River Valley Alliance

A Compelling Vision

A COMPELLING VISION… AN URGENT CALL FOR ACTION

Today…

The North Saskatchewan River Valley is a unique treasure. It is a loosely connected strip of land covering 18,000 acres. People marvel at its unspoiled beauty. We drive through the river valley, travel on the many trails already in place, paddle its waters, experience the changing seasons, and catch glimpses of wildlife that live in the river valley. It is a priceless treasure, but its full potential as an internationally recognized major regional park has yet to be tapped.

Now imagine this…

The entire river valley is linked and accessible as a single regional park. Walk, bike, canoe, run or cross country ski from Devon to Fort Saskatchewan in one of the largest metropolitan parks in the world — a defi ning symbol of Alberta’s Capital Region.

Start a canoe trip from Devon’s River Valley Park. Enjoy a day skiing or mountain biking at Rabbit Hill. Hike one of the adventure trails to Terwillegar Park or take in a seminar at a new river valley conference centre. Enjoy nature at its best in natural landscapes that are home to a diverse array of flora and fauna. Go for a horseback ride at the Whitemud Equine Centre then spend an afternoon at the John Jantzen Nature Centre. Relive history at Fort Edmonton Park or check out the elephants at the Valley Zoo.

Walk or take a river taxi from downtown Edmonton to the new grounds of the Legislature Buildings or the Royal Alberta Museum, and enjoy neighbourhood restaurants and breathtaking views of the river on a warm summer evening. Go for a walk, run or a bike ride, then catch the action at Telus Field or travel east to tour a new Coal Mine Interpretive Centre, a river marina, and a new River Science Centre and Aquarium.

Take in a concert at the new festival amphitheatre or if you are the adventurous kind, experience a world-class whitewater course, then head to a new recreation-based park in northeast Edmonton where athletes from around the world test their skills.

Learn about topics such wildlife behavior, natural area conservation, and pond ecosystems at the Strathcona Nature Centre. Then round out the fi nal leg of the River Valley Park with a historic tour of the Lamoureux Settlement, Fort Augustus, Edmonton House, and the Fort Saskatchewan Northwest Mounted Police Garrison Barracks.

Natural landscapes, adventure, sports, history, education, and family fun. The Capital Region River Valley Park will have it all.

That vision takes us far beyond the river valley we see today. It stretches our imagination and allows us to envision what this unique treasure could become.

If action is taken now, our Capital Region river valley could be:

• A signifi cant natural corridor — its natural diversity and visual character appropriately managed for the benefi t of future generations
• One of the largest internationally recognized metropolitan parks in the world — rivaling the importance of Stanley Park to Vancouver or Central Park to New York
• Recognized around the world as one of the truly great metropolitan parks, integrating urban and surrounding rural regions and landscapes.
• A rich blend of preserved natural areas, places for recreation, winding trails, river access, urban life, historical sites, and world-class attractions and events
• A vibrant and changing place with something for everyone — old and young, families, sports and adventure enthusiasts, history buffs, tourists, and the growing population of the Capital Region
• A lasting legacy for future generations

The opportunities are possible, but only if we act now — with a clear vision of what we want to achieve for the river valley and a careful and deliberate plan to attain the goals we set. Without that, we risk seeing development that threatens the river valley’s current biodiversity and contributes to the fragmentation and erosion of a river valley that is, in many ways, unique in the world.

We can not be lulled into thinking this invaluable treasure of nature and history will be there for future generations to enjoy. The river valley is under pressure and with a growing population, increasing demands and fragmented developments, we are already seeing signs that the river valley environment is under signifi cant strain.

The RVA, with the support of its municipal shareholders and the provincial and federal governments, initiated the preparation of a comprehensive plan to integrate the 88 kilometres of North Saskatchewan River valley from Devon through Edmonton to Fort Saskatchewan as the Capital Region River Valley Park. This plan challenges us to imagine the future of the Capital Region’s river valley and to take action to make that vision a reality. It sets out seven key planning areas — each unique in its own way, each providing a blend of natural areas, current attractions and exciting opportunities to bring new life and vibrancy into the river valley. The plan sets clear and over-riding objectives for protecting and preserving the natural environment of the river valley while also meeting social and economic objectives. It also describes the important steps that need to be taken to achieve the vision and secure the lasting legacy of the river valley — a legacy our children and their children so richly deserve.

We cannot let this opportunity slip through our fingers. The time to act is now. The plan is here. And with the support of all stakeholders in the RVA and people in the Capital Region, the plan can and will proceed — and succeed.