Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS)

The Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS) will envision a new future for parks, plazas, parking lots, sidewalks, alleys and streets. A series of design ideas have been drafted that explore possible improvements.

The Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy will imagine a new future for parks, plazas, sidewalks, streets and alleys within Old Strathcona.

Within the project boundary, there are 2 strategy areas to address the unique needs and objectives of each area, while still working together to create a cohesive direction for Old Strathcona.

The project area boundary map shows the existing parks in the overall area and provides context for the improvements proposed in the design ideas.

Old Strathcona Strategy Areas Map

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Using the feedback collected in Phase 1 of the project, as well as a technical analysis and policy review, the City has drafted design ideas that explore improvements for each strategy area. The design ideas are intended to be conceptual examples featuring possibilities. Detailed design and the exact locations of elements will be determined as part of future work.

Design Ideas for Strategy Area 1: Gateway Boulevard and Publicly-Owned Lands (6.85 MB)
Design Ideas for Strategy Area 2: Whyte Avenue and Alleyways

Strategy Area 1: Gateway Boulevard and Publicly-Owned Lands

Strategy Area 1 focuses on the publicly-owned lands east and west of Gateway Boulevard between 104 Street, Whyte Avenue, 102 Street, and Saskatchewan Drive. The City of Edmonton is exploring how to improve connectivity for residents, add to the existing community and pocket parks, enhance spaces for festivals and everyday use, and how to accommodate development like affordable housing.

There are three design ideas proposed for review. Each design idea would add to the total amount of open space in the area.

The new open space would be classified as a mix of community parks, greenways and plazas (based on the City’s Open Space Classification System ). Features would include trees and other vegetation, places for shade (in summer) or warmth (in winter), washrooms and access to drinking water.

People would be able to walk or bike on pathways and have places to rest, play and gather. Two of the design ideas propose to incorporate residential buildings (that would include affordable housing) between Gateway Boulevard and 102 Street.

All three design ideas propose a residential building on an existing parking lot on 85 Avenue east of Light Horse Park.

Strategy Area 2: Whyte Avenue and Alleyways

Strategy Area 2 focuses on Whyte Avenue from 109 Street in the west to 99 Street in the east. The City of Edmonton is exploring how to make Whyte Avenue better for pedestrians and adding bus-based mass transit.

The City Plan identifies Whyte Avenue as a mass transit corridor to connect Bonnie Doon to the University of Alberta (and on to West Edmonton Mall). To make transit faster and more reliable, dedicated transit lanes are being planned.

Faster and more reliable transit would give people more travel choices. It would support businesses in the area and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It could also reduce noise due to a reduced number of vehicles along Whyte Avenue.

The overall design idea proposes to create a much wider sidewalk than exists today. It would remove on-street parking and use that space to widen the sidewalks. The wider sidewalks would provide:

More space for people to walk or wheel along Whyte Avenue

More space for businesses to add signs, seating or patios next to their buildings

A flex space that could be used for signposts, street lights, trees/vegetation and benches.

In some locations, the flex space could be designated as drop-off/pick-up or accessible parking

Near some intersections, the flex space would shrink to enable space for a turning lane

Prioritizing alleyways for future renewal and activation is another objective of Strategy Area 2.

What This Project is About

Old Strathcona is a unique and vibrant area in Edmonton. It is a cultural hub, tourist destination, historical asset, business district, and an important transportation network in addition to being home to thousands of people.

As the City of Edmonton implements The City Plan, Strathcona and the surrounding area are a priority growth area with two primary corridors: Whyte Avenue and Gateway Boulevard/Calgary Trail.

This means that this area is expected to attract more residents as Edmonton grows to a population of 1.25 million. So how should our public spaces (parks, parking lots, plazas, alleys, and streets) adapt as a result?

The Public Realm Strategy will make public space improvements a priority through a series of short, medium and long-term recommendations.

The strategy will add to the vibrant and diverse opportunities for people to live, work and play within Old Strathcona, surrounding neighbourhoods and through connections to the river valley.

Phase 1 Engagement and What We Heard

In Phase 1 (August 2022), we heard from residents, businesses and Edmontonians about the issues, opportunities, and priorities people feel are important to address as they relate to the public realm. The Phase 1 What We Heard Report (7.91 MB) summarizes the recurring themes and key insights heard.

Timeline

The Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy is currently in phase 1 of 3 phases. It is anticipated to be completed by fall 2023.

Summer 2022: Phase 1 - Background Analysis and Opportunities public engagement

Winter 2023: Phase 2 - Priorities and Draft Recommendations public engagement

Summer 2023: Phase 3 - Draft Public Realm Strategy review

Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy (OSPRS)

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Strategy Area 1: Gateway Boulevard and Publicly-Owned Lands

Strategy Area 2: Whyte Avenue and Alleyways

Project Details

What This Project is About

Phase 1 Engagement and What We Heard

Timeline

Old Strathcona Parking Study

Related Plans and Projects

Project Documents

For More Information

Old Strathcona Public Realm Project Team