River Valley News - Feb 2, 2023

Let’s rethink Hawrelak Park plan

At its Jan 31 meeting, Council passed a motion “That Administration provide a report to committee with lessons learned on changes to the scope of the environmental impact on mature trees and share the plan for tree management for the William Hawrelak Park Rehabilitation project.”

That same day, an opinion piece in the Edmonton Journal argued the public should have the opportunity to respond to recent news that the Hawrelak Park rehabilitation project proposes to cut down 220 trees. The authors stated if a park project requires the cutting of 220 trees, then there’s a problem with that project and it should not proceed.

According to Kristine Kowalchuk and Lloyd Cardinal, the tree-cutting plan was not included in the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) that city council approved in spring 2022. The park is scheduled for closure on March 13, and the tree cutting would begin shortly thereafter.

There is also concern that the city’s Indigenous Relations Office “confirmed that targeted engagement with Indigenous communities would not be required given that the park is a developed, manicured park with limited natural areas.”

In other words, since Hawrelak Park is not “wild,” no Indigenous engagement was required. How is this acceptable when the entire river valley is an important cultural area? The EIA itself notes that the area has a “high potential to contain a historic resource.” Opinion piece at https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-lets-reconsider-hawrelak-park-construction-project

Elegant railway station heralded YEG’s connection to the world

In 1905, the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) reached Edmonton just as Alberta became a province. The rail line crossed the North Saskatchewan River at Fort Saskatchewan, coming into the city from the northeast, following the present-day LRT track to the new railway station on the northwest corner of First St and Mackenzie Ave, today’s 101 St & 104 Ave.

Edmontonians had been anticipating their own railway station since the first train steamed into Strathcona in 1891. Strathcona arose when the first railway north from Calgary terminated at the south riverbank, much to the chagrin of the town of Edmonton on the north side, and to the delight of southsiders who quickly formed a burgeoning rival community.

The CNoR station, completed at a cost of $35,000, was one of the largest stations west of Winnipeg. The red-brick and Tyndall stone structure became a picturesque Edmonton landmark. Under a veranda with projecting eaves, typical of the Prairie style of architecture, passengers found waiting rooms, ticket offices, baggage room, and stores. The second floor accommodated offices and the living quarters for the station agent.

Demand for rail service in Edmonton grew and in 1928 a new station was built. The 1905 station was then used for office space and a bunkhouse for trainmen, before it was demolished to make way for a modern freight terminal building in 1952. More photos https://www.edmontonsarchitecturalheritage.ca/index.cfm/structures/canadian-northern-railway-station-1905/

Scattering cremated remains permitted in YEG open waterways

(Mack Male Photo)

In 2019, the Province of Alberta announced it was no longer prohibiting the scattering of cremated remains in waterways. The City of Edmonton decided to align with the Province's decision and allow the scattering of cremated remains in open waterways. This includes the North Saskatchewan River as well as any creek and ravine.

This practice is open to everyone at no cost during park hours and is an opportunity for Edmontonians of all cultural heritages to honour their loved ones. Family members can be true to their cultural and spiritual heritage and honour their deceased family members without worrying about breaking the law.

For ceremonies with attendees of 50 or more, a permit must be obtained. Scatterings are only allowed from May to October due to safety around the North Saskatchewan River and ravines.

The North Saskatchewan River, ravines and creeks are the only open waterways within Edmonton boundaries, and the only place the public can scatter cremated remains in the city. Scattering in closed waterways like ponds and lakes in parks and stormwater ponds is not permitted. Information at https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/parks_rivervalley/scattering-cremated-remains-in-waterways

Paskwamostos by Joe Fafard, Lookout deck on the south side of the Edmonton Convention Centre

https://www.edmontonpublicart.ca/#!/details/81

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

River Valley News - Jan 26, 2023

A Little Bit Ritchie podcast celebrates community’s 100th Anniversary

In September 2022, the Ritchie Community League celebrated its centennial. A unique part of the year long celebration was the podcast A Little Bit Ritchie, which shared stories of the past 100 years of the league and neighbourhood. The seven episodes range from Mill Creek Ravine and Gainers Meatpacking Plant to playgrounds.

The site of the 96th street condos, which overlook Mill Creek Ravine, was once home to the gigantic Gainers slaughterhouse, a keystone of Ritchie’s economic and social landscape. This episode discusses Gainers’ success within the greater context of meatpacking and in relation to the Ritchie community. It also delves into the infamous 1986 Gainers strike.

Did you know that in the early days of the twentieth century, city dwellers across Canada and the United States learned of a new phenomenon that pledged to reduce crime, increase morality, and improve public health, the playground. This episode uncovers how and why playgrounds and park spaces became essential to the health of our neighbourhoods, children, and society. Listen to A Little Bit Ritchie https://www.ritchie-league.com/a-little-bit-ritchie

Protect nature and sustainable ecosystems as an EALT board member

The Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT) is accepting applications to join its Board of Directors. The application deadline is February 12. EALT works to protect natural areas to benefit wildlife and people, and to conserve biodiversity by engaging volunteers and communities. It currently stewards 15 lands in the Edmonton region, with most of these lands open to the public to visit.

EALT is looking for individuals active and engaged in their field or community and have a genuine interest in its vision and mission. You embrace its core values of collaboration, integrity, accountability, and innovation. You have knowledge or experience with boards and non-profits, and are committed to good governance.

