Report for Community Services Committee March 15, 2004 Meeting

Forestry Capital Society’s Legacy Project (A. Bolstad)

Report Summary

This report provides a response to an administrative inquiry regarding the Edmonton 1994 Capital Forestry Society’s Legacy Project.

Previous Council/Committee Action

At the January 20, 2004, City Council meeting, Councillor A. Bolstad made the following inquiry:

“This inquiry pertains to the Forestry Capital Society’s Legacy Project which was introduced with a good deal of fanfare in 1994. As you may recall, this project followed on the heels of Edmonton being recognized as the Forestry Capital of Canada that year.

The Legacy Project from those heady days was to include the development of two forestry interpretative centres, one at the mouth of Whitemud Ravine, the other at the John Walter Museum site. It was also to include the installation of a series of interpretative signs throughout sections of our river valley and a number of educational programs.

As I recall some funds were raised toward these ends.

Hence, my questions are as follows:

1. Was anything ever built?
2. Did the City contribute any funds toward this project?
3. Has the project been discontinued? If so, what happened to any of the funds that were raised?
4. Does the City’s Community Services Department have any intention of trying to resurrect it, or any portion of it, in any way?

I would appreciate it if Administration could respond to these questions in a brief report to Council’s Community Services Committee.”

Report

Background

• In 1994 the City of Edmonton was designated the National Forestry Capital. A key component to the City’s successful bid for this title was the Edmonton 1994 Forestry Capital Society’s Legacy Project. This legacy was to become and remain a source of pride, a benefit to the community and a reminder of the designation well into the future.
• The Forestry Legacy Society (the Society) proposed the development of the following as part of the Legacy Project:

-An Interpretive Centre at Kinsmen Park to be located at John Walter Museum.

-An Interpretive Centre at the mouth of the Whitemud Nature Reserve.

• Both Interpretation Centres would provide further understanding and appreciation of the forestry industry. The centres would also encourage individuals and groups to walk the trail system and see first hand the urban forest ecosystem.
• The Forest Capital Trail Project – The Society would provide interpretive signage along the trail system linking the two interpretation centres. The signage would point out various forest foliage areas, cultural/historical points of interest and other relevant material. The trail would be re-named to enhance recognition of the trail component and raise awareness of the river valley forest system as a whole.
• The Edmonton 1994 Capital Forestry Society’s Legacy Project was discontinued and remaining funds were donated to an environmental education society. The Society completed the Forest Trail Project and the City completed a smaller interpretation centre at John Walter Museum.

1. Was anything ever built?

The Society completed the Forest Capital Trail project. The trail was officially named through the Names Advisory Committee and interpretive signs were manufactured and installed along the length of the trail.

1. Did the City contribute any funds toward this project?

The City did not contribute any funds towards this project nor were there funds allocated for the project.

1. Has the project been discontinued? If so, what happened to any of the funds that were raised?

The project with respect to interpretive centres development has been discontinued. Any remaining funds not spent were donated to an environmental education society with a forestry interest.

1. Does the City’s Community Services Department have any intention of trying to resurrect it, or any portion of it, in any way?

The Community Services Department re-constructed a small preparation/interpretive centre at the John Walter Museum site to replace a building demolished for safety reasons. Based upon the Council approved Whitemud Integrated Concept Plan, Community Services Department does not intend to resurrect this project at this second site.

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