River Valley News - June 19/25

20,000 hour streetcar restoration breathes life into treasured antiques

Mark Burton photo

Fort Edmonton Park, which is nestled along the river valley, is dedicated to preserving the history of Alberta’s capital through numerous displays and historical streets. Very recently, the park added two fully restored train cars from Regina and Saskatoon.

In the early years of Regina, residents would get around using an old electric streetcar system. A network of streetcar railway tracks were built around the city for residents to hop on and get to stores, theatres, and events downtown. 

The #42 streetcar that ran down Broad Street to 13th Ave has recently found a new lease on life thanks to the Edmonton Railway Society. “Regina 42” was a streetcar built in 1928 and ran for several years throughout the Queen City.

It ran until it nearly perished in a fire in 1947 after the carbarn went up in flames. Workers have fully restored the street car with new red paint and the help of original manufacturer blueprints and photos.

The Park was also able to restore a snow sweeper and 1907 line car streetcar from Saskatoon, affectionately nicknamed the “Saskatoon 200.” This car ran until 1951 before being decommissioned.  

It’s estimated to have taken over 20,000 hours to restore both these streetcars by volunteers. Thanks to these two fully restored train cars from Regina and Saskatoon, Fort Edmonton Park now has a total of 10 antique units. https://edmonton.taproot.news/pulse/2025/06/12 

Roses, secrecy, silence and love have always been inseparable

Walter Siegmund photo

You probably already know that the Alberta Wild Rose is native to the Edmonton river valley. That being said, have you ever been curious as to the mythological origin and symbolisms of roses? 

Indeed, the rose that grows in many different forms in gardens all over the world today is an evolution of rose-like plants that lived in the northern hemisphere between 33 million and 23 million years ago. 

According to Greek mythology, the goddess of flowers, Chloris, created a new flower by breathing life into a woodland nymph who had died. Dionysus, the god of wine and plant life, gave it a beautiful perfume. And Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and pleasure, gave the rose its name by rearranging the letters of Eros, her son and the god of love and desire. 

Eros later gave a rose to Harpocrates, the god of silence, as a bribe to ensure he kept the indiscretions of the gods to himself. Hence, the rose became symbolic of secrecy, silence, and love. 

The association with secrecy led to the rose becoming a visual symbol of the need for discretion. Roses were carved into the ceilings and walls of public rooms in grand houses, courtrooms, and Catholic confessionals as a reminder that all conversations should be kept confidential. 

From the Middle Ages, a rose was often suspended from the ceiling of a government council chamber to ensure the secrecy of proceedings. Therefore, sub rosa ("under the rose") became a quasi-legal term still in use to denote something that is best kept under wraps. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2264/a-brief-history-of-the-rose/ 

EALT hosting a Bioblitz near the NSR on Sunday June 22

A newly secured land is in need of some assistance! This parcel of land lies along the bank of the North Saskatchewan River, upstream from Big Island Provincial Park in an Environmentally Significant Area. 

You can join the EALT for a Bioblitz with professionals to discover all of the native species that call this land home. This event will take place on Sunday, June 22nd, from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm. It involves manual weeding, which includes bending, kneeling, and using hand tools to trim plants. It will also involve up to 2 km of walking, over flat terrain with uneven footing.

Over the next few years, the EALT aims to restore the environmental health of the area, which includes invasive plant management and a variety of other restoration efforts. Those who sign up will be sent the exact location days in advance of the event. It is close to Bunchberry Meadows, and takes roughly 40 minutes to get there from west Edmonton.

Learn more and register here https://mailchi.mp/ealt/february-volunteer-opportunities-bkk9jb42s0-17459672?e=b41643f9be 

From Skunk Hollow by Leanne Schnierer https://leannesfineart.com/cityscapes/ 

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com. 

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - June 12/25

That time an airplane flew mere inches from the high level bridge

Denny May photo

Wilfrid “Wop” May grew up dreaming of flying planes. When World War I fired up, May and many of his fellow Edmontonians enlisted. Soon after, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. After several successful missions, including one with the fearsome Red Baron, May emerged from the war as a flying ace.

After the war, May pursued a career in aviation. He and his brother formed the first registered aircraft company, and he spent time performing air stunts. Few pilots were as distinguished and daring.

