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Edmonton floats idea of a new provincial park inside city borders
Edmonton is set to debate the possibility of a new urban provincial park on Tuesday. Here’s a map of where it’s being proposed.
Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson is lobbying for the creation of a new provincial park within city boundaries.
The park would protect the Big Island-Woodbend area and could be co-managed with the Enoch Cree Nation, since it overlaps with traditional Enoch territory.
“It really is a phenomenal area,” said Iveson. “Big Island really was the first beach area. Paddle-wheelers used to go up there. It was a day trip for families then it fell out of use. But the beauty that was there 100 years ago is still fully there.”
“It’s a stunning area that’s largely untouched,” he said, adding that some areas that were previously farmed could be great for a campground or gathering space.
The first details of the plan were released in a report to council Friday. The report says the mayor’s office held initial discussions with the province, Enoch and other regional stakeholders this spring and now needs formal approval to proceed. “All stakeholder representatives indicated interest in principle for continuing the discussion,” according to the report to council.
Edmonton has been debating how best to protect the Big Island area for years. It’s now mostly private land with a beautiful sand dune, deep ravine and long back-channel on the river with some key fish habitat.
http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...-of-a-new-provincial-park-inside-city-borders