River Valley News - November 30, 2023

Zoominescence a festival of light at YEG valley zoo

Zoominescence celebrates light, artistry, imagination, and the strong spirit of our community in the winter. The festival transforms the Edmonton Valley Zoo into a magical wonderland, starting December 1 and ending January 3, 2024.

The festival runs every weekend and for two full weeks around Christmas. Wander through the spectacular exhibition of artistic light installations, sip hot chocolate, interact with performers, take in an animal talk, and enjoy winter life in the North.

Walk-ups are always welcome, but advanced online booking for this popular event is strongly encouraged. Festival information and online booking at https://www.buildingourzoo.com/events/zoominescence/

Hawrelak Park pavilions to be designated a Municipal Historic Resource

Construction of what is now Hawrelak Park began in 1959 on the orders of mayor William Hawrelak. A naturalist at heart, Hawrelak wanted the Saskatchewan River valley to “fit into the overall park development of the City along the lines of the zoo, the golf courses and other picnic areas.” The old Mayfair Dump, a festering, waterlogged gravel pit west of the University, did not. Planning for a new park began in 1955, with funding coming “from the payment of 15 cents every time the city hauled a cubic yard of gravel out of it.”

Opened on Canada Day 1967, Edmonton’s newest “pretty jewel” quickly became “a beehive of activity.” Serving all that was a boathouse for lakeside rentals, a main pavilion including lockers and a concession, and two permanent picnic shelters, a third came in 1973. All four originals opened following its first Canada Day celebration, with the Main Pavilion inaugurated on February 3rd, 1968. 

Architecturally, the pavilions are significant for their Organic Expressionist and West Coast Modernist influences. Maitland, Hucker, and Ricketts write in A Guide to Canadian Architectural Styles that “Expressionism was another approach to modern architecture.” Popularized in the 1960s and ‘70s, it rejected “the rigid form of Internationalism in order to exploit the structural and expressive possibilities of new construction techniques.”

West Coast Modernism drew inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture, the International Style, and Japanese residential design. According to the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, it incorporated “these elements into designs that responded to the climate, terrain and rainforest setting in which they worked,” its use in Prairie Edmonton is something of a welcomed anachronism. A contemporary article of the Journal cited “old Norwegian architecture” as another source of inspiration.

These pavilions remain an iconic feature of Edmonton’s landscape over a half-century later. All five buildings are on the December 5 meeting agenda of Council’s Executive Committee to be designated as a Municipal Historic Resource. https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/hawrelak-park-pavilions

City committed to engaging with you on the National Urban Park

In August, City Council approved moving forward into the planning phase of the national urban park. This phase presents the opportunity to identify a proposed park boundary, vision, governance model, and explore funding opportunities. At the end of the planning phase, Council will determine whether to continue participating in the national urban park initiative.

Engagement will be an important focus during the planning phase, with opportunities for the public, stakeholders, and Indigenous communities to learn about the project and share their perspectives. The focus of engagement will be to provide perspectives on the proposed locations within the river valley and to understand potential impacts and opportunities.

Engagement planning is currently underway for 2024. Sign up to be kept informed at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgmTnvZmYXvMAuWT8qGqW6Y9sH9qVqkrKNPLaDF8mzUshjhg/viewform

On patrol in Edmonton’s river valley

Zain Haji, who was born and raised in Tanzania, came to MacEwan University with the goal of becoming a police officer, but had to change course when some hearing loss made him ineligible. He started exploring other career options. “I looked at becoming a peace officer within the City of Edmonton, and that kind of resonated with me.”

He started his peace officer career in animal control, but his passion for the outdoors led to Haji becoming a park ranger, a position he’s been in for the past six years. “We deal with everything from vehicles operating on park lands, to people cutting down trees, to people building unauthorized trails to picnic site disputes. How I talk to citizens plays a big role in my job,” he says.

Park rangers are the only peace officers with authority on the North Saskatchewan River within the city limits. They patrol the waters to ensure that those using the river are complying with the Canada Shipping Act and are engaging in safe boating practices. “We make sure they have all the safety equipment, life jackets, whistles, throw line, and to ensure they’re licensed,” says Haji.

Haji says that Edmontonians often fail to realize how lucky they are to have access to so much green space. But he sees that starting to change. “The COVID pandemic helped to push people into the river valley. Our river usage has increased almost 50 per cent over the last three years,” says Haji. “Utilize that river valley system. It’s out there, we’re keeping it safe and we want you to enjoy it.” https://www.macewan.ca/campus-life/news/2023/05/news-haji-park-ranger-23/

Afghan Mural by Instant Coffee, Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre. https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/afghan-mural

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

River Valley News - November 23, 2023

Low water level in Edmonton creeks may lead to fish kills

Travis McEwan photo

Whitemud and Blackmud creeks currently have water shortage advisories. These are imposed when stream flows or lake or reservoir levels are lower than normal. That can have an impact on aquatic wildlife, said Mary Ellen Shain, a senior watershed planning coordinator at North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance.

