Cha cha changes to active transportation through parks

If you use the river valley as part of your active transportation network, this is a heads up that there are several changes happening in Edmonton parks over the next while, which may impact your travels.  

The first is William Hawrelak Park, which has access points to Buena Vista Park and Emily Murphy Park. Hawrelak has been identified as a priority for rehabilitation and will be closed for a considerable time to address the aging park infrastructure. That means upgrades, repairs or replacements to many of the park amenities. The 10-year rehabilitation plan was finalized in 2019 and will guide reinvestment in the park. The rehabilitation is slated to start in 2023. 

The City of Edmonton is also in the midst of negotiating with Parks Canada and Indigenous representatives from Treaty Six and the Metis nation to create a national urban park in the Edmonton region. This park, in addition to creating more access to green spaces for Edmontonians, will also provide cultural and land-based healing opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.  It is unclear if the entire river valley will be declared a national urban park or only segments will be.