River Valley News - December 14, 2023

YEG 2023 Christmas bird count on Sunday, December 17

Gerald Romanchuk photo

The Edmonton Nature Club sponsors the Edmonton count. This traditional citizen-science project contributes information to an immense database managed and analyzed by Birds Canada and the National Audubon Society. Thousands of Christmas counts occur around the world.

The Edmonton count has been conducted 65 times from 1906 to 2013, and continuously since 1955. Only one Christmas bird count has ever had over 1000 participants: Edmonton. We hold the world record for number of participants, for any count, anywhere, which was 1288 participants in December 1987. 

Volunteers can participate in two ways. Feeder watchers tally birds in their yard and teams of counters, referred to as bush beaters, scour the city to gather information on bird numbers. If you would like to join the Christmas bird count, check out https://www.edmontonchristmasbirdcount.ca/participate.html

UCP MLA private member bill 204 seeks to block Edmonton and Canada national urban park initiative

Leduc-Beaumont MLA Brandon Lunty has introduced private members’ Bill 204, the Municipal Government (National Urban Parks) Amendment Act. He claims his bill will protect and defend Albertans’ interests when it comes to the creation and development of these parks in their communities, as currently the federal government can bypass the province and work directly with municipalities on national urban parks.

“It is concerning that the Government of Alberta would let its battles with the federal government block municipalities from participating in an initiative simply focused on enabling Albertans greater local access to protected nature areas.” said Linda Duncan, speaking on behalf of the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society.

In a public letter, several organizations wrote “we are surprised and dismayed by this action as the province has had representation at Edmonton’s National Urban Park Partners table since its initiation. The designation of such a park involves multiple rounds of public consultation,” meaning it is impossible for a National Urban Park to be created without the input of Albertans. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FOiv0n5bpa3IxYCZOyxd4R2RCv3WjuND/view

KingsU researcher plans to tag 20 white-tailed jackrabbits with GPS collars for study

Darcy Visscher photo

An associate professor of biology at The King's University, is about to study why white-tailed jackrabbit populations are booming in Edmonton, despite a sharp decline elsewhere. Darcy Visscher’s research team has received $100,000 to tag jackrabbits with GPS trackers to understand where they're coming from and why they are drawn to urban centres.

Looking into jackrabbit populations that date back to the early 1990s, he and his colleagues have found populations are about 80 times denser compared to rural rabbits. Previous research from 2016 suggests there were around 3,000 jackrabbits in Edmonton, Visscher said, but it seems the population increases year over year.

"Edmonton is fairly unique in that it's the very northern edge of the species range and everywhere else, the literature suggests that they're in decline," said Visscher. "So, something that they're doing is contributing to their success." Visscher sand his team plan to tag 20 rabbits with GPS collars that track their location every 15 minutes to get a sense of where they go each day. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-research-jackrabbit-population-1.7045170

Firkins house moved to Fort Edmonton by 1 Combat Engineer Regiment

The Firkins residence, now on 105 street in Fort Edmonton Park, was built in 1911-12 at 7901 Saskatchewan Drive by Ashley and Blanche Firkins, a newly wed couple from Illinois. A recent graduate from Northwestern University Dental School, Ashley’s ability to perform difficult corrective operations relating to the oral cavity and antrum was renowned.

Architecturally, the home represents one of Edmonton’s earliest and best applications of American Craftsman design. The Firkins’ Residence exemplifies Craftsman trends with its low-slung massing and horizontal proportions, use of stucco, and exposed eaves. The home’s distinct Californian Bungalowesque appearance stood in stark contrast to its contemporaries,

In late 1923 the Firkins’ relocated to California, where Mr. Firkins died on March 10th, 1933, during the Long Beach Earthquake. Said the Peninsula Times, Ashley “was operating on a patient in his second floor office in a downtown building. The building collapsed and when the masonry was pulled away he was dead, but his patient, an unidentified woman, the apron and towel still across her shoulders, walked out of the wreckage only slightly injured.”

By 1992, the aging home was the property of Rod and Audrey Karpetz who offered it, free of charge, to the Fort Edmonton Historical Foundation. The offer was accepted, and the home was moved to Fort Edmonton Park on August 27th, 199 through a unique collaboration between the Foundation and the Canadian Armed Forces which saw 1 Combat Engineer Regiment provide all the labour. https://www.forgottenedmonton.com/blog/the-firkins-residence

Editor’s Note

The link in last week’s article titled Dismantling YEG’s half-built freeway begins on Rossdale Road did not work. It should have linked to the original article https://edmonton.taproot.news/news/2023/12/01/dismantling-edmontons-half-built-freeway-begins-on-rossdale-road at Taproot Edmonton by Stephanie Swensrude.

