A portion of Riverfront Park was closed on Aug. 23 following multiple sightings of a bear. The town asked that barricades be obeyed and to stay away from the area until further notice. Most of the sightings were in Riverfront Park, where the bear was pictured on the stairs near the path as well as swimming in the river near the disk golf course. Fish and Wildlife were contacted. Brendan Cox, from Alberta Fish and Wildlife, said the bear was not the same one from two weeks ago that was spotted in a man's backyard in the West McKay neighbourhood. Cox said there are warning signs in the area and advised anyone using the park to walk in groups, carry bear spray, keep dogs leashed and to make noise. As well, Cox said the green space at the park is a natural corridor for many wildlife animals and that it isn't uncommon for them to make their way through this area. "It will be our hope this bear will move on and continue along the river," Cox said. The bear is not being trapped by Fish and Wildlife at this time.
