Parking lots to Paradise : Warehouse Park Project in downtown Edmonton to begin construction

Joni Mitchell once said ” they paved paradise to put up a parking lot.” For Edmonton, this could be the reverse case scenario.

A new space for connection and community is coming to downtown as the City of Edmonton begins construction on the Warehouse Park Project.

“As we plan to be a city of two million people, we must be Greener as We Grow. Part of that is ensuring all residents have access to high-quality parks and open spaces,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “This new downtown park will provide a place for downtown residents, students, workers and visitors to gather, rest and recharge in the heart of our city.”

Edmonton’s new downtown community park will feature wide-open lawn space with a hill for tobogganing in the winter, an off-leash dog park, a pavilion with washrooms and community space, a playground and outdoor exercise area. Picnic tables and other site furniture will also be available for use by downtown workers, residents, students and other visitors.

“The park will provide much-needed green space for residents and visitors to enjoy, the tree canopy will provide much-needed shade on hot days and the outdoor space will allow for year-round enjoyment of outdoor activities, including winter activations in our “winter city,” said Cheryl Probert, President of the Downtown Community League. “The pavilion provides space for community members to gather, and the washrooms within will provide respectful access to all who need it.”

The park was designed as a place to socialize, celebrate and relax and it is an important catalyst project aimed at attracting private investment in the downtown core. The intention is to encourage more people to consider choosing downtown Edmonton as a place to live.

“To have a city centre park of this size and quality is going to be an absolute game-changer in the path to making Edmonton’s Downtown a true high-density, complete community,” said Executive Director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association Puneeta McBryan. “As our city grows, our downtown becomes even more important as both an economic driver and as our most dense and connected neighbourhood. This park will serve as a gathering place for tens of thousands of residents, workers, and visitors and a centrepiece for this area of our downtown.”

Construction on the Warehouse Park Project is expected to take two years. The park is anticipated to open to the public by the end of 2025. Warehouse Park is a temporary project name. The Edmonton Naming Committee is working to select the official name.

Construction impacts

As part of the Warehouse Park Project, a portion of 107 Street north of Jasper Avenue and south of 102 Avenue was permanently closed in June 2024 and will be integrated into the park. Access to laneways south and north of the park boundaries will remain open during construction and will be maintained as part of the park design.

Pedestrian, vehicle and active transportation traffic is encouraged to use 106 Street as an alternate route.

Funding

The current capital budget to construct the Warehouse Park Project is $44.8 million. Funding was approved by City Council through the Capital City Downtown Community Revitalization Levy (CRL). The Capital City Downtown CRL allows the City to borrow money for major projects that aim to incentivize new private investment which help to raise property values of existing developments. The growth in taxes is used to pay back borrowed funds. Only taxes from within the dedicated CRL boundary contribute to the project.