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The City of Edmonton is restoring Jan Reimer Park. Construction started in 2025.
Planting of trees and shrubs, along with naturalization seeding is delayed due to record rain events in 2026 and is now scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2027. The 2027 season will focus on completing the remaining landscape planting and establishing the site.
Previously known as Oleskiw River Valley Park, Jan Reimer Park is a 193-acre park located in the west end, south of the Fort Edmonton Footbridge and adjacent to the Edmonton Country Club. In its current form, the park includes a formal trail and informal trails, as well as various natural vegetation areas. There is currently no public vehicle entry into the park, which limits its development.
The Terwillegar Park Footbridge and West End Trails projects have created a shared pathway through Jan Reimer Park. This trail provides park users access to and through the park.
Public engagement took place in 2016 and 2017 to develop a Master Plan for the park. Funding was not available for delivery of that plan, however, in the 2023-2026 Capital Budget, funding was identified to implement the restoration component of the Master Plan.
The Master Plan identified opportunities for what is now Jan Reimer Park to create a lasting legacy unique to the surrounding neighbourhoods, while considering the park’s natural and cultural identity. The Master Plan reflects the needs of today, while enhancing and preserving the ecological integrity of the park as part of Edmonton’s river valley park system for generations to come.
Jan Reimer was the first female mayor of Edmonton. Born in Edmonton in 1952, Reimer won her first election as Alderman (the title Councillors used to hold) in 1980. She was re-elected in 1983 and 1986 (at that time, Alderman terms were three years), before winning the office of Mayor in 1988.
During her time in office, Reimer advocated for changing the title of Alderman to Councillor and championed changes to Edmonton’s waste management system. She championed initiatives to preserve the North Saskatchewan River Valley, improve its water quality and extend the river valley trail system.
Oleskiw River Valley Park was renamed to Jan Reimer Park in 2021.
2025: Construction begins with Historical Resources field work and site fencing
2024: Concept design of Component 3 of the Master Plan
2019: Completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Site Location Study
2018: Environmental Impact Assessment and Site Location Study
Public engagement
2017: Public engagement
2016: Public engagement
The contractor has mobilized the site and began activities including site fencing, weed control and soil preparation. Some site work has been delayed due to the extensive amount of rain in June and July. Planting of trees and shrubs, along with naturalization seeding, is scheduled to begin in fall 2026 once weeds are effectively managed. The 2027 season will focus on completing the remaining landscape planting and establishing the site.
An Indigenous ceremony was held in June 2026 to celebrate the beginning of the planting project.
The project remains on budget and is currently scheduled for completion by the end of 2029.
Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026. In the spring, the work includes soil inversion and cultivation, mechanical weed pulling. Crews will start planting native plants to restore the meadows to their original riparian forest in the fall. Impacts to park users will be minimal and all trails in the area are expected to remain open during the work. The public is asked to adhere to construction signs and flaggers to ensure safe movement through the park.
Construction began in October 2025 with Historical Resources field work and installation of temporary fencing to define project work areas. Weed control, soil preparation and planting of new trees and shrubs will start in the spring of 2026 and continue through to 2028. Impacts to park users will be minimal and all trails in the area are expected to remain open during the work.
A What We Heard Report is now available. The project team has used information gathered during public engagement to prepare a preferred Concept Plan.
Construction will begin in 2025 with weed control and soil preparation. Planting of new trees and shrubs will start in 2026 and continue through to 2028. Impacts to park users will be minimal and all trails in the area are expected to remain open during the work.
Public engagement for the Oleskiw River Valley Park Master Plan took place over 4 phases:
Date: July 9, 2018
Opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the preferred concept.
Activities included: public engagement session, surveys and community member meetings.
Display Boards and Activities (19 MB)
What You Said Report
What We Heard Report (15 MB)
Date: November 7, 2017
Refining the park vision, principles and identity, as well as getting feedback on the 2 distinct concepts for the park.
Activities included: public engagement session, online mapping tool, intercept surveys and community member meetings.
Display Boards and Activities
What You Said Report
What We Heard Report (11 MB)
Date: June 27, 2017
The creation of vision, principles, and identity as well as a selection of programs and activities for the park.
Activities included: public engagement session, online mapping tool, intercept surveys and community member meetings.
Display Boards and Activities (14 MB)
What You Said Report
What We Heard Report
Date: September 14, 2016
A detailed inventory, site analysis and a greater understanding of how the public uses the park.
Activities included: A public engagement session, online mapping tool, intercept surveys and community member meetings.
Display Boards and Activities
What You Said Report
What We Heard Report
| Title | Project Manager, Neighbourhoods and Open Spaces Delivery |
|---|---|
| bill.bunker@edmonton.ca |