River Valley Development
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Published February 16, 2005
Have you been down to the
North Saskatchewan
River
Valley lately? Have you picnicked below the
Devon
Bridge, skated at
Hawrelak
Park, played a round of golf at Legends or launched a boat from Strachen's landing in
Fort
Saskatchewan? One day there will be a continuous parkway from
Devon to
Fort
Saskatchewan, a playground for today and a legacy for tomorrow.
Strathcona
County is a part of this vision and is already home to a world class biathlon range, Sunridge Ski Hill and Legends Golf Course. Council has approved funding to begin work on a trail system that will provide a link from
Edmonton to
Fort
Saskatchewan through Strathcona's portion of the river valley. When the entire project is complete, it will create one of the largest river valley parks in the world!
John Lilly, public member; Bev Bruyere from administration and I have the privilege of representing
Strathcona
County on the River Valley Alliance (RVA). This is an incorporated entity owned by the municipalities of
Devon,
Parkland
County,
Leduc
County,
Edmonton,
Strathcona
County,
Sturgeon
County and
Fort
Saskatchewan. It is another example of co-operation among municipalities in the capital region. Each municipality is responsible for their own projects but work with other partners to help make the dream a reality. We will do this by "protecting, preserving and enhancing the capital region's river valley park system for year-round accessibility and enjoyment of its citizens and visitors".
We have only just begun to add to this treasure in our municipality. With gravel extraction almost complete we can reclaim the valley for the people for generations to come. This will be a vibrant destination spot bigger than
Central Park in
New York or the Harbour Front in
Toronto. It will be an investment in
Alberta's quality of life that we can share in. It is an opportunity to create a synergy with our other municipal, corporate and not-for-profit partners and find a balance for river valley activities and protection of the environment. It's exciting! We have only begun, and it will not be complete without your thoughts and involvement!
Jacquie Fenske
Councillor, Ward 5
780-464-8147
fenske@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Thursday, March 25, 2010
Page ID: 2023