She said low water levels can also mean there are reduced oxygen levels, even before a stream or lake gets seized up by ice. The fish and other creatures in those bodies of water will be using up what oxygen is available to them going into the winter. "If there isn't enough to carry them through the winter, we will end up with fish kills," Shain said.

November has been a drier and warmer month than average, said Terri Lang, a meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, though it did not smash any records. Until this week there had been no precipitation whatsoever recorded at the city centre station at Blatchford and Edmonton airport had recorded just enough precipitation to wet the ground. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/what-low-water-levels-in-edmonton-couldmean-for-fish-this-winter-1.7028203

Ross Acreage in Cloverdale developed after the 1915 flood

The former community of Ross Acreage in Cloverdale developed because of the early industrial development in the area. The 1915 flood ravaged industry in Cloverdale, and as a result the area became a blue-collar residential district.

As Ken Tingley states in "Heart of the City: A History of Cloverdale from Gallagher Flats to Village in the Park", "Unhindered by architectural guidelines and building codes, homes were malleable assets, built in stages, frequently lifted up and moved around, eternal works-in-progress. Building materials were scavenged from the abandoned infrastructure of the preceding industrial era, and local handymen and women recycled it into a hodgepodge of homes of myriad shapes and sizes."

In 1929 the city rezoned Ross Acreage to parkland. People living in the area paid ground rent to the city of $2 per month. In June 1950, the city began work on Connors Hill Road and families living in the affected area of Ross Acreage were given 30 days notice to vacate, with some families given financial assistance to find new homes. By 1956 the rest of the homes in Ross Acreage were demolished, except for one: No. 47 Connors Road.

This little green house with a red roof was built during the First World War. It was purchased by Samuel Rawson in the 1920s. When he died in 1939, his wife Violet and her son Lambert continued to live there. In 1950 when the city was evicting her neighbours, City Engineer A. W. Haddow agreed that she could stay in the home for the rest of her life. She passed away in 1965, and the last home in the Ross Acreage was quietly demolished. https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/edmonton_archives/ross-acreage

Confusion over snow removal plans for river valley stairs

Warning signs have begun popping up at some river valley stairs within the last two weeks, saying, “Slippery surfaces may exist on this recreational trail. Use at your own risk.” Signs warning of “no winter maintenance” have been placed at 34 staircases in the river valley since the end of October.

The City of Edmonton insists snow removal for outdoor stairs isn’t changing. The signs are new but, according to the city, not keeping these stairs cleared of snow and ice is not. But this is not the entire story. At least seven of the 34 staircases with new signage, in fact, were shoveled routinely by the city each of the last two winters.

The city identified seven new locations, plus two others currently closed because of construction, that would no longer be maintained this year because they do not connect to a paved pathway or are made of granular material that can’t be maintained in winter.

These nine staircases are located at Saskatchewan Drive and 74 Avenue, the southeastern edge of Hawrelak Park, Saskatchewan Drive NW west of 7833 Saskatchewan Dr., near 13854 Ravine Dr. NW, southwest of 62 St. Georges Cres. NW, 93A Avenue and 98 Street, Kennedale Bridge, Hermitage Ravine, and Ada Boulevard.

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/blizzard-of-confusion-blows-over-edmontons-snow-removal-plans-for-park-stairs

Thank you for your support

Thank you for your support of River Valley News. Our appeal last week for financial support resulted in donations totalling $3,591.50! If you were going to give but completely forgot, you can still contribute at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/donate

Best Fronds by Stephanie Jonsson, Muttart LRT stop.

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/best-fronds

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

River Valley News - November 16, 2023

River Valley News needs your Support

Kyle Schole photo

You and another 2,500+ people receive our free e-newsletter River Valley News. In 6 years, this newsletter has grown from a publication whose first issue was sent to 300 society members, to a weekly distribution sent to 2,542 Edmontonians.

Though we are a completely volunteer run organization, we need $250 monthly to pay for distribution of River Valley News, our website, and to keep our social media feeds up to date. Our bank account is very low and we need your donation ASAP to pay the bills. Donate now at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/donate

Our communication outreach is vital to NSRVCS and plays a key role in our work. It helped us in our successful campaign to create Big Island Provincial Park. It informs people of our current initiative to create a National Urban Park. It highlights our work with the City of Edmonton on enhanced protection of our river valley and ravine system.

Your support is critical to continuing publication of the River Valley News and our communication outreach. We know you are committed to our work to conserve, protect and preserve Edmonton’s river valley for future generations. Thank you for your financial support! https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

Drone part of land conservation fieldwork and surveys

Edmonton & Area Land Trust (EALT) has added a drone to help in its conservation work. For every new piece of land it secures, EALT conducts fieldwork and surveys to collect information about the species and habitat. This process now includes a drone to capture information from the sky.

