Former Edmonton mayor Jan Reimer is being recognized for her service to the community with a park named in her honour. The park will be part of existing river valley parkland close to the Oleskiw neighbourhood located near the Terwillegar Park footbridge.
The park’s name was proposed to the Naming Committee to recognize former Mayor Reimer’s many achievements in her service to the community, particularly her work to preserve the River Valley.
“A lifelong Edmontonian, during her public service career she dedicated herself to advancing important civic initiatives,” said Erin McDonald, Chair of the Naming Committee. “Through the lens of history, it is clear that Jan Reimer had a significant impact on Edmonton. For her contributions, the Edmonton Naming Committee is proud to support this naming initiative.”
Reimer left municipal politics in 1995 and has been involved in a number of local and provincial issues, most notably for her work on reducing family violence. As the Executive Director of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, Reimer speaks regularly about curbing family violence and lobbies for more support for abused women and children.
“An honour like this is long overdue. Jan’s entire career has been built around giving voice and support to folks in our community who’ve often been overlooked or sidelined. From her work at City Hall to the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, she always puts people first,” said YWCA Edmonton CEO Katherine O’Neill. “Jan has also never been afraid to go first, whether it was when she was elected Edmonton’s first — and still only – female mayor or when she championed environmental policies long before it became mainstream. Jan’s bravery has inspired many.”
Jan Reimer was born in Edmonton in 1952. She won her first election as Alderman for the former Ward one in 1980. She was reelected again in 1983 and 1986 (Alderman terms at that time were three years) and won the office of Mayor in 1988 replacing Laurence Decore. Reimer advocated for changing the title of Alderman to Councillor and championed improvements to the City’s waste management system including recyclables and eco stations. She worked on initiatives to improve the water quality of the North Saskatchewan River and in preserving the river valley and extending the trail system. She helped establish the Edmonton Arts Council and the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
Reimer was recognized as an Edmontonian of the Century in 2004 and has received the YWCA Women of Distinction Award and the Governor General’s Award.
