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Beaver Hills House Park & Michael Phair Park Renewal | City of Edmonton

Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park are being renewed.
www.edmonton.ca www.edmonton.ca

Review the Preliminary Design​


When we completed engagement in August 2022, you told us the following considerations were the most important to you when renewing Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park:
  • Safety and security
  • Year-round use and activation
The Project Team has used these considerations, as well as City Policies and Programs and technical requirements, to develop the designs for both parks.

Preliminary Design​

  1. Jasper Avenue Plaza (entrance feature, cafe seating, Aboriginal Walk of Honour on low wall and focal point)
  2. Reshaped planting beds (trees and artwork maintained where possible, retaining walls and benches are replaced)
  3. Heart of the Park (water feature is removed, ground surface is raised, centre area for large events, amphitheatre-style seating in sod)
  4. Activated back corner with bouldering wall
  5. New planting bed to maintain existing large trees
  6. Children’s play feature (beaver dam theme)
  7. Renewed park connection (existing wall is partially removed, south building is fully removed and new washroom building is added)
  8. Michael Phair Plaza (busker stage and string lighting, cafe seating and food truck parking, playful seating and new trees)




BHHP-MPP-Rendered-Plan-800px.jpg



he renewed park design provides a central gathering space or “heart” of the park surrounded with amphitheatre seating in grass. Accessible pathways with new paving, flexible seating, new lighting and trees as well as a washroom building will be provided. Playful elements such as a children’s natural play structure and a bouldering wall will provide interactive elements within the park. Near Jasper Avenue, an open area will allow flexible space for events and will re-integrate the existing Aboriginal Walk of Honour.

BHHP_Perspective_800px.jpg


The park design includes a busking stage with string lighting, designated space for food truck parking, playful seating and games area as well as new trees.

MPP-Perspective-800px.jpg


Wall Removal​


Based on Phase 1 engagement and stakeholder feedback, the Project Team examined the feasibility of removing the existing large wall between Beaver Hills House and Michael Phair Parks. The City has allocated a portion of the project budget to partially remove the existing large wall. This will open up the space between the two parks to allow more light and views and will help the two parks feel more connected. It will also improve safety near the lane because of improved sight lines for both cars and pedestrians.

The existing wall is home to a sculptural mural entitled “Amiskwaciw Waskayhkan Ihtawin.” The Project Team is working with the original artist to incorporate ideas from the mural into the park design.
 
Reference ID:Job No 499823933-002
Description:Exterior Alterations to the Site
Location:10440 - JASPER AVENUE NW
Plan 7823267 Blk 4 Lot 130A
10124 - 104 STREET NW
Plan 7823267 Blk 4 Lot 192A
Applicant:O2
Status:Intake Review
Create Date:2024-02-02T15:03:28Z
Neighbourhood:DOWNTOWN
 
To start with, it would be lovely if they could just water the grass enough. I recall it was re-sodded a while ago, no doubt at some expense, and most of the grass dried up and died in about three weeks.
 
^ I could be wrong but I thought there was a major rebuild in the 1990s. Beaver Hills Park used to have a number of hills, especially fronting 105 St and Jasper Ave. There was a lot of shady activity happening within the park because these hills, which made the park quite attractive and gave it a small mountain park feel, blocked sightlines from the 105/Jasper streets/sidewalks. There was quite a bit of concern about public safety so they removed those hills and flattened out the park to what we see today.
 
JNO1 said:
^ I could be wrong but I thought there was a major rebuild in the 1990s. Beaver Hills Park used to have a number of hills, especially fronting 105 St and Jasper Ave. There was a lot of shady activity happening within the park because these hills, which made the park quite attractive and gave it a small mountain park feel, blocked sightlines from the 105/Jasper streets/sidewalks. There was quite a bit of concern about public safety so they removed those hills and flattened out the park to what we see today.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I too recall a previous attempt...
 
Yes, it was nice before actually more park like inside, but problematic because of the blocked sight lines. The current layout is more open which is some ways is better.

I feel it does get more used now, whereas before people were afraid to go into the park because it was a bit hidden inside.

In some ways this seems to me to be one of those 'we can't have nice things' situations. The area is problematic and attracts a sketchy crowd. I'm not sure redesigning will fix the fundamental issue.
 
The hills were flattened and the plaza added. I guess that is 'renewal', or just a 'refresh'. City has different terminology.
 
Renewal sounds grander, so perhaps it appeals more to the politicians and their communications people.

IMO refresh might better describe what is needed, regardless the same issues and problems continue and I doubt what is planned will resolve them.
 
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