Enjoying Edmonton: The sights of Rio Park
- One of the great views that awaits you at at Rio Park. Photograph by Steven Wagers.
By Steven Wagers
RIO PARK- Nestled near the river just south of Whitemud Drive is one Edmonton’s better areas for a nature walk.
Rio Park provides Edmontonians with an excellent array of trails through the forests between Patricia Drive and Wolf Willow.
Although the trails themselves are very nice, the higher temperatures have caused a lot of snow to melt leaving massive puddles in certain spots. In those areas, only the agile and swift-footed are able to pass with dry shoes.
The reward for those who do continue is a fantastic area of both forest and city. Walk past towering trees and through the beautiful neighbourhoods surrounding Rio Park as spring rolls in.
- The trails of Rio Park are open to bikers as well. Photograph by Steven Wagers.
The main trails are smoothly paved and give bikers and runners a great place to travel.
The trails are up-and-down for the most part, but the climbs are gradual making it a pleasant but not overly strenuous trip.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about these trails is the view from the top of the staircase located near the end of 158 Street.
To get there you must brave the puddles and muck past the school, but from there you can see the North Saskatchewan River through the trees. This view will only get greener and more impressive as the days wear on.
The great views and the contrasts between wilderness and city-life are what give Rio Park its charm.