HIGH LEVEL LINE DAY - PREVIOUS EVENT

Saturday, September 7, 2019
Thank you to everyone that made the inaugural event Possible!

For one afternoon, the underutilized rail corridor that connects Old Strathcona and Downtown was more vibrant with the help of community groups and neighbouring businesses. It was a grassroots attempt at showing people what the corridor could be like if it were an activated, fully-connected linear park.

ACTIVITIES ALONG THE LINE

Thank you to these organizations for stepping up to make the first High Level Line Day a reality.

OLD STRATHCONA FARMERS’ MARKET (railtown park BOOTH AND 10310-83 Ave)

Old Strathcona Farmers Market is making a special trip across the river to give us a taste of treats to be found at the other end of High Level Line. The market will also be open 2 hours longer than usual—until 5pm—for High Level Line Day!

CNIB FOUNDATION EDMONTON + CYCLING WITHOUT AGING (railtown park)

CNIB Foundation Edmonton is proud to be launching the internationally recognized Cycling Without Age program with free rides on their new Trishaw! This new Edmonton chapter is the first of its kind in Alberta specifically designed for seniors who are blind or partially sighted. While the purpose of this program is primarily for seniors who are blind or partially blind, they welcome people of all ages to participate. And they’ll have a photo contest too! #cnibcwayeg

CENTRAL SOCIAL HALL (#100, 10909 JASPER AVE)

With one of their patios (yes, they have two) looking out on High Level Line, Central Social Hall is joining in on the day. Their family-friendly brunch is on til 3pm which includes $25 bottles of prosecco for table-side mimosas. At 3pm, Central’s $4 happy hour starts with $4 food and drink specials.

ALBERTA LEGISLATURE (10800 97 ave)

The Legislative Assembly Office offers Legislature Building tours from noon-5pm (tours every hour, last tour leaves at 4pm). Special Grounds tours will be offered for High Level Line Day at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm (meet at the bottom of the front Legislature stairs). Learn about the grounds then check out the Visitor Centre including the Pehonan Theatre, Agora Interpretive Centre and Alberta Branded store!

YEG MUSIC (ezio faraone park)

YEG Music will be keeping us entertained in Ezio Faraone Park with musical acts busking throughout the afternoon.

• 1:15: Rebecca Lappa’s fusion of folk, rock & pop has her cresting the wave of Canada’s best contemporary singer-songwriters. This Canadian Folk Music Awards & 2019 Edmonton Music Awards winner has toured Canada performing at Edmonton, Calgary & Canmore folk festivals & Ottawa Blues Festival. She’s opened for Crash Test Dummies, Jenn Grant, Digging Roots & Reignwolf.

• 2:15: Marissa K is a vibrant, imaginative singer-songwriter. As a fan of escapism, Marissa strives to transport her listeners through her songs into a unique, colourful world. She focuses her songwriting on storytelling, as her inspiration comes from her background in performing in dance and theatre. Her music evokes the vitality and nostalgia of songwriters such as Vanessa Carlton and Sara Bareilles, but has a distinctive, theatrical writing style that is all her own.

• 3:15: Tamarack (real name Jesse) Cunningham is an Edmontonian singer-songwriter who blends his 15+ years experience playing garage rock, jazz, traditional Metis music and afro-pop music into a sort of indie-prog-folk. You can expect angry, awkward ukulele songs about culture shock, going to the club and not dancing, or Edmonton's redneck identity crisis. His first single, about leaving Alberta for the fictional version of Vancouver that we all create in our minds, is available on Bandcamp.

• 4:15: Kathryn Johnson carries a vintage sound with a modern twist. Audience members frequently refer her voice similar to Lauryn Hill, and Mary J. Blige. Since her upbringing, music and performing have always been an important part of self expression. She aims to help bring people together by telling relevant and relatable stories through song, in hope that we can come to see the world from a variety of perspectives through the power of music.

COMMUNITEA INFUSION (ezio Faraone park)

CommuniTEA Infusion is a mobile tea house that will be serving warm tea and community connections. It’s a wonderful initiative from Skills Society, operated by their volunteer community builders!

PATHS FOR PEOPLE (Ezio faraone park)

Still buzzing from their big Open Streets event that saw Jasper Avenue closed to cars and open for people in August, Paths For People will join us with info about walking and biking in Edmonton, and identifying missing links in pedestrian and cycling paths in the city. Hint, hint: High Level Line is full of them!

