Living Bridge takes root in Edmonton

Dozens of volunteers from around the city braved the grey and wet weather on Sunday to help beautify the 97th Street Bridge.

The decommissioned CN Rail bridge has been turned into a green space, complete with flower beds, berry plants and a vegetable garden.

Organizers are calling the project "The Living Bridge."

The project, inspired by the High Line Park in New York City, is part of a community initiative to transform the bridge and neighbourhood it sits in.

"We're interested in lost spaces, such as this one, and creating something beautiful that means something to the community," said organizer Chelsea Boos.

"[Living bridges become] places for enjoyment and relaxation and for the whole community to come together."

Kristi Gurski lives on Alberta Avenue. She was on hand all weekend working on the living garden, and says she will likely return in the future to help maintain it.

"The community is really coming together to help with revitalization and really making the space positive," she said Sunday.

"I really believe in projects like this that are really grassroots and come from the people that live in the neighbourhood and are trying to make things better."

"This is the best thing that has come to downtown," agreed Steven Wolfe, who lives next to the new garden.

"They're trying to make downtown better. If we can't do it [ourselves], at least we ought to help," he added.