For Immediate Release / July 19, 2022
City Receives Federal Funding for Grey Nuns White Spruce Park Construction
The City of St. Albert has received $750,000 in federal funding support to assist in the advancement of construction in Grey Nuns White Spruce Park.
This funding is provided through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF), a two-year, $500 million national infrastructure program to support communities across the country with projects that revitalize downtown cores and main streets, reinvent outdoor spaces, create green infrastructure, and address accessibility of community space. PrairiesCan is administering the CCRF in Alberta.
A designated Municipal Historic Resource, Grey Nuns White Spruce Park is home to white spruce trees over 100 years old and is a habitat for a variety of birds, mammals, amphibians, and plants. As the City grows, it is vital to provide public access to the park that is respectful of the environment and sustainable for the long-term.
This funding support will contribute to the project goal of increasing accessibility in the park through the construction of a variety of trails and community spaces.
“The City of St. Albert is committed to protecting the forest and supporting its ongoing sustainability,” Mayor Cathy Heron shares. “This investment from our federal partners allows us to provide amenities that promote social and educational use in Grey Nuns White Spruce Park, as well as create more opportunities for our community to gather together, explore the forest and continue to practice environmental stewardship in the space.”
“Our government is continuing to make investments through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund that help ensure people of all ages and abilities can benefit from inviting, modern gathering places and recreational amenities,” said the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan. “Through our partnership with the City of St. Albert, we’re helping to reimagine Grey Nuns White Spruce Park as an accessible community space for residents and visitors to get together while also promoting environment stewardship.”
“Outdoor green spaces are vital for communities across Alberta, bringing people together and supporting activities for residents and visitors alike,” said the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister for Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance. “Today’s investment will support the creation of a vibrant and sustainable space for community activities in St. Albert for years to come.”
The new amenities in Grey Nuns White Spruce Park will include two outdoor classrooms including an artist-designed space mimicking the look of a bird’s nest, two new viewpoints including a river lookout designed in the shape of a beaver tail with railings modelled after a beaver dam, a picnic shelter, and a small nature play area where visitors can climb, balance, and explore all-natural material play structures.
The site will also feature multiple trail types, ranging from woodchip and gravel trails to wooden boardwalks and an accessible and bicycle-friendly multi-use trail surrounding the exterior of the forest.
As it is a priority for the City to minimize impact to the site during construction, existing disturbed areas will be used to create the trails and park amenities.
Learn more about Grey Nuns White Spruce Park at stalbert.ca.
Learn more about the Canada Community Revitalization Fund.
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Last edited: July 19, 2022