16 kilometres of new trails added to city network

Edmonton officially has unveiled another 16 kilometres of river valley trails.

On Friday, Coun. Aaron Paquette and Brent Collingwood, River Valley Alliance executive director, opened the completed East End Trails Project in Edmonton’s northeast.

The $8.5-million asphalt and gravel trails were funded in partnership with the City of Edmonton, River Valley Alliance, the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada.

“On behalf of city council and Edmontonians, we thank our funding partners for this muchneeded investment in our river valley,” Paquette said. “These trails provide the northeast with more access to recreation, mobility, and a chance to get outdoors to enjoy our beautiful city.”

The system includes a main asphalt trail on the north side of the river from Hermitage Park to 167 Avenue.

The trail on the south side of the river features a secondary gravel trail connecting the Clover Bar area to the Anthony Henday Drive pedestrian bridge crossing, recently constructed by the Government of Alberta.

“The completion of this project gets us one step closer to the River Valley Alliance’s vision of a connected, continuous river valley trail system that extends all the way from Devon to Fort Saskatchewan,” Collingwood said.

Remaining Edmonton River Valley Alliance projects include new boat docks and launches, which will be completed in late 2018, depending on river levels. Projects completed to date are the Terwillegar Park Footbridge, West End Trails and the funicular.

ED KAISER Members of the community celebrate the grand opening Friday of the East End Trails at Fraser Ravine Viewpoint, a move that adds 16 kilometres of asphalt and gravel trails to the river valley trail system. It’s part of a five-year capital plan to connect and enhance trails and amenities along the North Saskatchewan River.