What was once a sprawling parking lot in the heart of downtown Edmonton has been transformed into the expansive O-day’min Park — named after the Anishinaabe word for strawberry, a symbol for community and deep connection.
Designed by CCxA — the architecture and design firm founded by the late contemporary landscape architect Claude Cormier — and the architecture firm gh3*, the 1.81-hectare site reimagines a once-overlooked space as a multifunctional area that blends recreation, design and community life.
At the centre of O-day’min Park is a lawn that anchors the site both physically and socially. Designed to be used year-round, the lawn becomes a tobogganing hill in winter and an open gathering space for picnics and events during warmer months. Encircling this central area is a northern light–inspired installation, a key design feature that incorporates illuminated elements and suspended swinging benches, with animal-shaped sculptures positioned above.
“There’s some centrality that is missing right now in Edmonton and the northern light installation brings it all together,” says Yannick Roberge, Senior Landscape Architect and Partner at CCxA. “You can see the city as a whole from here and it’s fantastic.”
The light and movement of the installation directly contrast the surrounding concrete skyline. It is inevitable that the city will continue to build around the space, which is exactly what the designers want. The goal of the park is to become a part of downtown life and a staple of the city, something the designers emphasized by making the space functional and accessible.
“We made sure that what we were proposing was reflecting community needs and that the recreational area accommodates different activities,” Roberge says. “As seen in the outdoor fitness zone — which also includes a basketball court — that can easily transform into a skating rink or accommodate small concerts when needed.”
The park showcases a nature-inspired design, not just with its northern-light installation but also within its playground. It features wildlife-themed equipment, including a deer-shaped slide, that reflects the project’s goal of bringing natural elements into an urban setting.
“We encourage people to go see it through all the seasons,” Roberge shared that they have incorporated a planting strategy in place that will blossom over time. “We are seeing our project evolve and grow.” The park is supposed to reflect the Edmonton flora and fauna — “where the prairie meets the boreal forest” — especially once the trees, already planted, start to grow.
The hope is that the area will not only encourage more outdoor engagement in the downtown area, but will be a catalyst for change, revitalizing the core of our city, one season at a time.
O-day’min Park
Downtown | 10150 107 St NW, Edmonton
