1. Design Embodies the Vision
Strathcona County will embark on a transformative venture with the development of a regional park along the North Saskatchewan River. This ambitious project envisions the rejuvenation of a 290-acre brownfield, formerly utilized for farming and gravel extraction, into a regenerative river park over the next 15 years.
The master planning process was a catalyst for The County to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Communities and First Nations. Through extensive engagement the common theme heard was to restore this land that had given so much through clearing and extraction, to make this a place that welcomes all through a healing process between land and people.
The master plan sets out a vision and implementation strategy for the land’s rejuvenation and operations. It aims to strike a harmonious balance between inclusive outdoor recreation, nature appreciation, gathering, and acknowledging the history of this place.
Key features include diverse wetland habitat shaped from remnant extraction pits with boardwalks, beaches, and launch points providing intimate water experiences, a central gathering place that welcomes users and guides them through the park, a central lawn that provides space for large gatherings and ceremony, as well as extensive trails and pathways that connect to the larger regional system.
2. Design Enhances Functionality
In answering, What is the purpose of this vast and relatively featureless place? the team traced the discernible landscape layers to help extract the dimensions of the place and focus.
Layers of previous uses are evident in stockpiles, agriculture, open water, and infrastructure, which in turn were used to develop a comprehensive passive recreational precinct offering a variety of “moments” within the park.
3. Design Creates Brand
Legacy and Community Connection: in a Place Keeping manner, the park will become a brand or a focal point for community connection that promotes health, well-being, and social cohesion. It will evolve with the community as it continues to grow around the park. Yet it will be a place of constant connection to the land and the natural and cultural systems that bind the community together.
4. Design Embeds Environmental Benefits
Blessed with natural beauty and located along the North Saskatchewan River, the park will become a welcoming gathering place and hub for inclusive outdoor recreation, nature appreciation, and storytelling, fostering a healthy and connected river valley system. The team looked to the broader regional landscape and historical information to develop a restoration approach that capitalizes on the latent opportunities of the site.
Extensive earth working is envisaged to create and restore habitats, enhancing the park’s ecosystems through the creation of diverse microclimates and habitat linkages, leading to increased site biodiversity. Remnant water bodies formed through the extraction process will be reshaped into wetlands and marshes. Fill generated from this process will be used to shape hills and valleys with various solar exposures to support diverse grassland plant communities.
The reshaping of the land is considered in conjunction with new trails and pathways, lookout points, and gathering spaces that will allow visitors to engage with the land and experience the regenerative process. In the north end of the park, the earthworks consider flooding from the river that will influence ecosystem development in this flood prone area. Over time, this zone will transition to a forest ecosystem enlarging an important wildlife corridor along the river. In the south and central zones, the shaping of the water bodies creates places for wetland ecosystems alongside beaches, boardwalks, and launch points, providing visitors with unique water experiences and learning opportunities. A skating loop and cross-country ski trails provide winter programs to be leverage alongside planned events.
5. Design Promotes Health and Wellbeing
Through extensive Indigenous, public, and stakeholder engagement, the project promotes cultural inclusivity, fostering a shared space where histories are celebrated, and stories are told. The park will be a place where all people are welcome and see themselves reflected in the space.
The circulation is layered with vehicle access limited to the south zone with parking areas at the Gathering Place and entry. A network of diverse pathway types explores the park and connects to adjacent regional pathways along the river.
The central gathering area is a welcoming place for all visitors. A covered indoor and outdoor space supports visitor experience with washrooms, meeting rooms, an outdoor amphitheatre, plaza, and large natural play area. The adjacent event lawn is a place in the park for large gatherings, ceremonies, and storytelling.
6. Key Success Performance Indicators
Creates a community destination
Restores habitat by reclaiming wasted land
Advances reconciliation actions by implementing a First Nations based conservancy approach
Provides for a comfortable and safe environment
Promotes socialization and outdoor exercise
Promotes community engagement by diverse users
Builds local brand recognition i.e. “Place Keeping”
Connects people to place
Fosters pride in local residents
7. Metrics
Number of visitors forecasted
Environmental restoration indicators
Wildlife reintroduction
