Construction on Founders' Walk is currently under way.
The walk starts at the downtown clock tower, runs along Perron Street and up Mission Hill on the other side of the Sturgeon River towards the St. Albert Catholic Church. The new 500 meters of trail will feature wide, winding sidewalks accessible for people with disabilities and seating areas for people along the sometimes-steep hill.
Storyboards in English, French and Cree detailing the history of St. Albert will line the path. Native plants and grasses will also be in place along the path up the hill, which also passes the Little White School House.
The city budgeted $800,000 for the project, with the province kicking in another $400,000. The project is one of several being completed in time for the city's 150th anniversary celebrations in 2011.
Ray Pinco, a member of the St. Albert Historical Society and a catalyst for the project, said the path is an important part of the city's history. When the Father Lacombe Chapel was first built at the top of Mission Hill and the commercial and residential area grew at the bottom, the path served as the connection between the faithful and the church.
"St. Albert does have a history that is older than most of the prairies," he said. "The more occasions we can embark on to let people know we were here before 1860, we will do that."
The original Founders' Walk was created around 1980, according to Pinco. He believes the walkway will serve as a reminder to the city of the different people involved in St. Albert's history, from Métis settlers to those who expanded the city over time.
"It honours our founders in all their varieties."
Pique interest
Gail Barrington-Moss, the city's culture director, hopes the walk will pique the interest of not only tourists, but residents as well. Many St. Albert citizens are unaware of the city's history and place in the growth of Alberta.
"It's a gift to the community," she said. "We want to encourage people to sit and contemplate the history."
Community projects manager Christine Garnier said the project, which started in June eight days late, was running on schedule but added that recent poor weather could serve as an issue closer to the fall. However, Garnier has faith the majority of the work will be done by next spring when the signs will be installed.
She said the committee wanted to keep the boards a surprise until then, when the path will be officially opened to the public.
