Posts tagged with "Heritage"

The town of Gibbons lies about 30 minutes away from Edmonton to its North-East, situated on the Southern banks of the Sturgeon River. Just over 3000 people reside in the almost 7.5 square kilometres that make up the town. Though comparatively a very small community, it is by no means isolated, considering its proximity to Bon Accord, Namao, Fort Saskatchewan, Redwater, and Morinville. Not to mention the short drive to Edmonton, if the amenities of a larger city are necessary.

Restored Photo of the Gibbons Grain Elevator. Image Credit: Shaun Merrigan via Flikr

The small town is quite old by Alberta standards, and rich in history, as their official website will boast to you. In 1892 William Reynolds Gibbons, an adventurous pioneer, settled the area along with his wife and three kids. Apparently the group was headed for Edmonton but extenuating circumstances (induing the railroad being incomplete as of yet) fated them to start their own settlement, aptly taking the family name ‘Gibbons’.

Image Credit: City of Gibbons

The town, since its very roots, has been a family oriented community and carries on this tradition into present day. This means a focus on recreational and community activities, with a whole host of programs dedicated to children and youth. Not to be overshadowed, there is also a strong arts and cultural presence to delight children and adults alike.

According to the town’s extensive website:

Residents and visitors can fish for trout in the stocked fish pond, take a walk along the river valley, share a picnic in the park or just enjoy the unmatched scenery. Watch history come alive when you visit the Gibbons Museum or visit nearby Jurassic Forest and spend some time with the dinosaurs.

Among the plethora of recreational facilities and activities, one sport rises above. Hockey is an increasingly focal point for the community’s youth, with the CNN Spurs minor hockey program in effect. This caters to all levels from initiation to midget, and includes a female program as well. All housed in the Gibbons arena, which is also home to many other teams, as well as a mens league. Adjoining the arena is the Gibbons Curling Club.

Gibbons Broncos Hockey Team. Image Credit: The Morinville News

Gibbons is also home to a cultural centre, which puts on many events throughout the year and even houses the municipal library. There is a town museum open in the summertime which “Celebrat[es] the local Pioneer history of Gibbons and the surrounding Sturgeon river area”.

Gibbons Museum Grounds. Image Credit: Gibbons Museum

There are two elementary schools in town, a junior high, and a learning centre focused on the high school level as well as adult education. There are multiple doctor and dental offices, a pharmacy, and a medical centre.

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The communities of Sweet Grass, Ermineskin, and Bearspaw comprise a large part of Edmonton’s south. These areas are almost exclusively residential and include large expanses of green space. They all share convenient access to the major shopping areas of Southgate Centre, South Edmonton Common, as well as proximity to the new LRT extension.

Sweet Grass borders 34 Avenue to the north, and it’s southern border partially includes Saddleback road and runs along a utility corridor, while it’s east and west boundaries run from 111 Street to 119 Street.  The area was annexed to the City of Edmonton in 1964, and residential development occurred throughout the 1970’s and into the early 1980’s. The area is a blend of single-family-dwellings, row houses, and low rise apartments and the residences are a combination of owner occupied and rental properties.

Sweet Grass Park. Image Credit: Yegishome.ca

Like many other communities in Edmonton’s south-west, Sweet Grass is named to honour the rich aboriginal history of the area. Chief Sweet Grass was a Cree political leader and early environmentalist who was actively outspoken about protecting bison herds common to the region.

The neighborhood’s focus is the central elementary school, bordered by parkland and recreational areas.

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Ermineskin falls to the south-east of Sweet Grass, it’s northern border a utility corridor just south of Saddleback road while it’s south borders 23 Avenue. It runs from 111 Street in the west to Calgary trail in the East.

Major residential construction of Ermineskin occurred in the 1970’s into the 1980’s, however some residences can be dated back to just earlier than 1960 and also later than 1990. The area is comprised mainly of rental apartments, following by apartment style condominiums. The remainder of the area is comprised of single-family dwellings, row houses, and duplexes.

Ermineskin Craft Fair. Image Credit: Ermineskin Community League

A prominent neighborhood feature is the former Heritage Mall development site, located on the western boundary of the neighborhood which began a major overhaul in the 2000’s. The location now know as “Century Park” encompasses commercial, office, and residential sites. The location also includes a central recreation area and the newest LRT station, Century Park.

This development and addition of green space has revitalized the area’s very active community league. The Ermineskin Community League hosts year-round events, fundraiser, and ongoing programs such as Zumba classes, pancake breakfasts,  rummage sales, quilting, hockey, scrap booking, and more.

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Bearspaw lies a few communities south of Ermineskin, bordered by Blackmud Creek in the west to Calgary Trail, and from Anthony Henday Drive in the south it runs north until 18 Avenue. Bounded by these major thoroughfares, the community has convenient access to major commercial shopping in the south, as well as access the Edmonton International Airport and the University of Alberta.

Combined with it’s northern neighbor of Keheewin, the two areas comprise the Yellowbird East Community League. This community league organizes children’s athletics, as well as adult recreation, community events, and fundraisers for the two neighborhoods.

Bearspaw Lake. Image credit: Yegishome.ca

The area is conducive to outdoor recreation activity due to it’s proximity to Big Bear Park, a large hill with Blackmud Creek Ravine access to hiking, as well as a major greenbelt running along Bearspaw lake which the neighborhood centers around. Additionally, the William Lutsky Family YMCA is also located in the area, for indoor fitness and leisure access.

Bearspaw became a part of the city officially in 1974, however most development didn’t occur until the 1980’s when many of it’s single-family dwellings were constructed, though semi-detached and row houses can also be found. The area is predominantly owner-occupied, with only about a 9% rental rate.

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