Devon gets 7 kilometres of new river valley trail

More than seven kilometres of new river valley trailsopened in Devon today, another leg of a trail system along the North Saskatchewan Riverthat will eventually connect Devon to Fort Saskatchewan.

This new primary trail system loops around Devon's Voyager Park with an access point alongside the North Saskatchewan river. It connects existing trails and the Devon Lions Campground.

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Around three kilometres of the new trail is paved, making it accessible for wheelchair users and parents with children in strollers.

The Devon Riverfront Trail is part of the River Valley Alliance Program (RVA), which has a goal of connecting 88 kilometres oftrails and parks along the river through seven municipalities. This would create the longest metropolitan park in North America, and make the river valley more accessible.

The RVA's Capital Programhas secured $90 million for the project. The federal Building Canada Fund, Government of Alberta and the municipalities that benefit from the project have each contributed $30 million.

"The trail is very unique." RVAexecutive director Larry Wall said.

"Devon has some of the most dramatic riverscapes and riverbanks of the whole system.The balance of the trails that they've upgraded around an older trail system providessome of the most interesting walking and biking trails in the whole region."

The Devon Riverfront Trail is the first of several other RVA projects to open this summer and fall.

The Terwillegar Pedestrian Bridge and west trails are set to open this fall, providing more access to Edmonton's river valley.

Parkland County is planning a Devonian Botanical Garden Trail, and Strathcona County will soon link to Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton by extending its Riverside Nature Trail.