In the ‘Village at Griesbach’ in Edmonton, AB.
The Patricia Lake Park was created to honour The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, which has deep routes in western Canada. The Griesbach Bridge is a key component of the park in the Village. This bridge was constructed in 2005 by a civilian contractor in the style of a Bailey bridge.The bridge, itself, is dedicated to the Royal Canadian Engineers who supported the Patricias in every battle in their history, but especially during the Italian Campaign in which the Bailey bridge made a major contribution to the Allied victory. A site across the lake views this bridge and includes a plaque that summarizes the history of the Bailey Bridge as well as a second plaque and a panel that honour the Canadian Military Engineers who built these bridges.
When the Canadian Forces Base at Griesbach Barracks in Edmonton was closed in 2001, Canada Lands Corporation was assigned the responsibility of transforming the area from military to civilian use. The task involved removing the hazardous materials and demolishing buildings that were not salvageable nor useful. Buildings that could be rehabilitated were renovated and retrofitted to provide modern amenities while retaining their unique design. Tonnes of asphalt, gravel and concrete were recycled and reused in the construction of roadbeds. Plans called for an extensive network of parks, trails and four stormwater lakes to provide recreational opportunities for residents.
Canada Lands worked to include historical references into the re-purposed area. The Village at Griesbach features many monuments that are dedicated to and honour the proud military history of the Village, Edmonton, and Canada. Streets and parks have been named after famous local military heroes and battles.
