The photos above are all taken in the Larch Park nature preserve which follows the Whitemud Creek from 23 Avenue south to the Mactaggart Nature Sanctuary.

In Hicks on Six of Wednesday Oct 29 edition, I wrote about the truly enlightened policies of the Melcor/Poole development partnership. The developers owned the land right down into the creek valley, right up to most of the western side of the creek.

So often in the past, developers were out to cram as many homes or residential units as possible onto a parcel of land to maximize return. So often, the city’s planners would attempt to impose some land use restrictions, at least to have some land left in its natural state, for what amounts to quality of life for the future residents. And too often, when the developer came before city council for approval, the planners suggestions would be greatly compromised in what were very political judgements by city councillors.

This time around, quite the opposite happened, much to the delight of those who have pushed for years to keep as much natural land as possible in the urban setting.

Melcor and Poole saw the immense wisdom, the long-term benefit, and indeed a profit motive, in keeping as much green space as was economically possible.

The land in the creek valley was left completely undistubed. The developed land, well beyond the minimums recommended by the top of the bank policy as was approved by Edmonton City Council recently, was carefully incorporated into a development plan that did its very best not to impact on the natural lands below.

Charlie Richmond of the Edmonton chapter of the Sierra Club is an ardent naturalist, who also knows his way around all the legislative tools out there to keep land as natural as possible.

He completely applauds Melcor and Poole for their desire to keep the “wild” part of their property as “wild” as possible.

By way of example, an oxbow or small river-like lake sits below the Larch Park development in the Whitemud Creek ravine. Its only source of water input is run-off from the lands above.

Had a road been constructed along the top of the ravine, or a well-built up path with concrete edges, the run-off water would have been funneled along artificial channels to a storm water run-off pipe and hence straight down into the creek, bypassing the Oxbow. “The Oxbow would have dried up,” says Charlie. Instead a nice wide path has been built. Both the developers and the Sierra Club argued for a light shale topping, so water could easily pass through. No, the city in its wisdom, following a policy that recommends all major paths be as multi-use as possible, decreed that asphalt be used (at least the water can cross over or under the asphalt directly down into the ravine valley). Why? So bike riders and skateboard users would have a surface suitable to their needs as well.

What’s most important here, what’s ground-breaking in Edmonton, is the recognition by the developer that “green makes green.”

That by going out of its way to save green space, to make a community as “sustaintable” as possible, a huge premium was added in value to the existing lots.

Buyers were delighted with the idea of having a beautiful natural area only a few steps away. It had intrinsic appeal, to live in a natural, very quiet, neighbourhood where a five minute walk would take you into the most beautiful of natural surroundings to, if you like, refresh their souls.

The result: A complete win/win. Melcor and Poole will make a healthy return on their investment, the residents and the city have a beautiful natural park which, thanks to some very creative restrictions, simply can’t be monkeyed with.

More and more urbanologists say the winner cities of the 21st century will have a huge regard for green, natural spaces wherever possible in the urban setting.

Larch Park represents a transformative turning point. Every development that follows hereafter will HAVE to save and enhance all the possible natural areas possible. Consumers, home owners will demand no less.

I am less worried now than I used to be about every inch of land along the top of the banks in this city – both overlooking the river valley and in the extensive ravine system – being exploited only for the rich. I hope Larch Park becomes a template and I hope the current city council sees it as such.