St. Albert has won yet another award for the recent redevelopment of Grey Nuns White Spruce Park on Hogan Road, the city announced this morning.
The Municipal Environmental Award was presented by Alberta Municipalities, an advocacy organization representing all municipalities to higher levels of government, on Sept. 26.
A city news release says the award recognizes overall achievement in administration of municipal environmental practices.
“Grey Nuns White Spruce Park is a designated Municipal Historic Resource located east of Ray Gibbon Drive and provides habitat for a variety of birds, mammals, plants and amphibians, as well as trees well over 100 years old,” the release states. “New amenities were constructed in 2022 to promote environmental stewardship of the park while enhancing accessibility for all to explore, gather and learn more about this unique area.”
“The improvements included four kilometres of trails, boardwalks, viewpoints, two outdoor classrooms, a picnic shelter and nature play area. Trails were developed on informal footpaths and in existing disturbed areas, with almost no tree clearing needed for construction.”
The release also says crews planted some 2,000 white spruce seedlings during construction, which means more than 23,000 seedlings have been planted in the area in the past decade.
“Grey Nuns White Spruce Park has great historical and environmental significance in our community,” Mayor Cathy Heron said in the release. “This award is a result of the city’s ongoing commitment to protect natural spaces while maintaining accessibility.”
“We hope these new amenities help residents explore the park responsibly and respectfully.”
Earlier this summer the city also received an Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Award for Grey Nuns White Spruce Park from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators.
“The development was a collaborative effort led by the city alongside the St. Albert-Sturgeon County Métis Local #1904, valued community members and contractors,” the release states.
“The city is also grateful for the financial contributions of the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta that supported this project.”
