Wild Rose Ramblers (WRR)L An Edmonton walking club, by Pat Wishart
The Wild Rose Ramblers (WRR) group was started in 1988 by Pat Wishart and Jean Horne, who were volunteers at the John Janzen Nature Centre. It is an active walking group for adults wishing to explore the Edmonton River Valley and Ravine System in a fun an
The beautiful North Saskatchewan River Valley and Ravine System identify our home city, Edmonton.
Do you want to take a holiday without the hassle of a long drive? Do you need to take a break from the stress? That’s what the Wild Rose Ramblers do every Tuesday morning spring and fall. We leave the daily routine and city traffic and head for Edmonton’s River Valley to explore the many trails throughout its valley and ravines. Where else can you enjoy the sight of flowing river and streams bordered by the shade and colours of a huge variety of native trees and shrubs? Where else can you see birds, mammals and butterflies that live in their native habitat? In 1907 G. Todd, a landscape architect recognized the beautiful situation of our city and recommended saving the slopes because of their interesting woods. He also advised saving open spaces for the enjoyment of future generations. How fortunate that past councils and administrators recognized the treasure of such topography and protected the valley and ravines from development.
When Pat Wishart and Jean Horne, who were volunteers at the John Janzen Nature Centre, revived the thought about a walking group for adults, Jean thought birds, Pat thought plants and mammals and everyone else thought exercise. Now it’s a combination of all three plus a warm feeling of fellowship as we hike in the river valley and nearby natural areas.
The first year of WRR, in 1988, eight ladies joined us and were enthused to find a group to walk with, because they were a little nervous walking alone. Even though we provided safety in numbers we probably frightened a few in the group because the bridges on the Whitemud Creek were often washed out and we had to cross on stepping stones or logs. The present bridges were built, with care for the environment, in the early 1990s. On a trip to Oldman Creek, (in northeast Edmonton), this same group of ladies had to side step down a steep path. Mary Magee grabbed a tree to slow her descent; the tree fell over and crashed down the path, barely missing three other walkers. (Mary was okay) Our adventures are never dull and our membership has grown from eight to as many as 50. People come and go, everyone is welcome. We are always glad to see new walkers and returnees. They come from all over the city, some from Sherwood Park, and two veteran walkers from as far away as Onoway. Elvira Leibovitz has been with us since 1988 and inspires us as she picks up garbage and bottles and cans. Most of our members, who have time, look forward to having “coffee” afterwards. One of our original members, Elsie McNeil came with us rain or shine and even came the same week she broke her wrist. We could always count on her to suggest a trip to Chickakoo Lake so we could have lunch after at the Multicultural Centre in Stony Plain.
The honking of returning geese and the “cheer-up, cheerily” sound of the robin alert us to the start of the spring season of Wild Rose Ramblers. When we meet at the John Janzen Nature Centre in April we take note of the first flowers in Edmonton: the catkins on the
poplars and willows. Then we look for the flame red flower of the beaked hazelnut which is so tiny that most people miss it. Once you spot it you will find hundreds more in the river valley. By late summer that tiny red flower will have grown into an edible nut that tree squirrels love.
Spring can be such an unpredictable time of year for migrating birds. April of 2002 was the coldest on record and there was a huge die-off of songbirds in southern Alberta. The poor birds never made it to Edmonton. Last year, in 2003, the tree swallows were in trouble because of early May snow storms. There was no insect food available and the count of starved, frozen tree swallows in the Edmonton area was among the hundreds. We are always happy to see the safe arrival of early birds and marvel at their survival skills. A visit to Hawrelak Park and a walk around the lake and to the river gives you a close look at Canada geese, mallards, goldeneyes, and widgeons. There are often fierce battles over territories and in late spring we enjoy watching the goslings and ducklings.
One of our favourite walks, which we take every season, starts at the Muttart Conservatory. After our usual warm-up exercises, led by Donna Enger, we head to the Cloverdale foot bridge to look for the female goose that nests on a support under the bridge. Will she be there or won’t she? Will she have survived the winter and the long flight back to her home city? She is clever to choose that nesting site. When her goslings hatch (about the middle of May) they jump off the bridge support, landing in water which is much easier than landing on solid ground. We have been checking on her and her mate since 1995. It’s a strange sight to see 40 or so hikers on their hands and knees, peering through cracks in the bridge! The new rose garden (completed in 203) must be admired in Louise McKinney Park and then we walk east to The Brickyard in Cloverdale. We were worried that the new housing development would scare away the swallows and song sparrows. Fortunately there is a walking path, and a fair width of natural habitat to the river. The bank swallows did return last May and we heard and saw the song sparrows. They must have been surprised to see the changes. We like to stroll through Con Boland’s garden and then continue walking by the river to look for ducks in nest boxes. When you cross Dawson Bridge you may see an eagle or two. If not, they may be hanging out further downstream close to Goldbar or Rundle Parks. Walking back on the east side of the river takes you through some lovely woods with great views of the river and returns you to Muttart. Again, we have the feeling of being on a holiday.
You know spring has truly arrived when Mieke Alexander, Doug Prevey, Marguerite Kerscher and Dorothy Keeler wear shorts. A few men join us from time to time but I’m sure they feel outnumbered by the women.
Walking in the Whitemud Nature Reserve is a treat, in both the southern and northern sections. It is quite wild and we have been fortunate to see squirrels, coyotes, beavers and deer and a tall “stick in the water” that turned out to be a Great Blue Heron. On one walk one of the ladies shushed us and pointed, and there, just off the path, was a fawn lying hidden in the grass. We didn’t stop to stare or move closer in case we gave its location away to a wily coyote. On the way back from our hike it was gone. Its mom had probably led it away. What a thrill to see that in an urban park!
Whitemud Creek is also home to spawning suckers. Look for them about the end of April. It is a sight to rival B.C.s spawning salmon but on a much smaller scale. I hope.