River Valley News - Jan. 29/26

Photo credit: Evan Klippenstein / CTV News Edmonton

Heritage Status for Hemingway

The Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre has officially been designated a Municipal Historic Resource, celebrating its grand reopening on January 27, 2026. After five years of extensive renovations, this iconic Edmonton landmark—famed for its sweeping, tent-like copper roofline—is back in service. The designation honours the legacy of architect Peter Hemingway and ensures the preservation of one of Canada’s finest examples of Expressionist modern architecture, which was designed to reflect the transition from the Rocky Mountains to the Alberta prairies.

The modernization project successfully balanced heritage preservation with 21st-century upgrades. Beyond vital structural, mechanical, and electrical overhauls, the facility now features a new glass curtain wall, improved lighting, and enhanced accessibility via a new elevator. Notably, the center has also introduced a new cold plunge pool, adding a modern wellness trend to the historic site.

The reopening of the pool marks the completion of the larger Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, creating a unified destination for sport and wellness. Mayor Andrew Knack and local officials will host a grand opening ceremony this Friday at 11 a.m. to celebrate this "brave" piece of civic infrastructure. All Edmontonians are invited to join the event and explore how this world-class facility will serve the community for decades to come.

Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre declared Municipal Historic Resource - City of Edmonton 

Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre opens Tuesday 

Photo credit: NSRVCS website

NSRVCS is looking for new board members

In preparation for our Annual General Meeting in March 2026, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society invites you to be involved with a dynamic organization seeking to preserve Edmonton’s ribbon of green for future generations. If you are interested in being nominated to the Board of Directors, please contact us at nsrivervalley@gmail.com

We participate in discussions about the future of Big Island provincial park in Edmonton’s southwest river valley, the plans for a National Urban Park that would connect ecological systems and regional landscapes along the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton and the Metro region, and in an ongoing basis we work to conserve and preserve Edmonton’s river valley by being vigilant about developments that impact Bylaw 7188, the North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan.

We also have a vibrant communications platform consisting of a weekly newsletter, Facebook posts, and a daily presence on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more at https://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/

Photo credit: City of Edmonton website

New "Ribbon of Green" River Valley Master Plan

Edmonton’s City Council has officially replaced its 32-year-old river valley strategy with a new Master Plan designed to oversee the 100-km stretch of the North Saskatchewan River valley. This updated framework shifts away from the 1992 plan to better balance the preservation of the natural landscape with growing public demand for recreation, attractions, and amenities.

The plan introduces three land-use classifications—preservation, conservation, and active/working landscapes—to guide future development while aligning with climate resilience goals. Key highlights include:

  • Enhanced Access & Recreation: A new trail strategy is being developed to improve accessibility for those with mobility concerns and allow for more multi-use trails, a move welcomed by groups like the Edmonton Mountain Bike Alliance.

  • Indigenous Stewardship: The plan calls for greater Indigenous oversight and co-stewardship of the land, reflecting engagement with 23 Indigenous communities.

  • Ecological Monitoring & Land Acquisition: To protect the wildlife corridor, the city will partner with conservation groups to monitor ecological impacts and explore purchasing private land (such as fenced-off industrial sections) to ensure trail continuity.

While the vision is set, the timeline for completion depends on the next four-year budget cycle. In the meantime, council is exploring the costs to complete the remaining 25 km of trail that would fully connect Edmonton’s network to the town of Devon.

Edmonton's new river valley strategy now in effect 

Community Corner: Volunteer Opportunities & Events

Edmonton Native Plant Society (ENPS) invites volunteers to its first Seedy Tea seed packaging event of 2026 on Saturday, January 31, from 1-4pm at the Orchid Resource Centre (4459 99 St. NW, Edmonton).

Tasks include labelling envelopes, packaging native plant seeds, and possibly threshing dried plants. 2025 saw record sales requiring five packaging sessions; Apache Seed is carrying stock for a third year amid rising demand for biodiversity-supporting gardens. Max 12 volunteers; RSVP to volunteer@enps.ca. Masks optional, refreshments provided.

Follow-up sessions: Feb 15 (Sunday) and Feb 28 (Saturday). Seeds delivered to stores by March 2; major Seedy Sunday sales event on March 22.

 

The Edmonton Area Land Trust (EALT) offers two engaging outdoor opportunities near Edmonton this February.

