Mary Burlie Park is being renewed. Construction is underway.
The goal of the Mary Burlie Park Renewal, in addition to repairing or replacing the existing infrastructure, is to improve safety and accessibility and increase the use of this open space.
Project Update - September 2026
Construction is progressing on the Mary Burlie Park Project. The park path connections to the existing 97 Street sidewalk are complete and new lighting has been installed. Crews are expected to finish the concrete work in the alley connecting to 105 A Street by the end of September.
Once complete, the park will have a public washroom, a new shelter, a half basketball court, a ping pong table, a chiminea (an outdoor firepit with a tall chimney) and new soft landscaping (trees, shrubs, perennials, mulch and sod).
Construction is anticipated to be complete in summer 2026.
About the Project
Mary Burlie Park, located on 97 Street, was established in 1999. The park is named in honour of Mary Burlie. The late Mary Burlie (1935-1996) was an advocate and social worker for Black communities in Edmonton. She was one of Boyle Street Community Services’ first volunteers when it opened in 1971 and continued her work there, earning the nickname “the Black angel of Boyle Street,” until her death in 1996.
The park was initially identified as part of the Boyle Street and McCauley Neighbourhood Renewal project which included improved connections to the alleys and rail corridor, improved park sight lines and tree planting. During the 2023-26 City budget deliberations, additional funding was allocated as part of Chinatown Infrastructure Improvements to allow for a more comprehensive renewal of Mary Burlie Park and it will now proceed as an independent project.
The goal of the renewal, in addition to repairing or replacing the existing infrastructure, is to improve safety and accessibility and increase the use of this open space.
Construction is anticipated to start in 2025 to align with McCauley Neighbourhood Renewal and it is expected the project will be complete in 2026.
‘A Vision of Hope’ Sculpture
Mary Burlie Park has been home to the ‘A Vision of Hope’ sculpture by artist Michele Mitchell. The sculpture was installed in Mary Burlie Park on December 6, 1999 and was commissioned for the 10th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre. Separate from the park renewal project, the Edmonton Arts Council had identified the sculpture needed to be removed for restoration. The sculpture was removed in fall 2023. Once the Edmonton Arts Council has repaired the sculpture, it will assess whether Mary Burlie Park is the best location for it and/or if it should be moved to a new location.
Project Timeline
2025
2024
Project History
Year 2 of construction on the Mary Burlie Park Renewal Project continues. Due to the heavy rainfall this summer, work has shifted to the alley renewal work to allow the park site to dry. Once the park site has dried out, crews will continue park construction and alley construction.
Year 2 of Mary Burlie Park Renewal construction is underway. All existing park infrastructure, including the former shelter and trees, has been removed.
To facilitate concrete pours within the park space, intermittent closures of the east lane of 97 Street will occur throughout the month of April. Motorists are advised to be aware of potential lane reductions in this area.
The Mary Burlie Park Renewal Project aims to improve safety, accessibility, and overall use of the open space, in addition to repairing or replacing existing infrastructure.
Construction began in August 2025, with project completion anticipated in 2026.
Currently, all demolition and removals are complete, contaminated soils have been removed, concrete foundations and piles are in place and underground work — including civil, structural, and electrical infrastructure — is ongoing.
As winter approaches, the site will be secured and visible construction progress will pause as work transitions to off-site facilities.
Work will resume in the spring, at which point the public can expect to see:
- Hard surface installations, including new concrete and asphalt connections throughout the park
- New fencing, site furnishings, waste receptacles, bike racks and signage
- A new washroom facility, chiminea, shelter, half-basketball court,and a ping-pong table
- Soft-surface installations, including trees, shrubs, perennials and sod
Mary Burlie Park Renewal construction is set to begin.
Construction is expected to start in June 2025, and it is expected the project will be complete in 2026.
All existing park infrastructure, including the shelter, is being removed. Once infrastructure is removed, crews will grade the site and install the hard surfaces, including new concrete and asphalt connections to and throughout the park. The new infrastructure will then be added.
Renderings of the final design highlights include a new shelter, basketball court, ping pong table and chiminea (a type of outdoor firepit with a tall chimney on top). A washroom facility is currently pending City Council approval.
All existing trees in the park space will be removed and replaced with new trees.
The City of Edmonton is now ready to share the preferred design for the Mary Burlie Park Renewal project.
The What We Heard report from the last round of public engagement is now available.
Construction on Mary Burlie Park is anticipated to begin in spring 2025.
Phase 2 of public engagement has now closed. The project team will use the feedback to support development of the preferred design for Mary Burlie Park.
The What We Heard report from the last round of engagement is now available. A What We Heard report from this round of engagement will be available in the coming months.
Renewal planning for Mary Burlie Park has begun and the project team is looking to residents for feedback. The team is looking to know how you use Mary Burlie Park now and what improvements you’d like to see in the future.
Community Event
Come join the project team for an exciting community event in the park. This event will provide various opportunities for public engagement, including a sitting circle for open conversation.
Come help us shape the future of Mary Burlie Park!
There are 2 opportunities to join:
Date: Monday, May 13
Time: 4-7pm
Date: Tuesday, May 14
Time: 10am-2pm
Location: Mary Burlie Park, 10465 97 Street NW
The feedback gathered at these events will be used by the project team to create design options. These options will then be shared with the public in the summer of 2024.