“I SEE YOU” INTERACTIVE ART (EZIO FARAONE PARK)

A conceptual and participatory art experience by Françoise Thibault, facilitated by Gaby Pelc which uses glass as a metaphor for the mind filter through which participants look at each other and trace each other's face. The goal of the exercise is for two people (friends or strangers) to share an intimate moment of connection during which they interact through line making, noticing things about each other's face and attempting to capture its essence by literally tracing it.

WALKABLE EDMONTON (EZIO FARAONE PARK)

Walkable Edmonton is a belief that we can live a better life by slowing down, putting one foot in front of the other, and enjoying our beautiful city one step at a time. They will be on hand to share stories (and learn new ones) about the walkable lifestyle that High Level Line could promote.

Guided Bike and Scooter Tour (Start at Ezio Faraone Park at 1:00)

Edmonton Road and Track Club (ERTC) members will be hosting a leisurely ride along High Level Line pointing out history and thinking forward about the opportunities of the space. It will be at a comfortable pace for families, casual cyclists and scooters.

EDMONTON RADIAL RAILWAY SOCIETY (A FEW STOPS ALONG THE LINE)

Edmonton Radial Railway Society will be operating two vintage streetcars, following their regular route, fare, and schedule. It’s always such a fun time to hop on the streetcar and listen to the volunteers share stories of the line’s history. This is the only way to access the tunnel and top of the bridge, so it’s an experience like no other. Reminder: Please be safe around the streetcar tracks on High Level Line Day and stay safely out of the way of streetcars!

EL CORTEZ & HAVE MERCY (8230 Gateway Boulevard)

El Cortez has a creative cocktail for High Level Line Day! The High Level Yellow is Mezcal, Wild Turkey Bourbon, Licor 43 and Amaro Vermouth, stirred and strained over a single cube with burnt orange zest. Have Mercy will have $5 house lager, Jack Daniels and Honey Jack!

high level line society (old strathcona farmers market and railtown park)

High Level Line Society will be there, of course! We’ll have free pins, t-shirts for sale, and will be sharing information about High Level Line.

PLAN YOUR HIGH LEVEL LINE DAY

We encourage everyone to hop on the streetcar in one direction, then walk or scoot back along the route to experience the other activities. While you’re along the line, you can imagine the potential of the space if it were activated all the time, and see how some disconnected spots could be stitched together for an awesome experience. It’s what High Level Line is all about!

SAFETY FIRST!

A friendly reminder for High Level Line Day attendees: stay safe around the streetcar tracks! Please be mindful if crossing the streetcar tracks and while you’re around streetcar stops. There is no special access for pedestrians during this event for the top of the bridge or in the tunnel under 109 Street. If you want to experience those two areas, you’ll have to board the streetcar. Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the river using the regular sidewalks on the High Level Bridge, and will have to go up to the 109 Street intersection at the south end of the bridge.

Though our dream for the future is to have a fully connected line including the top of the bridge, access to the top of the bridge and tunnel is strictly prohibited, except for the streetcar. Part of the purpose of High Level Line Day is to raise awareness of the potential of the space, and think about how the corridor can be better connected to its surroundings.

THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

We are incredibly grateful for the support from community partners. Without their generosity, High Level Line Day wouldn’t be possible!

If you’d also like to help us bring this festival to life, please reach out!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can we go on the top of the High Level Bridge?
No, sorry. There is no special access to the top of the High Level Bridge or the Garneau Tunnel for the event. The only way to experience these two incredible spaces is by boarding the High Level Bridge Streetcar (which we highly recommend).

Is it free?
Yes! High Level Line Day is absolutely free to attend. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun. Regular streetcar rates apply.

Can I bring my kids?
Absolutely! All planned activities are family-friendly and we would love to see the line active with kids. Bring some sidewalk chalk, outdoor games, and picnic supplies! Crossing the High Level Bridge on the sidewalk is especially memorable for kids.

How do I get there?
We encourage you to walk, bike, scoot, or take public transit to High Level Line. The Capital Line LRT connects directly with High Level Line at Grandin Station.

Where should I park?
There is plenty of parking in the areas surrounding High Level Line. Regular parking rates apply. On-street parking can be found around Jasper Avenue, 109 Street, 110 Street, and in the Old Strathcona neighbourhood. There are a few paid parking lots close to the line as well. Note: The parking lot at Canterra Centre (109 St & Jasper Ave, with Save-On-Foods) is for Canterra Centre patrons only.