In our fourth installment of Chipps’ virtual tour of the River Valley Park system, we turn our sights to the south bank of the North Saskatchewan River near Groat Road. Though comparatively small to the previous parks we’ve explored in this series, Emily Murphy Park is still a lovely place to visit. This quiet park, one of the parks named after each member of the Famous Five, is a popular destination for picnicking families and individuals exploring the River Valley trail system at large. Its 2.25 kilometre trail loop connects with Kinsmen, William Hawrelak, and Victoria Parks and is a great starting point for those who wish to bike, run, or walk the River Valley.
The park’s namesake, Emily Murphy, was a notable suffragist who championed women’s rights in both provincial and federal laws. She, alongside the other members of the Famous Five, each of which have their own parks, initiated the legal battle to have women recognized as persons under the British North American Act. They were successful in their campaign, which made it possible for women to serve in the Senate.
In honour of the work she accomplished for women’s rights and social reform in the country, a statue of Emily Murphy is located near the entrance where visitors can find a large picnic area. There are plenty more of these designated picnic areas as you continue walking into the park on a trail that will lead you to the Groat Bridge. At the river bank, you’ll find a canoe launch for those who wish to travel by water. The trails themselves are relatively even, providing a great pathway for walkers, runners, and bikers of all fitness levels.
It’s also an excellent destination for shutterbugs. Many visitors take photographs along the paved pathway lining the river, but we always point our lenses towards the many trees providing shade throughout the park. For those with an eye for species, you’ll notice that there’s a good mix of deciduous and coniferous trees, with the most popular from each being Elm and Poplar respectively; however, like most of the parks we’ve explored so far, Emily Murphy Park is home to a great variety of species, including Birch, Pine, Mayday, Spruce, Maple, and Ash.
If you’ve recently visited the area, you’ll notice the leaves have started to turn. In place of verdant greens, we now see a splash of vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows as the deciduous trees begin to prepare for the long winter ahead. Though fall signals the end of the growing season, it’s an important time for homeowners, as we can help the trees on our property for the months they spend dormant. This special autumnal attention we give to our property comes with many benefits that extend beyond the trees’ health.
In between raking the fallen leaves from your lawn, take the time to examine your trees. You’ll want to be on the lookout for any branches that look broken, damaged, or diseased. There are some classic signs that will be easy to spot and some others that won’t be. Damaged trunks overridden with fungal growths indicate a decline in that tree’s health. Any branches that had shed their leaves months ago is another sign that something isn’t right. If you’re ever unsure of what your tree is trying to tell you, pick up the phone and schedule a consultation with one of our ISA-Certified Arborists. We’re fluent in the visual cues our species present and are able to create an efficient strategy to correcting any problem.
We suggest having this done now, so you can protect your property. Damaged or dying trees are more susceptible to the winter winds that blow through Edmonton. Broken branches may not stand up to storms or the weight of snow, which can cause them to fall, potentially damaging your property or causing bodily harm.
Our team wants you to see the changing of the season happily and healthfully, so we encourage our readers to book our pruning and removal services. Whether it’s the simple amputation of a loose branch or the complete removal of an entire tree, we can handle any job your property needs this fall. We use the latest low impact rigging techniques in all of our pruning and tree felling to ensure the safest and most efficient process possible.
Proper fall maintenance is a universal need for the trees in our fair city, including those that provide shade in Emily Murphy Park. If you wish to keep your property as safe and beautiful the River Valley, give Chipps Tree Care a call. We’ll offer a free estimate for your tree removal and see what we need to do to prepare you for winter.
