River Valley - Edmonton:

The following are some facts about Edmonton's River Valley:

- The valley was formed by post glacial erosion over 20,000 years ago and has been eroded by the river to form terraces, meanders and flats. The valley is 60 metres deep from clifftop to river and varies in width from 1 to 1.6 kilometres

- Early settlement around Fort Edmonton was located in the valley and along its upper banks

- In 1907, Edmonton's city council recognized the benefits of preserving the river parkland

- In 1915 the Provincial Government adopted Frederick C. Todd's report which recommended protection of the River Valley environment so that Edmontonians would be provided with a contiguous recreation and open space system.

- The North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System encompasses an area of 7,425 hectares (18,348) acres which is mostly designated for recreational use. That is 12 times larger than New York City's Central Park. Edmonton's river valley the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America

- The valley system includes 14 ravines, 22 parks, over 100 kilometres of trail and four lake systems

- There are 58 kilometres of paved trails, 39 kilometres of granulated trails, 28 kilometres of pedestrian trails, 7 kilometres of equine trails, and 48 kilometres of ski trails

- The valley also includes: 2 ski hills, 6 golf courses, 1 driving range, 29 day campsites, an equine centre, 25 reservable picnic sites, 2 outdoor pools, 70 staircases, 95 viewpoints, 6 toboggan hills, 58 minor bridges and 5 major bridges

- There are 39 facilities in the River Valley as well as major attractions such as Muttart Conservatory, Fort Edmonton Park, the Valley Zoo and the Kinsmen Sports Centre

- See the River Valley Alliance web site for information on their plan to create a Capital Region River Valley Park

See also the attached web sites

Online:

River Valley

River Valley Alliance

Sources:

Urbanism and Environment . 1974. 102.

City of Edmonton. Planning Department. Implementation Plan - North Saskatchewan River Valley Area Redevelopment Plan p. 1. 1985.

Edmonton Journal . May 2, 1998. B2.

. Edmonton Journal. March 16, 2007. B1.

Notes: