New River Valley public park to open in northeast Edmonton

The City of Edmonton has purchased a piece of land the size of 150 football fields to open a new park in northeast Edmonton.

The 190 acres of parkland, along the North Saskatchewan River at 17 Street NE and 153 Avenue NE, will be open to the public this summer.

The city says the Northeast River Valley Park features an ornamental lake, barn bridges, children’s playgrounds, and a large event centre for gatherings.

Edmonton’s River Valley is already the largest urban park in Canada.

“There will be outdoor space opportunities,” said Juanita Spence, the supervisor of River Valley Parks and Facilities. “Picnic spaces, walking, hiking. We connect beautifully to the River Valley trails, that you can explore all the way to west Edmonton if you want from here.”

The city believes the new park can act as a replacement for the popular Hawrelak Park, which closed this spring for rehabilitation work until at least 2026.

“We’re really excited about the timing of it,” said Spence. “Hawrelak Park is a popular place for people to spend their summer months, and a good destination for festivals and summer events, and we hope to see that same type of activity here, so a new place for people to come out and enjoy a nice, beautiful setting.”

Northeast River Valley Park in Edmonton. (Courtesy: City of Edmonton)

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi says he hopes the Northeast River Valley Park can become a “destination point” for Edmontonians living in the northeast of the city.

“When you go to Rundle park, you see people picnicking, playing soccer, playing ball, people just hanging out and kids, there’s a spray park there,” he said. “So many amenities already exist. My vision us for this site to be similar like Rundle Park and Hawrelak Park.

“And we are so proud that it is growing in the northeast part of the city. Because this part of Edmonton has lacked amenities, and will grow to accommodate more than 70,000 new residents, and those residents need access to green spaces.”

The 70,000 residents is the anticipated population of five future neighbourhoods as part of the Horse Hill Area Structure Plan.

“This could be an addition to the River Valley that Edmontonians so much cherish,” added Sohi.

Northeast River Valley Park in Edmonton on May 18, 2023. (Submitted by: City of Edmonton)

While the comparisons to Hawrelak are obvious, city councillor Aaron Paquette says the new public park can stand out by its differences.

“It’s a little bit different than most parks you will see in Edmonton in that you have these wide expanses, and you can see all of this wildlife in the air and all around you,” he said.

Paquette said he’s already spotted numerous birds while in the park.

“To me, that really speaks to the values that we share as Edmontonians that we live in this space, but we also share this space with all of our relations,” he said. “And this park really gives that feeling, that strong feeling that we are all here together.”

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The city acquired the Northeast River Valley Park on May 15. It’s expected to open to the public late this summer “in order for staff and crews to perform proper inspections, maintenance work and prepare the facilities and grounds for public use,” the city said in a statement.

An official name for the park will follow a concept-planning process that is expected to begin later this year, of which residents are invited to take part.

“It’s a beautiful trail system,” said Sohi. “Yes, we have to build some parking lots for people who need to drive, and access to public transit will be looked at and improved as we develop through consultation with the community.”