St. Albert flower fans can now take a stroll down memory lane by way of a new brick path at the city’s botanic park.
About 80 people were at the St. Albert Botanic Park Aug. 18 for the grand opening of Memory Lane — an undulating brick pathway which winds its way between the lilies and peonies of the park’s west wing. Embedded in the path are 139 bricks engraved with names and messages from donors to the project.
Park volunteers have for many years wanted to add a brick path to the park’s west wing for wheelchair accessibility, said Lyn Reynolds, president of the Society of Friends for the St. Albert Botanic Park. The path project kicked into high gear in 2021 after society treasurer Wendy Loar came up with the idea of selling commemorative bricks along the path.
In an interview, Loar recalled how her mother was unable to visit the park’s west wing in her later years as her walker wouldn’t work in the wing’s grassy, bumpy terrain.
“Now, everyone will be able to get right from the parking lot to the far end of the park,” she said.
Volunteers rallied some $150,000 in donations for the path project. Construction commenced June 24, with the first bricks laid July 13.
Reynolds said volunteers spent nearly two weeks prior to the opening pulling a jungle of weeds from the flowerbeds in the west wing, which had been off limits to them for two months during the path’s construction.
“You couldn’t tell where the flowers ended and the weeds began!” she said.
Reynolds thanked volunteers for their efforts and said she was overjoyed to see the path finished.
“Now all our guests can come and enjoy all the park.”
Reynolds singled out Edmonton donor Fran James for praise, saying the Memory Lane project could not have proceeded this year without her substantial support.
James, an Edmonton resident, said she was a long-time fan of the St. Albert Botanic Park and its volunteers.
“I’ve just been crazy about nature since I could barely walk,” she said.
“I feel it’s a place where you can go to heal, find comfort, and rest.”
Storied stones
Amidst glittering dragonflies and scorching heat, James opened Memory Lane by cutting a ceremonial yellow ribbon, assisted by St. Albert–Edmonton MP Michael Cooper, Mayor Cathy Heron, and Coun. Ken MacKay. Guests strolled or rolled down the path, many with their eyes glued to the ground as they read the engraved bricks.
Memory Lane started and ended with two large slabs featuring quotes from James. The first called on guests to “Let Nature’s Wonder and Beauty embrace your Soul,” while the second described a garden as “a good and loyal friend / One you can visit any time.”
Other bricks on the trail honoured former St. Albert city parks planner John Beedle, former city councillor Margaret Plain, and Thomas and Florence Atkinson (who once farmed the land upon which the botanic park stands today).
Catherine Roberts had a brick dedicated to her late husband Richard, who often walked on the trails near the botanic park. The brick features the quote, “You are my sunshine,” which Roberts said was appropriate, as Richard’s ashes were scattered on Mount Sunshine.
“Having something close by means I don’t have to climb a mountain to honour him,” she said.
Loar said there are still 104 blank bricks on Memory Lane available for engraving, each priced at $300 to $500.
Memory Lane and the botanic park are open from sunrise to sunset. Visit stalbertbotanicpark.com for details.
