Edmonton city council talks river valley future

The future of Edmonton’s river valley was up for debate at City Hall on Monday. Councillors are discussing rules around development and conservation, but some advocates say more needs to be done to protect the natural area.

“Yes, there should be access, but they have to realize that every time you put in a formal trail, you give access to remote areas where people can create these informal natural surface trails,” said Pasty Cotterill, who has lived near the river valley for 45 years.

Cotterill was one of several Edmontonians calling on councillors to keep the environment top of mind, as the City looks to update the rules for river valley development bylaws governing development and conservation.

Councillors hearing that as Edmonton’s population continues to grow, there needs to be a plan to both protect the largest urban green space in North America, while also providing more public access to the valley and ravines in the city. 

City leaders say they have questions about what’s allowed to be built in Edmonton’s river valley.

“The level of involvement that can occur and the size of the development — I think that’s something I would want to clarify. And what happens to existing facilities if they need to be upgraded or refurbished?” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

But for Cotterill, she wants city council to develop and promote other natural parks and wooded areas of the city as outdoor options for Edmontonians. 

“They could use those, they could promote those areas, especially reaching those people who live far from the river valley,” said Cotterill.