Downtown Surprise
User Story
By Lauren Ladner
I lived on Jasper Avenue and 117 Street on the 9th floor of a high-rise apartment building in Edmonton for three years. Of course, living on the busiest street of downtown Edmonton meant that life was always moving, and Jasper Avenue provided all the charms of that energetic downtown lifestyle. Endless rows of people hustling about, the smell of fresh coffee pouring out of doors on every street corner, and humming bright lights that made you feel like you were never alone. There was always something to do; there was always something going on. I loved this lifestyle.
One night while I was still unpacking from the move to the apartment, I looked out of my window and stared outside in awe at the massive snowflakes falling from the sky. It was 3 o’clock in the morning and I was still relatively new to the area, but I had the urge to go outside and see these monster flakes up close. I rushed out into the brisk air and watched the snowflakes steadily fall from the sky, patiently and in perfect rhythm. Jasper Avenue seemed so quiet, quieter than it normally was, and I felt like I could almost hear the snowflakes hitting the sidewalk. I walked by two men who were bundled up in mittens and toques, gazing at the sky. “Isn’t this incredible?” they said to me as I smiled and strolled past them. It was incredible, and I wanted to stay outside, so I decided that I would go exploring.
I walked 1 block south of Jasper Avenue and realized that the road stopped just up ahead. I followed the road and approached a railing that stretched out horizontally in front of me. It seemed to be some sort of promenade. I walked up to the railing and lost my breath. I was standing high above thousands of white-tipped trees — their presence was expansive and they seemed to stretch out everywhere. At first I thought I was overlooking the North Saskatchewan River, but I could see that it was actually the Victoria Golf Course, though I knew the river was not far away. I could see the tiny headlights of cars crossing the high level bridge in the distance to the left. The bridge loomed over the tops of the trees and for that moment I felt like I was looking at something no one else had ever seen. Benches lined the promenade, and I knew that this must be a popular destination for people wanting to look at something beautiful. I stood there — snowflakes falling heavy on my head and for some reason I started to cry. The scene paralyzed me and I knew this was a moment I would remember until I grew old.
That promenade on 100 Avenue and 117 Street became my second home when I lived downtown. I was there a lot; whether it was to write, jog, contemplate, read, or even socialize. It became the place I went to with a coffee, when I needed a pick-me-up, when I needed inspiration, or when I just needed a break from city life. It amazed me that 1 block away from my downtown apartment on Jasper Avenue laid this retreat. It amazed me that in the heart of the city was a place with such beautiful greenery and breathtaking scenery. It was that moment overlooking the promenade that I realized downtown Edmonton has everything a person could need.
