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Parkallen Newsletter - Summer 2012
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S P E C I A L S U M M E R I S S U E J U L Y 2 0 1 2
In this issue:
Summer in the park: keep it clean
Important update from the 109 street ARP
Summer fun in the park: camps, spray deck, and more!
Block party!
Join your community league
Local Motion Part II
Parkallen News
The arrival of summer brings more people out to enjoy our
wonderful park. Unfortunately, it can also bring littering,
loitering, and misuse. Here are some tips to keep our park clean
and safe.
Report suspicious behaviour If you see any suspicious behaviour in the park, please report it; be prepared to provide descriptions of individuals involved. If you see a crime in progress, call 911; otherwise, call the Edmonton Police Department’s complaint line: 780-423-4567. Did you know that city parks are closed after 11 p.m., and that there is a fine for being there after hours? If you see individuals in the park after hours, you are encouraged to report that as well. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like more information on crime prevention, you can email our community constables, Paul Sinclair and Mike Elliot, at [email protected]. Or visit www.edmontonpolice.ca. Garbage
Bins are provided throughout the park; please pick up garbage others have left behind if it is safe to do so. If you see broken glass, biohazards, or any other material that puts the public at risk, call 311 and ask that a City of Edmonton parks maintenance crew be sent out to clean it up. Dog owners! We now have a “Doggie Doo Bag Dispenser” in the park. Our goal is a safe, welcoming, community park. Let’s work
together to create and protect this environment.
The next Parkallen
Community League meeting
has been scheduled for
September. This will be a
special meeting during which
last year’s books and next
year’s budget will be
approved.
September 12
7 p.m.
Parkallen Hall
6510 – 111 Street
Special
meeting of the
community league
Welcome to summer in Parkallen
Note:
This issue has some
important information
about the long term plan
for our community. Please
take a moment to read
Jan Hardstaff’s report on
page 3.
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SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE JULY, 2012 PARKALLEN NEWS
Summer’s here … time to get out and play! Day camps available
Off-season hockey rink usage At the Parkallen Community League’s annual general meeting in May, the grassy area inside the hockey rink was designated as a space that the community may use for league-approved activities in the off-season. This spring and summer, the area is being used as an approved off-leash dog run. It’s a fetching place for a game of Frisbee with your best friend. On October 6, a newlywed Parkallen couple will use the hockey rink as a creative place for a private wedding reception, featuring the Latin band La Luna. The outdoor music will wrap-up in the early evening.
Spaces are still available for the following daycamps (held at the Main Hall, Monday–Friday):
July 30–August 3 (half day PM): Cooking up a story (4–6 yrs)
August 7–10 (full day): Sport and swim (9–12 yrs), walk to Scona Pool (2–3 afternoons)
August 13–17 (half day PM): Dance to the beat (6–9 yrs)
August 20–24 (full day): X-treme action (9–12 yrs), includes four field trips
Register by calling 311, or online at the City eReg site at ereg.edmonton.ca. Click on “Courses and Activities,” then “Camps,” and select “Parkallen Community League” from the drop-down location menu.
Camp descriptions and other City daycamp locations can be found online at www.edmonton.ca/daycamps.
New spray deck hours (on automatic timers):
10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday to Friday
until after Labour Day
Special summer issue
This is a special summer issue of the
Parkallen news. All of our regular features
will return in the fall (ads, classifieds,
committee updates).
Change is in the air
We’ll be going to an e-news format with our
next issue. We haven’t worked out all the
details yet, and we will want input from the
community. So look for a survey headed
your way early in the fall.
Classified ads for September
The deadline for classified advertising in the
September issue is August 15.
Have a safe and happy summer.
Need space for an event?
The Parkallen Community League has
lovely space in a park setting at very
affordable rates. Contact us: [email protected]
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SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE JULY, 2012 PARKALLEN NEWS
Over 140 people from 10 neighbourhoods
attended the 109 Street Corridor Area
Redevelopment Plan (ARP) open house at the
Parkallen Community League (PCL) on June 13.
The meeting offered residents an opportunity to
discuss and provide feedback to the City of
Edmonton about the proposed plan to redevelop
109 Street from 61 Avenue north to
Saskatchewan Drive and Walterdale Hill.
City Planner Doug Kostashuk was impressed
with the attendance. “Wow,” he said. “Given the
previous experience with open houses for this
corridor, I never expected that we’d have such a
turnout.” Kostashuk noted that the rezoning
initiative in 2010 only drew half as many people.
Because this is a very important planning
document, and because it will guide development
and zoning bylaws for the future of the 109 Street
corridor east of our neighbourhood, we would
appreciate feedback from residents of the
Parkallen community.
Jan Hardstaff, PCL’s housing and development
representative, has compiled a list of concerns
raised at the open house that may impact
Parkallen residents. They are as follows:
1. A 2010 bylaw allows any restaurant in
Edmonton to be transformed into a pub, bar,
or nightclub without applying for a
redevelopment permit.
2. There is no comprehensive streetscape plan
for 109 Street; the City has placed
responsibility for and cost of implementing
streetscaping on developers “as
redevelopment occurs.”
