Regional Partnerships – One Trail at a Time Presentation to Communities in Bloom

National Symposium 2018

AGENDA

1. Metro Edmonton River Valley

2. RVA • About Us • Governance Structure • Plan of Action

3. Capital Projects & Plans

4. Community Engagement

History of the River Valley

Frederick Gage Todd – 1907 “No one thing is more important for large cities or cities with great futures, that, early on, they secure open spaces for the benefit of future generations.”

Great Flood of 1915 • Destroyed many businesses & properties along the river

& filled it with tons of debris. • Damage est. at $615 million.

About the RVA

About the RVA Who: • Not-for-profit company created in 2003.

• 7 Municipal Shareholders: Town of Devon, Parkland County, County of Leduc, City of Edmonton, Strathcona County, City of Ft. Saskatchewan, Sturgeon County.

• Municipal representatives sit on Board of Directors.

What: To coordinate planning, funding & development of the trail system. Why: • Develop a world-class continuous & connected trail system along the North

Saskatchewan River Valley from Devon to Ft. Saskatchewan.

• Improve quality of life through access & enjoyment of the River Valley.

About the RVA

• The park system is ~100 kilometres long and includes 18,000 acres of land.

• By comparison Stanley Park in Vancouver is a 1,001 acre park.

• Over 12 million people visit and use our parks every year.

Plan of Action: 100 km Connected Primary Trail System

2009 25yr Plan of Action

approved by all municipalities;

1/3 funding model

2012

Capital Plan begins w/ $90M from all levels of

gov’t

2017 13 Capital

Project initiatives completed

2018 Seeking $100M Capital Funding

for Phase II Capital Program

2022 Completion of

Phase II Capital Program

2003 RVA

incorporated

Governance

Our Projects

CONNECTIVITY - ACCESSIBILITY

Beside the river (trails)

Over the river (pedestrian bridges)

To the river (boat docks)

New site for Fort Saskatchewan to Sturgeon County’s Lamoureux Trail pedestrian bridge

1/3 – 1/3 – 1/3 Funding Model

• The regionality component of the end-to-end connectivity was, and is, an important element in securing funding for the these projects.

• Through the Provincial and Federal grants ($60 million), the RVA funds 2/3 of capital costs – the municipality is responsible for 1/3 of the capital cost of any project within their municipality.

• The RVA does not determine the projects; each municipality determines their priorities, and is reimbursed when meeting grant criteria.

Municipality pays 100% cost up front

Municipality is reimbursed 2/3 from RVA

Community Engagement

• Encourage support for developing the park system

• Encourage regional tourism & support local businesses

• Connect with stakeholders & leverage relationships

• Celebrate, showcase, & encourage use of completed projects

• Raise awareness of upcoming projects

Thank You

Questions?

Slide Number 1Slide Number 2Slide Number 3Slide Number 4Slide Number 5Slide Number 6Slide Number 7Slide Number 8About the RVA About the RVA Slide Number 11Slide Number 12Slide Number 13Slide Number 14GovernanceSlide Number 16Slide Number 17Slide Number 18Slide Number 191/3 – 1/3 – 1/3 Funding ModelSlide Number 21Slide Number 22Slide Number 23Slide Number 24Thank You