MISSION
To empower Ritchie residents, Ritchie community league members, and Ritchie neighbourhood visitors to:
Cultivate fulfilling relationships with others in the community.
Collaborate to improve our community.
Know and use their civic and democratic rights.
PURPOSE
We believe connection with neighbours improves our well-being.
Societies are healthier, happier, and more effective when people feel like they are part of a community. Community leagues are one of the few places left in our city where strangers can gather and meet new people with low barriers. We want the experience of meeting people to be a source of joy, inspiration, belonging, and curiosity, rather than anxiety, loneliness, or separation. The RCL lands offer a proximity advantage as well, allowing us to help each other with better ease - whether that be helping deliver groceries, shoveling walks, helping care for a neighbour’s children or pets, or social gatherings.
We believe healthy democratic societies require engaged, informed, and collaborative citizens.
With changes in technology fueling the growing division of people online, the need for people to meet together is more pressing than ever. Community leagues provide the structure and space for residents to come together to engage in dialogue, discussion, and learning. The Ritchie Community League is a non-partisan, democratic hub, which serves as an opportunity for real, face-to-face interaction with members of the community to problem-solve, debate, and advocate for the needs of our community, while also building individual capacity for collaboration and empathy. It also functions as a centralized center for resources related to policy, civic law, and government updates that impact our neighbourhood.
VALUES
These values reflect our commitment to our mission. We strive to align all our actions with the following values:
Community
We encourage relationship-building activities between participants of our Ritchie neighbourhood’s community.
We respect each other's limitations and capacities. We welcome diverse perspectives and look for the positive in each other. We celebrate each other’s contributions.
We are stronger and better when our community includes opportunities for all, regardless of race, national origin, ethnic origin, colour, religion, sexual orientation, sexual identity, age, mental abilities, or physical abilities.
Gather
We don’t take for granted the opportunity of having a space to gather.
We foster and create opportunities for people to gather, encouraging collective exploration of interests, creativity, and learning.
We believe in the importance of togetherness and being in the same place at the same time.
Stewardship
We are intentional with how we use the tools and resources at our disposal.
We care for the planet and our environment.
We care for RCL’s gathering spaces with care and intention.
Democratic Engagement
We create opportunities for our Ritchie community to be updated on changes that impact our neighbours.
We engage in our democratic rights and responsibilities and encourage our community to do the same.
We believe democracy is the best model for governance and citizen engagement helps it thrive.
Healthy Dialogue
We believe communities and democracies thrive best when members engage in healthy conversations with each other.
We are open to growing and learning from each other.
We are respectful in our dialogue. Our words and actions strengthen, inform, educate, or empower, rather than insult, undermine, or oppress.
We have courage to listen with curiosity and compassion to each other’s perspectives, understanding that we may disagree with others.
We have courage to respectfully share our opinions, understanding that others may disagree with us.
Ritchie Community
BACK TO THE BEGINNING...
The land on which we live, work and play is Treaty 6 territory and a traditional meeting ground for many Indigenous groups. Today, it remains home to Cree, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Métis and other Indigenous peoples. The Ritchie Community League acknowledges that we are all beneficiaries of this peace and friendship treaty.
Named after the original owner of the Ritchie Mill and former mayor of the City of Strathcona, our neighbourhood is now home to more than 4,100 people. Over time, the neighbourhood has continued to evolve. We have an eclectic mix of distinct wartime houses, vintage bungalows and contemporary new builds.
As Edmonton has grown, the benefits of centrally located Ritchie have become clear. Ours is a much sought after, mature community that is exceptionally young at heart.
WHERE ON EARTH?
Our community’s boundaries are as follows:
South: north side of 72 Avenue
North: south side of Whyte Avenue
East: Mill Creek Ravine
West: centre of Gateway Boulevard
Edmonton Policy safey Map/Report
Check out was has happened in and around the area with the EPS crime map.
LOCAL ASSETS
Ritchie is an ideally positioned hub of activity with unmistakable flair. Take a peek under the canopy of our tree-lined streets and you’ll find a sense of neighbourhood pride, contagious community energy and some pretty sweet local spots.
Latest News
We’ve tried to capture some of the great things going on in our community in one convenient spot. Check back here often to see fresh info about fun upcoming events, new opportunities, and impressive local achievements.
Parks and Playgrounds
Mill Creek Ravine
A beautiful ravine with paved trails leading north to the river and south as far as 23 Avenue. There is an off-leash dog area throughout, with rough trails winding through it all.
The construction on 76 Avenue has impacted access to the ravine on either side. Please stay safe and pay attention to the barricades!
Ritchie Playground
Spray Deck and Rink/Courts (77 Avenue and 97 Street) - from skating in the winter, pickleball and sand toys in the summer, and beautiful trees all year round, Ritchie Park hall has something for everyone. Located immediately behind Ritchie Hall, the park benefits from free parking and bike racks.
Lilliput Park
A playground and open space for kids to play (97 Street and 74 Avenue). Someone send us a photo so we can add it to the website! Communications@Ritchie-league.com
Schools
Ècole J.H. Picard
Edmonton Catholic School Board has this school on board for Modernization! This is great news for this school that has been part of the community for over 50 years. The school now hosts a day care (Sunflowers Montessori) all the way up to Grade 12 students in one building- all in French immersion.
http://www.jhpicard.ecsd.net/
Ècole Joseph Moreau
This school is run by the Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord and is open to Francophone Junior High students.
http://www.jm.centrenord.ab.ca/
Escuela Mill Creek School
Edmonton Public Schools runs this Spanish Bilingual School that also has a daycare on site (Mill Creeks Finest Child Care), a preschool- Caminitos Playschool and regular school from Kindergarten to Grade 6. This school feeds to McKernan school where kids can continue their Spanish Education and complete it at Strathcona High School.
http://millcreek.epsb.ca/
Hazeldean School
Hazeldean School is part of Edmonton Public Schools and is the designated site for regular programming for people living in Ritchie. We are a small Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6 school with skilled educators, a thriving learning community and a big heart. Bussing may be available for students the Ritchie area.
http://hazeldean.epsb.ca/