3. Guidelines for development (and
redevelopment) of commercial nodes along
the corridor need to be clear.
4. There needs to be compatibility and a
sensitive transition between any commercial
or medium-density redevelopment along 109
Street and adjacent neighbours.
Highlights of the 109 Street ARP Open House
and their possible impact on our community
5. The transportation department is looking at
reconfiguring the intersection at 61 Avenue and
109 Street back to a north-south, 90° intersection,
if McDonald’s were to move and there was a
desire to reduce traffic flow on the corridor.
6. The Navigation Canada site (fenced off in the
southeast corner of the neighbourhood off 109A
Street) is being decommissioned with the closing
of the City Centre Municipal airport and will likely
be rezoned RF1.
7. We have recently received a rezoning (RF1
[single detached residential] to CB1 [low-intensity
business]) and lane closure application
notification regarding the Husky site’s desire to
expand its footprint by 33%.
8. There is no clear plan for alley closures off 109
Street.
9. There do not appear to be guidelines regarding
parking for commercial properties or medium-
density residential buildings.
10. With the opening of the LRT, there has been a
reduction of transit service on 109 Street.
11. The existing bike corridor on 109 Street is
dangerous and incompatible with buses.
The Parkallen Community League executive
plans to respond in writing with our feedback—
both support and concerns—regarding the 109
Street ARP. If you have any comments you would
like to add, please send them to Jan c/o
[email protected] before July 18.
If we, as a community, want to have input into this
document, now is the time. The city planners hope
to complete their draft for final review by July 18,
so that it can be tabled at City Council as early as
September.
To learn more, or to see documents related to 109
Street ARP—including a planning consultant’s report
prepared by the Garneau Community League, which
addresses many of the above concerns in more
detail—visit our website: www.parkallen.ca.
4
SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE JULY, 2012 PARKALLEN NEWS
$5 / person
$15 / family Under 5 years old?
Free!
Saturday, September 1, 2012 (Labour Day weekend)
70 Avenue keyhole crescent (between 111 Street and 112 Street)
Some things we need:
Portable fire pits and wood
Craft supplies (paper, glue, stickers, sparkles, chalk, and face
paint)
Outdoor Christmas lights and extension cords
VOLUNTEERS:
(one hour of your time—call Jan Hardstaff at (780) 436-7488)
Greet your neighbours and sell community memberships
Pick up supplies or BBQ (truck required)
Supervise a craft or the jumpy castle
Help with face painting, balloons, or clowning (teenagers
welcome)
Set up and tear down tents, tables, chairs, and lights
Help with the BBQ, or make coffee and iced tea
For more information, call Jan or Brad at (780) 436-7488
or contact us by email: [email protected]
5:00–8:00 Music (featuring Parkallen talent)
Arts and crafts
Kids’ crafts, games, face painting
Jumpy castle
6:00–8:00 BBQ / potluck
8:00–11:00 Street dance
All money raised goes toward the costs of the event.
Any extra funds will be donated to Youth
Empowerment and Support Services (YESS)
Please bring:
Lawn chairs, blankets, plates, and cutlery
Your own beverage (coffee, iced tea provided)
Something to BBQ, salad (odd addresses)
Dessert (even addresses)
Dancing shoes!! (all addresses)
Dress for rain or shine!
5
SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE JULY, 2012 PARKALLEN NEWS
Everything’s comin’ up gorgeous in our community gardens
Have you seen the circular planter in
Ellingson Park? It looks great again this
year!
Green Circle students and alumni did an initial round of planting during their 40th anniversary party on May 27, with plants donated by Rona Home and Garden (104 Street and 42 Avenue). The remaining space was filled with plants donated by the Muttart Conservatory. Special thanks to Allison, Erin, Cameron, and Cameron for help with the second round of planting. Please feel free to pull a weed or two if you wander by!
The Parkallen Community Garden is
Thriving!
You may have noticed that the Parkallen Community Garden (111 Street and 65 Avenue, along the sunny south side of the hockey rink) is starting to take shape. This spring, more than 100 kids from Parkallen School and the neighbourhood planted vegetables in the new soil. The Parkallen Sprouts constructed and planted a pizza garden, a five-senses garden, a bugs and butterflies spiral garden, and a native spiral garden. The Green Circle Preschool planted a pumpkin patch. The Parkallen Kindergarten and Opportunity students planted a pickle patch. And the grade ones planted a Three Sisters garden, which is a traditional Native American planting of corn, beans, and squash.
The Parkallen Community Garden welcomes people of all ages. Junior gardeners can register at www.parkallensprouts.org to receive invites to work bees and workshops especially for kids. Take a walk down the mulched pathways any time. Visitors are always welcome. Munchers, luggers, pluckers, pullers and
turners wanted!