Perhaps the best demonstration of his daredevil attitude was when he flew with a distinguished passenger, Mayor of Edmonton, Joe Clarke. It was the 1919 baseball season opener in Diamond Park just below downtown. Wop May flew the mayor over the park to throw the opening pitch—from the airplane.

After a wild pitch, Wop May suggested that the only safe way out of the river valley was flying the plane under the High Level Bridge. Witnesses said there were mere inches between the bridge supports and the plane’s wings as they passed underneath.

May went on to perform many other historic firsts before his death in 1952. https://www.edmontoncommonwealthwalkway.com/history/wilfred-wop-may 

Reminder that bulky and awkward moose are still quite big and fast

Ryan Hagerty photo

On May 24, emergency medical services were called to an incident near Rowland Road and 106A Avenue in Edmonton. A senior resident was knocked out by a female moose, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, including three broken ribs, a gash in his leg and a bump on the head.

Moose are big, fast animals. They may look bulky and awkward, but they can circle and weave through trees like champion barrel racers. As of 2014, there were more than 100,000 of the herbivores in the province. With bears and wolves their main predators, spots like Edmonton’s river valley are a shelter of sorts.

“Normally, moose are not aggressive. However, a moose that is stressed, a bull moose in the fall rut or a cow moose protecting her young may be easily provoked into an attack,” says a post on the Alberta government website.

“The EPS wants to remind people that if you come across a moose to keep a safe distance away and not to approach it,” said Nancy Carlson at the Edmonton Police Service. Warning signs of an agitated moose include raised neck and back hair, ears pinned back, snorting or lip-licking.

“If charged by a moose, people should run and seek shelter behind a tree, car or building. If knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your head. Keep pets indoors because barking dogs can stress or provoke a moose.”

To report sightings, Edmontonians can call 1-800-642-3800. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/mother-moose-attacks-edmonton-senior-baby-moose-dies-after-vehicle-strike 

Add lifejackets and water safety gear to your YEG summer pack

To ensure that folks enjoy the North Saskatchewan River and other bodies of water, the City of Edmonton’s Park Rangers, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) are once again coming together to encourage water safety.

In the summer of 2024, City Park Rangers and EPS conducted 13,753 safety compliance checks, a 15 per cent increase compared to 2023. Park Rangers and EPS Marine Units issued 3,623 warnings to river users who were not in compliance with boating regulations and were putting themselves at risk.

As of May 12, the City has implemented a mandatory lifejacket bylaw. This means all individuals on any floating vessel will be required to wear a life jacket or a personal flotation device at all times within the city boundaries.

When you are on the river, it is also mandatory to bring all relevant safety gear as outlined by Transport Canada. This includes a personal flotation device, a throw bag, a whistle or a sound-signalling device, and a watertight flashlight when travelling during low light.

This summer, Park Rangers and EPS Marine Units will also be conducting Land-Based Safety Compliance Checks on all vessels in coordination with on-water Marine Safety Compliance Checks. 

As always, contact Edmonton Fire Rescue Services in the event of an emergency. edmonton.ca/RiverSafety

Indigenous Peoples Day at Telus World of Science on June 21 

Leah Dorion art

On June 21, the Telus World of Science will be hosting Indigenous Peoples Day events. Their mission is to recognize and celebrate the cultures and worldviews of Indigenous Peoples who traditionally stewarded the lands of amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, Beaver Hills House (Edmonton).

The Edmonton Area and Land Trust (EALT) will be hosting an event at the Edmonton Medicine Garden from 10:15 am to 3:45 pm. Folks can participate in a smudging circle, then start weeding, planting native plant plugs, and spreading seeds. At lunch, participants will also be making tea from freshly harvested mint and receiving native plant giveaways.

Participants are reminded to wear/bring comfortable footwear, layers for the conditions, and water. This is an open drop-in event, so you do not have to sign up beforehand. Entry will be included with Science Centre Admission. Admission Tickets are free for Indigenous Participants. https://www.ealt.ca/event-listing/garden

Futuristic Map by Patrick Jacob, McKernan/Belgravia LRT Station https://www.edmontonarts.ca/public-art/futuristic-map

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com.

