Year-end reflection and happy trails for 2019

2018 was a transition year for the River Valley Alliance (RVA). I started the year as the new Executive Director, taking over the reins from Larry Wall who served the RVA from 2014 to 2017. I previously served as Chair of the Advisory Committee and Chair of the Board prior to stepping into this role.

In 2018, most of the projects in the RVA’s Phase I Capital Program were completed. Twenty one kilometres of new trails were opened in 2018 along Range Road 262 in Strathcona County and in East Edmonton from Hermitage Park to Quarry Ridge Golf Club. We are already seeing great usage of these new trails.

Completed in 2018 but not yet officially opened are five boat docks located at Whitemud Park, Laurier Park, Hawrelak Park, Dawson Park and Capilano Park. Capilano also received an upgrade to its power boat ramp.

Also in 2018, a new “underslung” pedestrian bridge was announced in conjunction with the twinning of Highway 15 connecting Sturgeon County to the City of Fort Saskatchewan. This is a critical piece of infrastructure in achieving our goal of regional connectivity from Devon to Sturgeon County.

The second year of our annual EPCOR RiverFest was a huge success. Over 2,200 people floated down the North Saskatchewan River on  Aug. 11, an increase of about 700 people from 2017. Because of its popularity, EPCOR RiverFest will be back August 10 and 11, 2019.

Here’s to an even better 2019! Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends, and we’ll see you on the trails next year.

-Brent Collingwood, Executive Director, River Valley Alliance