Collaboration by Robert Ledrer, Cezary Gajewski, Michael Syms, sculptural flagpoles at Stadium LRT station

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/collaboration

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 - December 7, 2023

Dismantling YEG’s half-built freeway begins on Rossdale Road

Stephanie Swensrude photo

Work has begun to undo Edmonton’s incomplete 1970s downtown freeway project, with asphalt removed in Rossdale. “The changes on the Rossdale Road rehabilitation are necessary to eliminate some of the confusion where the triangle portion of 103 Street, Bellamy Hill, Rossdale Road, and 97 Avenue connect,” said Satya Gadidasu, the City of Edmonton project manager in charge of the redesign.

The former vehicle lanes have been stripped of asphalt and returned to dirt, and trees will eventually be planted. While Rossdale Road is one current option for commuting into downtown, the plan sees the road turned into a two-way, “park-like” street. An existing sidewalk will be widened to become a multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians.

Many decades ago, the city commissioned the Metropolitan Edmonton Transportation Study (METS), which imagined a freeway loop encircling the downtown core, similar to what today exists in many American cities. Construction of the freeway loop started with the James MacDonald Bridge and the roads on either side.

The changes are the first steps in the Rossdale Transportation Network Plan. In the concept plan, 105 Street will be narrowed from four lanes to three along most of the road between the Walterdale Bridge and 97 Avenue. The plan includes adding a bike lane and widening sidewalks along the street.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#inbox/FMfcgzGwHxqJfLQLllMpmwcVbQNJXMxC

City plants a record number of 180,000 trees in 2023

The 180,000 trees planted means the city made significant strides toward the goal of planting 2 million trees. The number is more than three times the previous year and includes trees planted as part of several city programs, including naturalization, Root for Trees and the Boulevard and Open Space tree planting programs.

Much of the city’s naturalization efforts were done through the Root for Trees program, its volunteer tree planting program. In 2023, 3,752 volunteers participated in the program planting 34,167 trees and shrubs at 186 events.

Naturalization is increasingly incorporated into the design of parks, neighbourhoods and projects led by the city, developers and utility companies. More than 1,000 hectares of city-maintained land is naturalized as grass or planted with trees and shrubs. 

Processes and best practices for ongoing monitoring and maintenance are being updated to consider factors such as equity, heat island effect, walking access to green spaces, recreation opportunities, wildlife connectivity and biodiversity, carbon capture and more. The city also wants to make sure we preserve existing recreation activities such as tobogganing, while also identifying areas where tree planting will have the best impact. 

The target of having two million trees planted within the next eight years is part of the city’s Urban Forest Asset Management goal of achieving 20 percent canopy cover by 2071. Video on the benefits of naturalization at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWgiRFcwaU

Mallards winter on the open waters of the North Saskatchewan River

Bert De Tilly photo

Mallards are hardy ducks, wintering regularly in southern Ontario and southern British Columbia. In Alberta, Mallards stay on the open waters of the North Saskatchewan River as far north as Edmonton. The great majority, however, migrate to the central and southern United States, where lakes and ponds are ice-free throughout the year.

Though one of the most adaptable of ducks, the continuing loss of prairie nesting habitat, particularly grassy uplands, has caused a long-term decline in continental Mallard populations. Droughts during the 1980s and 1990s created unfavourable conditions for prairie ducks, and many former wetlands have dried out and are now farmland.

Mallards are one of the few ducks that habitually feed on grain. Barley and wheat are preferred. Most grain is now harvested by combine, and ducks cannot do much damage, except when the grain is left in swaths because of poor weather.

Throughout the ages, the Mallard has benefited people by supplying them with eggs and flesh. It has long been domesticated, and many strains of our domestic ducks show their Mallard ancestry in their bright colours. Apart from its usefulness, the Mallard is a beautiful bird that brings delight to many outdoor people. The bird watcher knows of few more thrilling sights than Mallards dropping down with feet out-thrust to find the first spring water. https://www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/birds/mallard.html

Exotic Species by Marc Siegner, Victoria Park Pavilion

https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/exotic-species

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 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