We’ve had incredible momentum this Spring. It’s not too late to get involved. The Parkallen Diggers are actively recruiting new members! We need master gardeners and newbies; compost turners and watering can luggers; a fruit tree tender and some shrub lovers. We need people to turn on a sprinkler when during a heat wave and people to tip-toe down the edible perennial border looking for ripe strawberries. We want hammer swingers, pea munchers, spinach pluckers and turnip pullers. Whatever your age, expertise, and commitment level, you are invited to participate in making this unique green space thrive. E-mail [email protected] help us grow. Follow our blog at: www.parkallendiggers.org
6
SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE JULY, 2012 PARKALLEN NEWS
Many Parkallen residents will recall LocalMotion, a unique eco-mobility initiative that encouraged residents to explore ways of reducing their car dependency and adopt more sustainable ways of travelling: walking, cycling, carpooling, or using public transportation. With all that we’ve learned and heard about from the community at the first event, we’re excited to announce that LocalMotion 2 is coming to Parkallen this fall, and we’re kicking things off at the block party on September 1. We’ve got plenty of activities to keep you moving, including the Try-It Library, where you can test out a bunch of different types of bikes, scooters, and more. And while you’re at it, take the 1-Day-A-Week pledge to maintain your sustainable transportation lifestyle. Parkallen residents are invited to talk to the LocalMotion team, learn more about this community project,
Join the PCL Executive!
The Parkallen Community League Executive is
looking for volunteers for the following
positions:
Groundskeeper
Hall Maintenance
Membership
Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator
Social Media Coordinator
Sustainability Coordinator
Transportation
If you’re interested, contact
[email protected] to volunteer for any of
these positions, or to suggest a new one.
Meet new people. Learn new skills. Share your talents. Make a difference in your community.
Sports van
Get your game face on and prepare for our city-wide tournaments with drop-in street hockey and basketball! Other sports will also be available. During the month of July, the van brings out street hockey equipment. At the end of July, we host a major street hockey tournament. During the month of August, the van brings out basketball equipment for 3-on-3 games, 21, and bump. We also bring out a giant inflatable basketball. At the end of August, we host a huge basketball tournament. Wednesdays, July 14,18 and Aug 1,15: 3:00 – 5:00 Thursday July 19: 12:30 – 2:30
www.edmonton.ca/youth e-mail: [email protected] facebook: www.facebook.com/EdmontonYP
7
SPECIAL SUMMER ISSUE JULY, 2012 PARKALLEN NEWS
Membership Update
If you purchased a swim/skate membership this past year, please remember to use your Scona Pool swims (www.sconapool.org). Passes are valid until August 31, 2012.
Until August 28, you can swim for free at the City's outdoor pools during the following times: Mill Creek, every day from 7–9 p.m.; Queen Elizabeth, Borden Park, Oliver, and Fred Broadstock, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5–7 p.m. Remember to bring your community league membership card.
Membership fees have changed as of the 2012 annual general meeting. All memberships are now $35 per household and include all benefits, like hall discounts, swim passes to Scona Pool, outdoor swimming, skating, and more!
A special discounted rate of $10 is now in effect for seniors (65+) and students (with a valid student card); these memberships include all benefits.
Memberships are now available for 2012/2013. These will be valid from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. As you know, memberships are required for some hockey and soccer programs (for hockey, a membership is required in the summer months). This year’s membership drive will take place during the last two weeks of September; memberships will also be available at the Parkallen Block Party on Saturday, September 1 (see page 4 for details) Please consider buying your membership now. Our dedicated canvasser volunteers spend a minimum of two hours each canvassing their routes, and coordinators spend additional hours checking packages, et cetera. Purchasing your membership in advance takes a significant load off of these wonderful volunteers’ shoulders. If you are interested in purchasing a membership now, email [email protected] with the following information: Address: Phone number: Name of adult #1: Name of adult #2: Name(s) and age(s) of children: Are you interested in volunteering? Are you interested in donating? Are you a senior or student? Would you like to receive your newsletter or other information by email?
From here, we will send you an address to which you can forward payment. Your membership items will be dropped off in your mailbox . . . easy! Thank you again for your continued support of your community league.
Got photos?
PARKALLEN NEWS
THE LAST PAGE
SUMMER 2012
When our newsletter goes online we’ll
have more room for photos. So send us
your favourites. We can’t promise to use
them all, but we’ll try our best. Some
things to remember:
.jpeg, .jpg and .png files are best. We
also need permission from the people in
the pictures before we post them to the
internet. Pictures of Parkallen activities
only, please.
Go ahead. Hit us with your best shots.
Send your photos to: [email protected]
President: Alex Clifford Vice-President: Sam Guffey Casino: Christie Roy Irving
Civics: Donna White Community Garden Coordinator: Robert Kirchner
Groundskeeper: VACANT Hall Coordinator: Marlene Wurfel
Hall Maintenance: VACANT Housing and Development: Jan Hardstaff
Membership: VACANT Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator: VACANT
Newsletter: Michael Hingston/Anne Pratt Park Redevelopment Committee: Nora Begoray
Programs and Social: Leanne Kohn Rink Manager: Sal Blair
Secretary: Allison Chevrette Soccer: Meghan Dunnigan
Social Media Coordinator: VACANT South Campus Neighbourhood Coalition: Lawrie Seligman
Donna White Sustainability Coordinator: VACANT
Transportation: VACANT Treasurer: Brandon Golby
Website: Marc Pearce
Your Parkallen Community League Executive:
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
