Running Through the River Valley
User Story
By Victoria Elliott
The sun is a crimson promise on the horizon as we set off on our jog through the River Valley. I hate running, but I love cheesecake. I need to do one to have the other. As we pound along the pavement it’s easy to forget that you are in a city. The distant hum of motors and occasional glimpses of buildings through dense foliage serve only as brief reminders of the urban tangle that encircles the largest park in North America.
With over 150 km of trails in the Edmonton River Valley, there are many paths to choose from. I turn right at a fork in the trail and I am led down and behind the Royal Glenora Club. The trees are slowly turning yellow and there is a chilly breeze. In the summertime I normally see people playing tennis on the club’s outdoor courts. Today, the courts are abandoned. The trail leads us past the club and soon we are running parallel to River Valley Road.
River Valley Road is one of the most beautiful roads in Edmonton. The stretch we are running along is bordered by Victoria Park and the North Saskatchewan River Valley, for which the road is named. Tall Poplars grow on either side of the road, and as we are running we can occasionally catch a glimpse of the river itself through the branches. This is my favorite part. Despite the early hour, there are many people on this stretch of trail. Breathlessly, I nod to a pair of joggers coming in the opposite direction.
When running on the trail along the River Valley Road, it’s hard to understand the need to run in groups. However, when you factor in the long stretches of trail that meander through the thick vegetation of the valley – the need becomes sadly apparent. The very thing that makes the River Valley beautiful can also make it dangerous. Lush undergrowth, twists and turns in the trail, and the ever‐present press of trees all provide good hiding places for those who may cause harm. The isolation attracts some of the city’s vagrants and homeless.
I do not let this curb my enjoyment of the River Valley. It just means that I take some steps in ensuring my safety. I don’t run at night, and I don’t run alone. For me, this is common sense. During the day, there are many joggers and cyclists on the trails and you are less likely to be bothered if you are running with someone else. Today I am running with my friend Christy. As we near the LRT Bridge we slow down. The curving ramp that leads from the trail onto the bridge is the perfect place to stop for a break.
Christy is the first one there, and she leans against the bright blue rail to stretch her calves. I join her and follow suit. From here we have an unobstructed view of the river and I point out a pair of mallard ducks that are swimming close to the shore. The water is shallow here and we can see all the way down to the riverbed. Occasionally, one of the mallards will dip its head down into the water; its small orange feet pedaling in the air as it forages for food in the shallows. It’s cute.
Our break is over, so we carry on running across the bridge. In my opinion, there is nowhere else to get a better view of the valley. Looking to my right, I can see a family paddling on the river in a canoe, their bright red life jackets contrasting with the blues and browns of the river. Up and to my left hunkers the High Level Bridge. It is a solid mass of black steel girders stretching across the river. For all its reminiscence of the industrial revolution, this hulking structure becomes almost delicate when, on Canada Day, city officials shut the bridge down to construct a massive waterfall that splashes into the river.
Slowing as we reach the end of the bridge, I turn to face Christy. “Race you back.”
