Designs for Downtown Edmonton’s new Warehouse Park released for public feedback


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Edmontonians are getting a first look at what the long-awaited downtown Warehouse Park may look like as the city released designs for public feedback on Monday.

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Currently a sea of ​​parking lots north of Jasper Avenue between 106 Street and 108 Street, the city hopes to turn this largely vacant space into a 1.47-hectare “urban oasis,” bigger than two football fields, in the middle of downtown. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and the park is set to open late 2025.

Two potential park options are the “organic” or “formal” designs, both of which include large open spaces, trees, and an accessible washroom pavilion. The formal design includes straighter pathways and evenly-spaced trees. In contrast, the organic option has winding paths of varying sizes with trees placed more sporadically and small hilly areas.

Suzanne Young, director of open spaces planning and design for the city, said they want to know what the public thinks of the two options, and of other ideas around play areas, landscape design, and gathering and seating spaces.

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“We are excited to bring the vision of this park, an urban oasis, to life,” she said Monday. “I encourage all Edmontonians to take part in telling us what you think. What does a park paradise in our downtown look like to you?”

A draft design concept for Warehouse Park in downtown Edmonton.  City of Edmonton, screenshot.
A draft design concept for Warehouse Park in downtown Edmonton. City of Edmonton, screenshot.

Pop-up events are running Friday and Saturday, and there’s an online public event on May 10. The public survey is open until May 22. Details can be found at edmonton.ca/WarehousePark.

The idea of ​​a Downtown park dates back to 2010 with the hope the new greenspace would attract more residential development and increase foot traffic to businesses in the city centre. The city began purchasing — and in some cases expropriating — the lands in 2017, costing around $36 million, according to Young. The budget for building and designing the park, and upgrades to 106 Street, is another $42 million with funds from the Downtown community revitalization levy.

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Pat Hanson, principal with gh3*, the Toronto firm leading the project and its architecture, sees the potential for Warehouse Park to be “transformative” and a “signature park” that can act as a “green lung” to the area, and for the entire city.

Yannick Roberge, senior landscape architect with Montreal firm Claude Cormier + Associates and the lead landscape architect on the project, said Monday his goal is to create a public space that is meaningful, timeless, engaging, fun and surprising. He compared the potential for this park to New York City’s Central Park, although at a smaller scale.

“(Central Park) had a big influence on the development of the city around it, became an icon of urban recreation in this city, as well as an icon of democracy — open for everyone… We still recognize the city today by this park, so that would be great to have this kind of park too, for Edmonton.”

Edmontonians who take the city's survey on designs for Warehouse Park are presented with options for a paved or “activated” entrance.  City of Edmonton, screenshot.
Edmontonians who take the city’s survey on designs for Warehouse Park are presented with options for a paved or “activated” entrance. City of Edmonton, screenshot.

Either a large flower bed or water fountain, a paved entrance with picnic tables or more green space, abstract or realistic art, and structured or more informally placed play areas are some options those who participate in engagement can choose from.

Other options include picnic and social gathering areas, a dedicated pit stop for on-leash dogs, fitness areas, social and games areas, a half-court basketball area, and small hills for children’s sledding.

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Edmontonians who take the city's survey on designs for Warehouse Park are presented with options for different types of play areas.  City of Edmonton, screenshot.
Edmontonians who take the city’s survey on designs for Warehouse Park are presented with options for different types of play areas. City of Edmonton, screenshot.



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