May 21, 2010
(Red Deer, Alberta) – The development of Maskepetoon Park, located on the north side of the Red Deer River across from Heritage Ranch, is well underway, and the next major step in its development will be the installation of two walking bridges on May 26, 2010.
The two bridges will be dropped into place using a heavy lift helicopter, resulting in significantly less impact to the park’s sensitive ecological features when compared to traditional bridge construction practices.
Due to the need to use Great Chief Park as a staging area for the installation of the bridges, the following areas will be closed for a portion of the day on May 26: Great Chief Park, Bower Ponds, Cronquist House, the Kiwanis Picnic Shelter, and portions of the Waskasoo trail system between the north river pedestrian bridge and Bower Ponds. Maskepetoon Park will also be closed during this time.
“Maskepetoon Park is one of the city’s most unique natural areas and is being developed so that it remains that way,” said Dave Matthews, Planning & Technical Services Supervisor with The City. ”Low-impact development techniques will allow visitors to enjoy the park, while at the same time ensuring minimal disturbance to its natural setting. This will reduce the amount of illegitimate use and related damage that tends to take place in large, undeveloped natural settings found within the urban environment.”
Please note that the bridge installation schedule is weather dependant and may require rescheduling, resulting in further closures of these areas later in the week. For safety reasons, citizens are asked to adhere to all closures and avoid these areas during the installation period.
For more information, visit www.reddeer.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Dave Matthews
Planning & Technical Services Supervisor
The City of Red Deer
403-314-5853
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