Saturday, February 7, 11am-2pm at Carbyn Wildlands: Enjoy a guided tour of this new conservation area, spotting animal tracks from stoats to moose while learning about its ecology. Winter Walk at Carbyn Wildlands 

Saturday, February 28, 11am-3pm at Bunchberry Meadows: Join physically active work removing black knot fungus from chokecherries at this popular, wildlife-rich site. High exertion includes walking kilometres and using hand tools. Black Knot Buster at Bunchberry Meadows - February 

 

 Learn how to grow food year-round at the Passive Solar Greenhouse Workshop on Thursday, February 12 (6:30–8:30 PM) at the Millhurst Community League. Led by Master Gardener Kim Ross, this $30 session teaches you how to maintain growing temperatures at -30°C using sustainable, solar-reliant designs that cut heating costs by 90%. Register via operationfruitrescue.org , where you can also sign up for local volunteer opportunities.

Suzuanne Burwash / Winter City Weekends Illustration

Celebrate winter at City Hall Plaza every weekend through February. Enjoy Ice Grooves with live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights (6–9 PM), or head inside City Hall on Sundays (1–4 PM) for Swing 'n Skate featuring live big band and jazz music. Winter City Weekends: Ice Grooves & Swing 'n Skate - January and February 

Comment or Contributions

Please note that 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 - Dec. 15/25

Photo Credit: CityNews Edmonton

A Record-Breaking Year for Edmonton’s Urban Forest

Edmonton set a new record in 2025 by planting 484,091 trees and shrubs, significantly expanding the city’s urban forest. This surpasses the 2024 total of 342,157 plantings, with most work delivered through the City’s naturalization program and the volunteer‑powered Root for Trees initiative, which alone added over 45,000 trees and shrubs. Plantings took place at 59 locations across the city, and the Grow Together program helped ensure a more equitable canopy by adding boulevard and open‑space trees in three neighbourhoods.​

These “net new” trees move Edmonton closer to its long‑term City Plan goals of planting 2 million trees and reaching 20 per cent canopy cover by 2071; since 2021, 810,546 trees and shrubs have been planted toward that target. The work is supported by $48 million from the federal 2 Billion Trees program and about $66 million in approved municipal capital funding, with planting running from 2022 through 2030. City and federal officials emphasize that a larger, healthier urban forest will improve air quality, enhance climate resilience, support biodiversity and make neighbourhoods cooler, greener and more welcoming for residents.

For more information, head to Root for Trees | City of Edmonton. If you are looking to receive program updates, fun facts about trees and interesting nature-themed activities to do around Edmonton, sign up for the Canopy Newsletter here. 

Photo Credit: Nature Conservancy Canada

Local Land Donation Protects 39 Hectares of RV Habitat

An Edmonton resident, Ken Casey, has donated his 39-hectare property near Genesee Lake in Leduc County to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), where it will be known as Casey Forest. The land lies along the North Saskatchewan River and contains largely untouched mixed-wood forest and wetlands that help provide clean water to nearby communities.

NCC notes that the property has a very high biodiversity index, meaning many different plant and animal species live there, including spruce, poplar, aspen, willow, and alder. Species of concern observed near the site include Peregrine falcons, Barred owls, and American kestrels, adding to the ecological importance of protecting this habitat.

Casey Forest connects with other conserved parcels along the river, creating a growing network of protected land that now covers roughly 106 hectares of forest and shoreline in that area. The donation was made through the federal Ecological Gifts Program, which offers tax incentives for conserving ecologically significant land, and NCC credits partners such as Cenovus Energy for helping make the project possible for future generations.

Local man donates beloved section of land near Genesee Lake to NCC | Devon Dispatch 

Photo Credit: City of Edmonton

Shaping Edmonton’s Climate Future and River Valley Trails

Edmonton is asking residents to help shape how the city responds to climate change at the same time as it invests in the future of the river valley. The City is updating its 2027–2030 Climate Action Plan and developing a new Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Risk Strategy, with online engagement open into December and January so people can share priorities for reducing emissions, adapting to hotter, drier summers, and protecting natural areas, including the river valley.​ To participate in public engagement opportunities for the Climate Action Plan, visit engaged.edmonton.ca/climateactionplan  by January 20, 2026. Residents can also review the draft Wildland-Urban Interface Wildfire Risk Strategy overview and share their thoughts from December 8 -  22 by visiting engaged.edmonton.ca/wildfirestrategy. 

