The initial concept of creating an integrated park along the river valley goes back nearly 20 years. The River Valley Alliance came into existence in 1996 as a group of volunteers representing five Capital Region municipalities. They shared a vision of transforming an 88 km stretch of river valley into a world-class metropolitan river front integrated park.

Other municipalities joined and The River Valley Alliance was formally incorporated in 2003. Its founding shareholders include the seven municipalities holding lands in the Capital Region North Saskatchewan River Valley - the Town of Devon, Parkland County, Leduc County, City of Edmonton, Strathcona County, Sturgeon County and City of Fort Saskatchewan. The RVA partners share a common goal- to protect, preserve and enhance the Capital Region's river valley park system for year-round accessibility, and enjoyment of its citizens and visitors. Each of the seven municipal shareholders appoints councillors and private individuals to serve on The RVA Board of Directors