Canada’s first dementia inclusive park, The Martin Family Legacy Garden, is expected to open late this fall.
The public park will be accessible to all and has the goal of reducing the stigma associated with dementia by raising awareness of what it means to live with this condition.
The park, located in Southview Park in the community of Dover, was chosen for its accessibility, transit options and proximity to senior residences.
Increasing dementia population
The number of Calgarians impacted by dementia is increasing, reinforcing the need for positive resources and support for those affected, their families and caregivers.
The idea for the park was spearheaded by a former employee of Parks Foundation Calgary who had previously worked for Alzheimer’s Calgary.
Lindsay Paul, director of philanthropy and partnerships at Parks Foundation Calgary, says the park was an opportunity waiting to happen.
“When they started talking about potential projects, they thought, okay, why is there no park dedicated for dementia inclusivity at all? Why doesn’t this exist, and why couldn’t it exist?” said Paul.
A park designed for dementia
The focus on dementia means the park will contain additional wayfinding and colour-coded pathways so people don’t lose their way, wider passages to accommodate strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility aids, making it easy for people to move through the park, as well as increased signage, multiple murals, easy accessibility from the parking lot and seating areas for taking breaks.
“There are a lot of different elements in the park that are really meant to support cognitive function and different abilities,” said Paul. “So it’s a number of elements that are working together in synergy to create a really unique experience for park users.”
Lengthy consulation
Since 2022, Parks Foundation Calgary has consulted with many user groups on the park’s design and usability.
“We were really careful and considerate that we were actually involving people from the community who would be using the park and who this park would really make a significant impact for,” said Paul. “That includes people who are living with dementia, family members, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers in the field, subject-matter experts and community partners.”
Alzheimer Calgary, a local non-profit organization, has been Parks Foundation Calgary’s primary partner on this project.
“They’ve really been our North Star of helping guide our project, understanding what the community needs and what’s possible as well,” said Paul. “They were really the catalyst to get this project moving forward and help us start out with a concept for the park. We’d love to work with them on other projects.”
Executive director of Alzheimer Calgary, Barb Ferguson, is proud to share that the park is dementia-inclusive, not exclusive, meaning it will provide space and opportunity to raise awareness of what it means to live with dementia or to care for someone who is.
Reducing stigma surrounding dementia
The park is meant for everyone to use, which means it’s a benefit to the city, not just one part of the population.
“The park will play a role in reducing stigma due to seeing others in the community, which is incredibly impactful as reducing stigma around dementia is one of the primary goals of the park,” said Ferguson.
Alzheimer Calgary’s current focus is on educating people to better understand that those living with dementia are still whole beings living with a condition. The organization encourages everyone to visit Stillme.ca to learn more.
The Martin Family Legacy Garden hopes to create a sense of belonging for all who join the space, keeping inclusivity and support at the forefront. The hope is that the park will act as an inspiration for other projects by promoting thoughtful design and accessibility.