Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park Master Plan Implementation

The Buena Vista / Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park Master Plan was approved by City Council on April 29, 2014. The plan serves the both parks for the next ten years and strives to increase people's opportunities to experience and enjoy the parks while preserving and enhancing the ecological systems in place. The plan expands opportunities to view and touch the water, introduces additional amenities, enhances existing facilities such as picnic sites, increases barrier-free design through the parks, identifies preservation areas and implements measures to protect and stabilize shoreline areas along the North Saskatchewan River. The master plan is being implemented in phases and will be completed by 2018.

Project Timeline

Project Overview

A total of $8.3 million has been approved by City Council to begin implementation of the master plan. Funded elements include:

• Park entrance improvements including new park signage and landscaping.
• Development of a roundabout for improved access to the parks and Edmonton Valley Zoo as part of the Buena Vista Road rehabilitation project.
• Improvements to wayfinding and park signage.
• Improved parking and access in both parks.
• Creation of viewpoints along the riverside trail in Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.
• Riverside path improvements in both parks.
• Improved washroom facilities in Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.
• Picnic site rehabilitation in Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, including upgrading picnic sites for better accessibility, upgrading existing group site to include accessible picnic site, and upgrade parking for accessible picnic site.
• Renewal of two natural playgrounds in Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.

Specific projects approved for development within Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park include:

1. Viewpoints
Small-scale viewpoints will be added at strategic locations along the riverside trail in the park.

2. Picnic Site Upgrades
The nine bookable picnic sites within the park will be upgraded to include picnic shelters, concrete bases, new picnic tables and barbeque pits.

The first come, first serve picnic sites will be upgraded with new landscaping, picnic tables and barbeque pits.

3. Trail Realignment / Resurfacing
The main gravel pathway that follows the river will be graded to remove low spots and a new gravel surface will be applied. In locations where the trail is being impacted by bank erosion, the trail will be redirected a safe distance away from the eroding bank.

4. Washroom Replacement
The serviced washroom facility is nearing the end of its life span and will be replaced. The new washroom will be comparable in size to the existing facility, however will be able to operate year-round.

5. Playground Replacement
The existing playground equipment will be removed and replaced with natural playgrounds. These new playgrounds will feature natural materials such as logs and boulders which children can climb / jump / swing / play on.

6. Public Amenity Nodes
Public amenity nodes are planned near the washroom facility and the boat launch. These nodes will include a bench, waste receptacles, bicycle parking, and a park information kiosk.

For More Information

Program & Project Development