Edmonton’s Northeast River Valley Park opens Sunday

Ponds, trails, open green spaces – that’s what the city’s newest and biggest-ever park is offering in northeast Edmonton.

The 190-acre Northeast River Valley Park is just on the outside of the Anthony Henday Drive by the Quarry golf course.

The goal of the new park is to connect the popular River Valley trails with the surrounding community, which has expanded over the years.

The park along the North Saskatchewan River at 17 Street NE and 153 Avenue NE is roughly the size of 150 football fields.

The new natural green space offers opportunities to Edmontonians that other parks don’t provide. At the centre is a massive venue hall for weddings or other events. The park also features an ornamental lake, barn bridges and children’s playgrounds.

Public opening of Edmonton’s Northeast River Valley Park Sept. 24, 2023. (Adam Ziccarelli, CityNews)

One of the main concerns is accessibility. The park is on the edge of the city and there are no public transit routes nearby. City officials say they are working to make it more accessible to Edmontonians.

“Right now, we’re working on a plan to get more transit out here, in fact more transit around the city, which people might appreciate,” said Ward Dene Coun. Aaron Paquette. “But specifically here, we are definitely getting more transit out here and this is one of those gems, a destination area.”

The city acquired the land May 15. No official price tag was announced but officials say the initial cost of the land was around $14 million.

The park did not open immediately to the public “in order for staff and crews to perform proper inspections, maintenance work and prepare the facilities and grounds for public use,” the city said.

The public park was initially meant to open last month but was delayed by the migratory bird nesting season.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi speaking at the public opening of Edmonton’s Northeast River Valley Park Sept. 24, 2023. (Adam Ziccarelli, CityNews)

An official name for the park will follow a concept-planning process that is expected to begin this fall. Residents are invited to take part in public engagement opportunities for their input.

“Internally, we’ve had a lot of ideas but really it’s the public who’s going to be making the calls on this one,” said Paquette. “We’ve already heard people want more trees, but we’ve also heard people want more open spaces. So, how we balance all those things is going to be very cool.”