The EALT board strives for a governance team that is diverse and has the right mix of characteristics, skills, and experience. Current priorities for board recruitment include emerging leaders and individuals from Edmonton’s diverse Indigenous and cultural communities, the charitable sector, energy and resource sectors, land use planning, environmental planning, communications, and fundraising. Board information https://static1.squarespace.com/static/569ec99b841abaccb7c7e74c/t/63b86d4311889069e10c043d/1673030979202/Join+EALT%27s+Board+of+Directors.pdf

YEG’s first bridge, the Low Level, was built to provide rail service

The prime motivation for building the Low Level Bridge was the need to provide a rail connection between Strathcona and Edmonton. Designed and built in 1900 for rail traffic by the Federal Government, it carried only pedestrians and horses and wagons for its first two years.

The first train, from the Edmonton, Yukon and Pacific Railway (EYPR), crossed the bridge arriving in downtown Edmonton on October 20, 1902. A second 5.1 km track from the bridge to the Canadian Northern Railway, in what is now known as the Edmonton Brewery District, was made in 1905. The railway tracks were removed from the Low Level Bridge in 1954.

One of Edmonton’s most famous pictures is of a train acting as ballast on the Low Level Bridge to prevent it from being washed away during the 1915 flood. More photos https://csce.ca/en/historic-site/edmonton-pacific-and-yukon-railway-and-low-level-bridge/

Silver Skate Festival returns Feb 10-20 to Hawrelak Park

Edmonton’s longest running winter festival celebrates prairie winter life and creates winter experiences for Edmontonians of all ages. The Silver Skate Festival is a free 10-day family-oriented festival that combines culture, art, education, sport, and recreation.

Feel the breeze on your face as you glide along the city's largest skating pond while listening to a tuneful compilation of Edmonton-based music. Marvel at the artistic talent on display in the snow sculpture garden. Be dazzled by roving performers and experience renewal by writing out a fear or a wish to be added to the nightly fire sculpture burn.

Visit the Indigenous pavilion in the heritage village which includes installations, stories, and a Winter Walking Ceremony. Push yourself, or a team comprised of family and friends, to frosty victory in the Duathlon or Winter Triathlon. All types of skate blades and skill levels are welcome. Event information https://silverskate.ca/

Heart of the Valley by Black Artifex, Whitemud Equine Learning Centre https://edmontonpublicart.ca/#!/details/217

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

River Valley News - Jan 19, 2023

Barnebirkie family ski coming to Hawrelak Park

Family ski events for children and their parents will be held February 12 in Hawrelak Park as part of the Silver Skate Festival. Barne is Norwegian for child. This birkie will be an afternoon of family fun with cross-country skiing, games, prizes and fun.

The Birkebeiner legend dates to a 1206 civil war in Norway when two Birkebeiner warriors rescued an infant prince and carried him 55km by skis in the dead of winter to safety. The Birkebeiners, or Birchbarkleggers, got their name from wrapping and tying birch bark around their legs from the knees down, similar to gaiters. This kept the snow out and protected their legs in battle.

Children under 12, when registered with an adult, ski free. Adults accompanying Barnebirkie skiers on the course must be on skis to retain the integrity of the course. The classic technique track set ski course will have races of 500m, 1.5km, or 3km. Registration information at https://canadianbirkie.com/birkie-sunday/

Red Crossbill forages on seeds in pine and spruce cones

A fascinating finch of coniferous woodlands, the Red Crossbill forages on nutritious seeds in pine, hemlock, Douglas-fir, and spruce cones. Their specialized bills allow them to break into unopened cones, giving them an advantage over other finch species. This bird is so dependent upon conifer seeds it even feeds them to its young. Consequently, it can breed anytime it finds a sufficiently large cone crop, even in the depths of winter.

Nests, built mostly by the female, are usually sited in open rather than dense woodlands and are built inside dense foliage, on branches, next to or near the trunk, up to about 70 feet above the ground. Their bulky cup nests are built largely of conifer twigs, with the cup lined with grasses, weeds, seed-pod fibers, lichens, conifer needles, feathers, bark, or hair.

A crossbill's odd bill shape helps it get into tightly closed cones. A bird's biting muscles are stronger than the muscles used to open the bill, so the Red Crossbill places the tips of its slightly open bill under a cone scale and bites down. The crossed tips of the bill push the scale up, exposing the seed inside. More information at https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red_Crossbill/overview

Flying Canoë Volant one of YEG's great winter celebrations

This festival is a creative, interactive, and cultural event that celebrates local history and everything that is great about a long winter's night. It will be February 1–4, beginning at 6pm every evening, in Mill Creek Ravine and La Cité francophone - 8627 Rue Marie-Anne-Gaboury (91 Street).

The Flying Canoë, also known as La Chasse-galerie, is a legend with shared French-Canadian and Indigenous origins. In most reincarnations, it is a tale of voyageurs who make a deal with the devil to make their birch bark canoe fly in order to see their loved ones. However, fate has other plans and they are condemned to fly the skies for all eternity.

This nighttime adventure in Edmonton's French Quarter and along the illuminated trails of the Mill Creek Ravine includes the world class illuminated works of Dylan Toymaker and friends, and many outdoor and indoor stages such as the Flying Canoe Volant Cabaret, la Scène franco, School of Song Cabaret and Café Croissant, and Café Bicyclette's Winter Patio featuring local DJ's and both local and national musical talents. Information at https://www.flyingcanoevolant.ca/

Nocturnal animals that thrive in the dark

Paola Chiovelli writes “Several years ago my husband and I were walking in the Lake Beaumaris Lake District when we spotted a Kangaroo mouse. The photo taken of it in the clover patch shows its back right leg being dragged behind it. Then as it ran away the back left leg was easily seen. These little creatures are nocturnal and only due to the fact it was hurt did we have the opportunity to photograph it. Please add this species to your list of nocturnal animals living within city boundaries.”

Paola Chiovelli photo of Kangaroo mouse.

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