Furthermore, the City Council’s recent fall budget adjustments add a one-time investment of $1.6 million to develop a River Valley trail strategy, which will guide how Edmonton plans, connects and maintains trails along the North Saskatchewan River while balancing recreation, access and environmental protection. The same budget decisions also respond to broader financial pressures, resulting in a 6.9 percent property tax increase for 2026—approximately $816 per $100,000 of assessed home value for the average household—and begin restoring the City’s Financial Stabilization Reserve so it is better prepared for future shocks.​

Taken together, the new funding and engagement opportunities give Edmontonians a chance to influence both the long-term vision and near-term plans for the river valley and the wider city. Residents can weigh in on climate priorities, wildfire risk management and neighbourhood planning through the City’s online engagement hub Engaged Edmonton, helping ensure budget choices and strategies on paper reflect community values on the ground.

Photo Credit: naturecounts.ca 

Quieter Skies: Why a Healthy RV Matters for Declining Bird Populations

Bird populations are declining across Canada, and Edmonton’s river valley is one of the most important local refuges we have to help slow that trend. National assessments show that over one-third of regularly occurring Canadian bird species have declined since 1970, with especially steep drops for grassland birds and insect‑eating aerial insectivores such as swallows and swifts. These losses are linked to habitat destruction, climate change, pesticides, and falling insect abundance, which together make it harder for birds to find food, nesting sites, and safe migration routes.

In Edmonton, people notice this as quieter skies over their neighbourhoods and fewer birds at feeders or along familiar trails. Citizen‑science programs and monitoring projects, such as Project FeederWatch, report that some winters and breeding seasons now bring fewer individual birds to typical observation sites, and climate‑driven shifts in weather and food can move birds away from places where they used to be common. Declining insect populations add another layer of pressure, especially on species that rely heavily on flying insects during breeding and migration.

The North Saskatchewan River valley cuts a green corridor through the city, offering a mix of forests, wetlands, and open areas that still support rich communities of birds and the insects they depend on. Protecting and restoring this landscape—through measures like limiting habitat fragmentation, expanding naturalized areas, planting native trees and shrubs, and carefully planning new trails—helps safeguard nesting sites, stopover habitat, and food webs that birds need to recover. In a time of broad declines, keeping the river valley healthy and connected is one of the most direct ways Edmontonians can support birds, insects, and the wider web of life close to home.

The State of Canada’s Birds Report 

Vanishing birdsong: How climate change is altering Canada’s soundscape | Canadian Geographic 

Trends and Highlights from the 2022-23 Project FeederWatch Season - Birds Canada 

Explaining the 73 per cent decline in global wildlife populations (and what we can do about it) - WWF.CA 

Introducing The State of Canada’s Birds 

Louis Riel / Heather Shillinglaw / 1996 / acrylic on plaster

St. Albert and the Northwest Resistance at Musée Héritage Museum, St. Albert Place

Date: November 25 to April 4

In the spring of 1885, the Government of Canada officially took up arms against its citizens for the only time in the nation’s history. The 1885 Northwest Resistance brought widespread unrest to the Prairies. St. Albert was significantly invested in the conflict as the Sea of the Dioceses and a predominantly Métis community. Discover the role of St. Albert in the build-up and during the conflict, as well as the aftermath of the 1885 Northwest Resistance.

St. Albert and the Northwest Resistance 

Comment or Contributions

Please note that 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 - Nov. 20/25

Photo credit: dirtonmyshirt.com
River Valley Plants: Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

The Common Yarrow, or Achillea millefolium, is far more than just a ubiquitous roadside weed; it is a fragrant, deeply historic herb found throughout Alberta, including the open spaces and disturbed areas of the River Valley. Identified by its height (ranging from 30 cm to 70 cm) and its aromatic, feathery, fern-like leaves, its species name millefolium translates to "a thousand leaves," referencing its finely dissected foliage. In late June, this hardy perennial bursts into bloom, displaying dense, flat-topped clusters of many small, typically white flowers that can continue colouring the landscape until September.

The yarrow boasts a fascinating history rooted in both military myth and Indigenous medicine. Its genus name, Achillea, refers to the Greek hero Achilles, who legend says used the plant to heal his soldiers’ wounds. This military association is echoed in its old folk names like “soldier’s woundwort” and “staunchweed,” reflecting its historical use as a styptic to stop bleeding in battle—an effective property that was also widely utilized by First Nations Peoples across the Rocky Mountains to treat cuts, burns, and aches.