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup

River Valley News - June 5/25

Capitol theatre marquee so hot, sidewalks stayed snow-free in winter!

The Capitol Theatre opened in 1918 as the ‘Allen Theatre’. Designed for Famous Players by architect H. L. Gage, this two-storey building was constructed of concrete with brick cladding.

In 1929, Famous Players closed the theatre, now called the ‘Capitol Theatre’, for three months to install sound equipment for the new "talkies" and to add a balcony, giving the theatre an additional 500 seats. 

They also added an electric sign and marquee, as well as hired noted Montreal theatre designer Emmanuel Briffa to redecorate the interior of the theatre. When the renovations were complete, the Capitol Theatre became the first theatre in Edmonton to show movies with sound.

An additional renovation in 1938, designed by Magoon and MacDonald, saw the installation of air conditioning and a 2000-light marquee, the largest in Western Canada. The 2000 60-watt bulbs generated so much heat that the sidewalk in front of the theatre stayed snow and ice-free almost all winter.

In 1954, the theatre was renovated and modernized once again. However, the movie industry was changing and by the 1970s, larger theatres were no longer profitable. For that reason, the Capitol Theatre was demolished in 1972. A scaled-down replica of the 1929 version of the theatre was built at Fort Edmonton Park in 2011.

https://www.edmontonhistoricalboard.com/structures/capitol-theatre/ 

Don’t forget to embrace the RV this International Trails Day on June 7

Richard Dixon art

Come explore Edmonton’s extensive trail system this International Trails Day, June 7, using the City’s Discover YEG Map. International Trails Day is celebrated on the first Saturday in June and is a global event to promote the benefits of trails and encourage use. 

In Edmonton, this event will highlight the River Valley Parks and the importance of green spaces for recreation, health and connection with nature. Did you know Edmonton has one of the most expansive urban trail systems in Canada? With a mix of 92 kilometres of paved and 93 kilometres of unpaved paths, these maintained routes link parks across the city through the Ribbon of Green that is the Edmonton River Valley.

While celebrating International Trails Day, please remember to stay on designated trails to prevent damage to ecologically sensitive areas. Check the weather and trail conditions before heading out and obey any trail closures in effect. Report concerns about trails to 311 to do your part in keeping these spaces enjoyable and safe for everyone.

More information on how to enjoy International Trails Day in Edmonton at https://movelearnplay.edmonton.ca/. 

River Valley Bylaw Public Hearing: Action Needed!

A public hearing at City Council will be held June 9 for review and approval of a revised River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan (aka River Valley Bylaw) governing protection and development in the North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravines. The North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society is concerned this bylaw fails to consistently deliver binding rules rather than “suggestions” and lacks a strong risk and impact review process. As our valley is public land, protected for the benefit of current and future generations, the bylaw must be amended to also impose the duty to notify and offer opportunity for public comment for any proposed major developments or changes to the bylaw. We have been active stakeholders during the “Bylaw Modernization” process and will attend the public hearing to share specific recommendations to strengthen the River Valley Bylaw.

The public hearing will also discuss the Ribbon of Green Strategic Plan revised during the River Valley Planning Modernization project. We recommend this Plan also be officially approved by City Council as a guide to future decision making. We encourage Edmontonians to share their voices to City Council on the need for a strong bylaw to ensure that decisions on our valley ensure a legacy of river valley protection for years to come.

You can speak at the Council June 9 public hearing and also send emails directly to the Mayor and councillors expressing your views.

To register to speak at the June 9 City Council Public Hearing item 3.11 apply at the City of Edmonton site or call 780-496-8178. Emailed comments may be forwarded to city.clerk@edmonton.ca referencing the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan hearings, Item 3.11. Written submissions are forwarded to Mayor and Council.

British Columbia Centenary Totem Pole submitted by Rhonda Taft

“Hidden treasure at the Legislature!”

Comment or Contributions

Please note articles may not reflect the position of NSRVCS. River Valley News is meant to be a clearinghouse for the variety of opinions and ideas about Edmonton’s River Valley.

Email river valley photos, event information, comments, or questions to nsrivervalley@gmail.com.

Forward this link to anyone you think may want to sign up for this newsletter https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/newsletter-signup