FOUNDING THE RVA

An opportunity.

The vision for a united River Valley Park system began with an idea. Brian Tod, a business lawyer and partner at Miller Thomson in Edmonton, saw the incredible potential of Edmonton’s natural landscape. In the early 90s, while serving as President of the Fort Edmonton Foundation, Brian was inspired by fellow board member Frans Slatter to think beyond Fort Edmonton Park and consider how Edmonton could shine even brighter. A poll in the Edmonton Journal confirmed what many already knew: the river valley is Edmonton’s greatest treasure. That’s when Brian realized the city could transform its River Valley Park system into something truly extraordinary, linking it from Fort Saskatchewan to Devon

A plan.

The idea quickly grew into a plan. Brian Tod put together an executive summary of the concept and shared it with friends and colleagues, sparking interest. One of these supporters was local businessman Gary Campbell, who happened to be on the same flight as Edmonton’s Mayor Bill Smith. Gary shared the vision with the Mayor, and that conversation set the wheels in motion to make the plan a reality.

By 1996, a dedicated group of volunteers came together, eventually including representatives from seven municipalities: the Town of Devon, Parkland County, Leduc County, the City of Edmonton, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County, and the City of Fort Saskatchewan. Together, they set out to create something truly special for the region.

Like many grassroots movements, the River Valley Alliance faced challenges in its early days. As Ray Rassmussen, one of the original co-chairs, recalls, there was tension between the region’s municipalities in the early 90s, with pressures from population growth and a growing divide between urban and rural interests. Those early years were tough, but as excitement for the project grew, so did the spirit of cooperation. People set aside their differences to rally behind the vision.

Ray credits the mayors, councillors, and dedicated volunteers who believed in the potential of this project. Their teamwork, leadership, and commitment helped overcome the initial hurdles, and with the support of their communities, they pushed the River Valley Alliance forward with unstoppable momentum.

Though many people worked tirelessly in the beginning of the RVA, many of the progress was made through the dedication and work of the following people: Gabriele Barry, Maria David Evans, Barry Anderson, Ray Rassmussen, Judy Duncan, Jim Taylor, Sol Rolingher, Jacquie Fenske, Vern Hartwell, Brian Tod, Anne McLellan, Bruce Bentley, Mark Norris, Bill Smith and Bruce Wilson and many others.

Over two decades later, the initiative has an ambitious Plan of Action with extraordinary potential. Not only can this generation take pride in this grassroots movement, but so too can the generations that follow.