Photo of Queen Elizabeth Park.

The City has developed a master plan that will enhance Queen Elizabeth Park's role as a city-wide destination park.

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The Queen Elizabeth Park Master Plan was approved by City Council in 2013. It will guide the phased development of the park.

Improvements in the upper park include the ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞ Indigenous Art Park, upgraded or new lookouts along Saskatchewan Drive, a new shade shelter and picnic tables and development of a new accessible trail into the park from Saskatchewan Drive.

Proposed improvements in the lower park will include an integrated bike skills park, toboggan hill, improved picnic and play areas and a new washroom building. A new pedestrian overpass is planned to connect the upper and lower parks.

Timeline

1. Accessible Trail
Operate: Summer 2017
Construction: Summer 2015 - Summer 2017

2. to 5. Upper Park improvements include:
ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞(Indigenous art park), Shade Shelter, Parking Lot and Picnic Area, Lookouts and Park Entries, and Upper Park Trail Improvements

Operate: Fall 2018
Construction: 2017-2018
Design: 2015-2016
Strategy/Concept: Spring 2012 - Summer 2013

Future development (dependent on funding):

6. Integrated bike skills park
7. All-season washroom and gathering space
8. Toboggan hill
9. Pedestrian overpass
10. Local art park, picnic and play areas

Project Overview

Funding was approved by City Council to begin implementing the master plan in 2014.

The first phase of this work included the construction of an accessible, asphalt walking trail from the lookout at 106 Street and Saskatchewan Drive to Queen Elizabeth Park Road.  The new trail was completed and opened to the public in July 2017. 

The second phase of construction will include improved amenities throughout the upper park.  The Indigenous Art Park named ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞, was developed in collaboration with the Edmonton Arts Council. More detailed information on the art park can be found on the Edmonton Arts Council website.

Future improvements in the lower park, presently funded, include a bike skills park, steps down to the river, an all-season washroom building, new trail connections, upgraded picnic and play areas, interpretive elements, a toboggan hill, an overpass over Queen Elizabeth Park Road and additional space for a permanent and transitory public art.

1. Accessible Trail

Accessible Trail

A new accessible asphalt walking trail has been constructed from the lookout at 106 Street on Saskatchewan Drive down to Queen Elizabeth Park Road. Trail construction was completed in July 2017.

2. Indigenous Art Park

Aboriginal Art Park

The Indigenous Art Park was developed in collaboration with the Edmonton Arts Council. The Art Park Curator, Candice Hopkins, provided guidance and direction for the overall park design. Representatives from the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Arts Council, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, Metis Nation of Alberta, Elders and Aboriginal artists and community members form the steering committee, which provides direction on community engagement and helped choose a name for the park -  ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞.

ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) is a Cree word meaning “I am of the Earth”. The art park is situated on ancestral lands of the Indigenous peoples whose descendants entered into Treaty with the British Crown which resulted in the territory opening for settlement. River Lot 11 acknowledges the historic river lot originally home to Métis landowner, Joseph McDonald. The park is located within Queen Elizabeth Park in Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River Valley.

The art park has granular pathways with unmown grasses and wildflowers where possible to create a natural environment. An asphalt trail will provide a wheelchair accessible route.
The artists have been selected and the locations of their art pieces are shown in light green geometric shapes.

The Indigenous Art Park construction was completed in August 2018.

Additional information on the site and the art park can be found on the City's Indigenous Art Park webpage.

3. Shade Shelter, Parking Lot and Picnic Area

Shade Shelter, Parking Lot and Picnic Area

The old granular parking lot is paved for easier access. A new parking lot exit will allow for safer entry back onto Queen Elizabeth Park Road. A raised crosswalk and textured hard surface at the parking lot turnaround will help to create pedestrian-friendly zones in the parking area.

A staging area includes a small shade shelter and picnic area and a commemorative wall will trace the outline of the old pool. Panels will interpret the recreational history of the park and the old Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool.

The Shade Shelter, Parking Lot and Picnic Area construction was completed in August 2018.

4. Lookouts and Park Entries

Lookouts and Park Entries

Saskatchewan Drive winds its way along the top of bank and offers some impressive panoramas of Edmonton’s skyline. Improvements will be made to lookouts above Queen Elizabeth Park near 106th Street, and between 104th and 105th Streets. Improvements will be made to entrances to Queen Elizabeth Park from Saskatchewan Drive to allow for better viewing and clearly marked entrances.

5. Upper Park Trail Improvements

Widening of two existing trails: the trail that runs north of the stairs at 105th Street and the trail that connects to Fort Hill Road. A new trail is planned to join these two trails, just north of the O’Keefe Site.

6. Integrated Bike Skills Park

Integrated Bike Skills Park

This park is proposed to consist of a bike skills area and single track trails. The design of the bike skills park will be done in collaboration with a skills park designer, the biking community and the City. Partnerships will be explored to ensure the park is well-maintained and to foster environmental stewardship through engagement with the mountain biking community.

7. All-season Washroom and Gathering Space

A large, flat, grassed area at the foot of the toboggan hill will be uniquely located to support a variety of small events and public gatherings. This area will be supported by a new year-round amenity building with washrooms, a drinking fountain, seating, a warm-up area and a fire pit.

8. Toboggan Hill

Toboggan Hill

A large mound is proposed in the lower park for tobogganing. The pedestrian overpass will connect to the top of the mound. A fire pit at the bottom of the hill will provide a warm viewing area.

9. Pedestrian Overpass

Pedestrian Overpass

The proposed overpass will connect the upper and lower parks. Pedestrians will be able to take advantage of new vantage points from the overpass to experience the Edmonton skyline.

10. Local Art Park, Picnic and Play Areas

Existing amenities in the lower park will be enhanced. Improvements include replacement of the existing playground with a nature-based play space, new picnic tables and stoves, and new parking areas. This area will also provide a backdrop for a future Local Art Park.