River Crossing, in the West Rossdale area, is at the heart of our city. It is a place that is historically and culturally significant for many people, and where the history is long, layered, and deep. It is a site that has been at the heart of trade, travel, kinship, spirituality, community, and culture for thousands of years.
Developed in 2016/2017, and approved by City Council on July 11, 2017, the Heritage Interpretive Plan is a starting point for sharing the history of River Crossing. The plan guides how heritage and culture will be reflected and communicated throughout the area as it evolves over time. The plan honours our collective history, respects Indigenous heritage and culture, and contributes to the future identity of this special place within the river valley.
What is a Heritage Interpretive Plan?
The Heritage Interpretive Plan explores the history of the River Crossing area and guides how heritage and culture are reflected throughout the area as it evolves over time.
Interpretive plans are the first step in understanding what kinds of stories a place can tell to those who live, work or visit the area. Interpretive planning starts with a question: why is this place important? The answers to this question become the interpretive themes that form the backbone of the interpretive plan. The River Crossing Heritage Interpretive Plan considers how to interpret the heritage themes of the River Crossing area over time, and through landscape, the built environment and programming.
Why should I care about the Heritage Interpretive Plan?
An interpretive plan is a roadmap to direct how a place will be understood and talked about, and it is important that the themes it identifies are co-created by individuals and communities with interests in the area. The Heritage Interpretive Plan reflects the perspectives and values of a wide range of people and their historic and cultural ties to the area. It provides guidance for the direction of interpretation and development in the area.
