limited. Free registration and event information at
Thank You
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Pumpkins and Moons by Ken Macklin, Belgravia Art Park. DCM Photography. https://www.edmontonpublicart.ca/#!/details/118
Comment or contribution
Please note that articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the wide variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley. Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712