The City’s River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan received an Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Recreation Planning from the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP).

“This award reconfirms the importance of proactive planning when it comes to parks and open spaces in the City’s future growth areas,” said City Manager Craig Curtis. “We are lucky to have a park system that is well integrated with our waterways, and this concept plan helps ensure we maintain this connection as we move forward to develop future parks and open spaces.”

Developed in collaboration with the City of Red Deer, the County of Red Deer and consultants from O2 Planning + Design Inc., The River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan outlines a vision for future development of parks and trails within the City of Red Deer Growth Area. It identifies lands best suited for potential trails and parks with a focus on extending Red Deer’s existing Waskasoo Park system.

The award credits the plan with excellence, innovation, contribution to the body of professional knowledge, implementation potential and presentation, said Curtis.

It was one of 44 award submissions CIP received this year as part of its Awards for Planning Excellence.

“This plan builds on our community’s vision for expanding and developing the Waskasoo Park to ensure long-term public access to the Red Deer River and tributary creeks while continuing to protect the natural ecosystems that are vital to our quality of life,” said Trevor Poth, parks superintendent.

Community involvement was an essential part of the plan development process.

“This plan outlines a vision created with and supported by the community, and we will continue to foster community involvement as we prioritize and implement recommendations from the plan,” said Poth.

Red Deer County council and the City of Red Deer council referenced the River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan in the amendments to the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) adopted in August 2010.

“This award is a great example of regional cooperation between our two municipalities,” said County Manager Curtis Herzberg. “The plan provides a vision and long-term strategy for development of parks and open spaces.”

Visit www.reddeer.ca for more detailed information about the River Valley and Tributaries Park Concept Plan.

– Fawcett