Common Yarrow is a native, incredibly resilient plant that thrives in dry conditions and poor soils, making it common along riverbanks, roadsides, and open meadows. It is highly valued for its extensive, deep root system and its ability to spread, which makes it an excellent choice for ground cover and soil erosion control. Ecologically, its clustered flower heads provide a rich and abundant source of nectar for various insect larvae and certain butterflies, like the Blue Copper. Despite its slightly bitter taste, the Yarrow is a persistent and beautiful component of the River Valley ecosystem.

Common Yarrow  

Photo credit: Alberta.ca
The Storyteller's Green Space: Tony Cashman Park

The history of Edmonton is preserved not just in museums and archives, but in the names woven into the city’s landscape. Tony Cashman Park, located at 103A Street and 16 Avenue SW, is one such tribute—a quiet piece of green space honouring one of Alberta's most passionate and popular local historians. The park serves as a lasting memorial to a man whose life’s work was dedicated to ensuring that the stories of Edmonton's past were not just remembered but vibrantly brought to life for everyone.

Born in Edmonton in 1923, Tony Cashman was a celebrated author, radio broadcaster, and playwright who possessed an "uncanny ability to bring the people in his stories to life." During the 1950s and 60s, he became a household name through his weekly radio segment, “The Edmonton Story,” which ran for a decade and featured over 700 local tales. Cashman believed history should be told through the eyes of the common person who lived it, rather than just through dates and elite decisions. This distinctive, humorous, and deeply human style made history accessible and engaging, earning him accolades like the Edmontonian of the Century in 2004 and an induction into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2014.

The City of Edmonton recognized Cashman’s profound impact by naming a park in his honour in 2011. In 2021, a new plaque was installed at the park, further cementing his place in the city's narrative. As his son, Paul Cashman, noted at the plaque dedication, "After 98 years of writing Edmonton's history, now he is part of Edmonton's history.” It was Tony Cashman’s hope that visitors to the park would take a moment to learn about him and, perhaps, become inspired to explore the rich history of their own city, continuing the storytelling tradition he championed for a lifetime.

Tony Cashman gets new plaque at city park named after him

Tony Cashman | Alberta.ca 

Photo credit: Northern Photo Services Ltd.
High Level Bridge: History and Heritage

The High Level Bridge is a massive steel truss, multi-function bridge constructed between 1910 and 1913. As one of four great steel truss bridges built by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in Canada before WWI, it is a significant historic place. The design is notable for employing two distinct truss types—the Pratt Truss and the Warren Truss—for its steel substructure, which is set on a combination of concrete piers and steel legs. The structure is 2,550 feet long and features two decks positioned twenty feet apart, with the rail deck base sitting 156 feet above the North Saskatchewan River.

The bridge holds unique historical importance for its role in uniting the separate communities on the river's north and south banks. It was a major factor in the amalgamation of the City of Strathcona and the City of Edmonton on February 1, 1912. The High Level Bridge linked 109 Street in downtown Edmonton with 109 Street on Edmonton's south side. The construction costs, exceeding $2 million, were shared by the CPR, the cities of Edmonton and Strathcona, and the provincial and dominion governments, demonstrating the railway's immense historical importance.

Significantly, the High Level Bridge held unique standing in Western Canada for originally combining four modes of transportation: train, streetcar, automobile, and pedestrian traffic. While streetcar traffic ceased in 1951 and CPR trains stopped in 1989, the lower deck still carries vehicular traffic and a pedestrian walkway, and a tourist streetcar operates seasonally on the upper deck. The structure remains a massive landmark and an icon for the city of Edmonton

https://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/documents/InfraPlan/HighLevelBridge.pdf 

Operation Total Recall: The Citizen-Led Effort to Recall UCP MLAs

What has this article got to do with the river valley? Nothing!!! This just reflects the left leaning bias of your staff which is offensive. 

Your history and stories about our river valley have always been interesting and enjoyable but please refrain from political opinion.

Bruce

Operation Total Recall: The Citizen-Led Effort to Recall UCP MLAs

Is the River Valley News becoming political? I hope not. Please stick to history, facts.

Victoria

Operation Total Recall: The Citizen-Led Effort to Recall UCP MLAs

“Please note that 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.”

I am attaching your note from your newsletter. While I have found your newsletters interesting and engaging, articles like the recall campaigns are increasingly creeping into your publication. These articles are political and totally out of place in the newsletter. Your lack of oversight is ruining your publication.

Regards,

Brenda

Touchstone / Bruno Canadien / 2025 / Bronze / NAIT LRT Station

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

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