Assessing prospective lands to conserve involves securement visits to collect data that can be used for a baseline documentation report as well as funding applications to granting bodies such as the Alberta Land Trust. These visits require surveying the land to assess vegetation communities, human disturbance, observe wildlife, and more.

Wildlife cameras and recording devices such as audio recording units (ARUs) are often placed there for the summer to collect further information. The combination of in-person visits and technology allows for as much data to be collected as possible. The drone allows EALT to survey harder to reach areas, capture photos, and monitor its own conservation lands in new ways.

The drone was made possible by RBC’s Tech for Nature grant, which also supported EALT to purchase more wildlife cameras and ARUs. https://www.ealt.ca/blog/october-field-notes-2023

Plains bison may be key in helping the prairie hold onto water

Plains bison have an ingrained capacity to boost biodiversity. An adult bison eats about 11kg of grass a day. The prairie grasses adapted to their foraging. Vegetation across the plains uses the nutrients in their dung. Birds pluck their fur from bushes to insulate their nests.

Bison also literally shape the land. They roll in the dust and create indentations known as wallows that hold water after rainstorms. After the bison move on, insects flourish in these pools and become a feast for birds and small mammals. Pronghorn antelope survive by following their tracks through deep winter snows.

Although rivers and streams cover less than 2% of the prairie, they are crucial refuges for its wildlife. Hila Shamon's research shows increase in vegetation and bird diversity on creeks where bison have replaced cattle. She also found more deer and elk.

Other studies show that year-round, low-density grazing by bison is associated with more variety in woody vegetation heights and more native plant diversity in riparian areas than seasonal grazing by cattle. Well-vegetated creeks are the prairie's lifeblood.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231102-why-grazing-bisoncould-be-good-for-the-planet

Farmer markets resilient throughout Edmonton’s history

Farmer markets provide important access to local food and horticultural products. In 1900, eight years after Edmonton first became a town, the Edmonton Public Market opened. In 1903, the market moved to Market Square, now the site of the Stanley A. Milner library.

The goods available at the market ranged from coal to more familiar market goods like vegetables and meat. The market expanded beyond a place of local commerce to become a local gathering place. While it was open every day of the week except for Sunday, the market was at its most bustling on Saturdays, shoppers purchased ingredients for their Sunday suppers and prepared for the week ahead.

In 1916 the city built an all-weather structure to house the market, and in 1933 an annex was added in which six permanent stalls were housed. This success continued until the end of the 1940s. Through politically and economically challenging times, Edmontonians remained invested in the success of their market.

An emphasis on progress and modernisation throughout the 1950s and ‘60s meant hard times for the City Market. Edmonton’s focus shifted from local to international, and a quaint farmers’ market located so close to City Hall was seen as an embarrassment. https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2014/10/03/the-city-market/

Urban green space can help local wildlife deal with climate change

Colleen emailed “That was a brilliant framing of the climate change study for application to Edmonton; thank you. I enjoyed the post about J.J. Belanger as well. But what a worrisome story about the attack at Louise McKinney Park. I appreciate the fact-based emphasis of that article, without sensationalism or invocation of the broader inner-city issues at play.  I so enjoy the synthetic, succinct writing and breadth of interesting stories and information in the newsletter.”

River valley assault in Louise McKinney Park creates fear and questions

Mark comments “Thanks for another interesting newsletter. Your article sharing Lucy's experience of assault in Louise McKinney Park was disturbing, but my sadness turned to anger when I read the police response to attacks of this nature. Their advice does nothing to address safety in public spaces.

Looking over our shoulder, walking in groups, and carrying a whistle doesn't make us safe when attackers have weapons or can simply prowl in larger groups. Heightened awareness only creates a culture where fear becomes normalized. Only when we address the root cause of the attack can we create a safer society.

It was their fourth tip that really made me mad - the suggestion that we carry concealed weapons. Meagre attempts at self-protection promote vigilantism and will take us down a dark road. Only when we care for one another enough to address the root cause of extreme behaviour will we achieve a safe society.”

Development proposal along Whitemud ravine ridge between Grandview and Landsdowne

Carole writes “Is the Whitemud ravine considered part of the river valley conservation area? If so, is your group aware of the West240 proposal to develop along the ridge of the ravine between Grandview and Landsdowne. I thought that there were restrictions in place to protect our ravines and river valley from erosion caused by commercial and residential development above the valleys along the ridges. I am appalled by the proposal for development by the West240 group.”

Untitled by Eugene Uhuad, Digital Photograph at Clareview Community Recreation Centre.

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/untitled-4

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