Beaver Hills House Park & Michael Phair Park Renewal

Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park are being renewed. The second year of construction is underway.

Project update - May 2025

Due to the warmer weather, construction on Year 2 for Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park Renewal began sooner than expected. Construction started again in May 2025 and is expected to wrap up in fall 2025.

During 2025, a number of construction activities will take place:

Site grading and paving stone installation throughout both park sites.
Installation of the new playground in Beaver Hills House Park.
Installation of a new pet relief area in Beaver Hills House Park.
Completion of the amphitheatre in the centre of Beaver Hills House Park.
Completion of the new washroom building in Beaver Hills House Park.
New artwork in Beaver Hills House Park.
Installation of the new bouldering wall in the northeast corner of Beaver Hills House Park.
Construction of the busking stage in Michael Phair Park.
Completion of the Low Impact Development (soil cells) in the boulevard along 105 Street.
New site furniture, waste receptacles, bike racks and signage throughout both park sites.
Installation of lighting infrastructure throughout both park sites.
Installation of trees, shrubs, perennials, mulch, and sod throughout both park sites.

Please note, the pedestrian walkway along Jasper Avenue will be closed again during construction to allow for the removal of the temporary asphalt and the placement of the new paving stones. The pedestrian walkway along 105 Street will remain closed until late summer 2025. The east lane of 105 Street will close for a short period of time in June. Please follow all signage and crew direction in this active construction space.

Wall Removal

Based on Phase 1 engagement and stakeholder feedback, the Project Team examined the feasibility of removing the existing large wall between Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park. The City has allocated a portion of the project budget to partially remove the existing large wall. This will open up the space between the two parks to allow more light and views and will help the two parks feel more connected. It will also improve safety near the lane, because of improved sight lines for both cars and pedestrians.

The existing wall is home to a sculptural mural entitled “Amiskwaciw Waskayhkan Ihtawin.” The Project Team has been working with the original artist to incorporate the birds from this mural into the new park design.

Tree Removal

As the Project Team has developed designs for both parks, and in consultation with the City's forestry experts, we have determined some trees will need to be removed that are in poor condition or cannot be properly accessed for maintenance. Existing, healthy trees will be preserved and we will be planting new trees in locations with good growing conditions that are easily accessible for ongoing maintenance. As part of the design of both parks, we have done our best to ensure the parks have the right balance of trees and landscaping, accessible pathways, and clear sight lines throughout.

About the Project

Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park are two open spaces in Edmonton’s downtown. This project will renew aging infrastructure within the parks and will also improve the overall design and function. 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 these open spaces in our downtown.

The project will make improvements in lighting, sightlines and other park features, as well as upgrade and fix park infrastructure. A new public washroom will also be added.

The City of Edmonton is currently in the design phase for the renovation of the parks. The design will be completed per The City Plan, Capital City Downtown Plan , the Urban Design Framework , the Downtown Public Places Plan and in accordance with Breathe: Edmonton’s Green Network Strategy, which supports a multifunctional green network.

While there will be technical constraints that will limit options for some park elements, through a series of engagement opportunities the City will be gathering input from stakeholders and the public to advise on improvements to the design.

Construction is anticipated to start in 2024. It is expected the parks will be completed in 2025.

Project History

Project Update - November 2024

Construction on the renewed Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park started in July 2024.

A new plaza, renewed planting beds and a children’s play area will be included in the renewed Beaver Hills House Park. Michael Phair Park will include a busking stage with new lighting and room for food trucks. The design includes enhanced connection between the two parks with the removal of the portion of the wall that existed between the two.

During the first construction season, many activities took place:

Construction fencing was erected.
Demolition and removal activities included the removal of the existing water feature, necessary tree removals, the removal of the existing washroom building and the partial removal of the existing retaining wall which used to separate the two park sites.
Many elements are being saved and protected in order to be re-installed in the new park space.
Low Impact Development (soil cells) have started being installed in the boulevard along 105 Street.
Civil servicing updates within 105 Street, Jasper Avenue and throughout the park site have been completed.
New utilities have been stubbed into where the new washroom building will be built.
Site grading has begun.
The new gabion wall to house the updated Aboriginal Walk of Honour has been built.
Piles have been installed to provide structural support to much of the new site infrastructure.

Throughout the winter months, the public will see work slow down, with only work occurring in the footprint of the new washroom building. Users should expect an uptake in construction activity in May 2025. The park is anticipated to re-open to the public in late fall of 2025.

Please note that the pedestrian walkway along Jasper Avenue has been re-opened to the public for the winter months. It will close again in the spring. The pedestrian walkway along 105 Street will remain closed well into summer 2025.

Project Update - June 2024

Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park are set to be renewed, with construction starting in summer 2024. A new plaza, renewed planting beds and a children’s play area will be included in the renewed Beaver Hills House Park. Michael Phair Park will include a busking stage with new lighting and room for food trucks. The design includes enhanced connection between the two parks with a removal of the portion of the wall that currently exists between the two.

The project team, along with the City forestry team, has determined some trees cannot be accessed for proper maintenance or are in poor condition. These trees will be removed in the last week of June. Per City of Edmonton policy, a bird sweep will take place before any tree is removed.

Existing, healthy trees will be preserved and we will plant new trees in locations with good growing conditions that are easily accessible for ongoing maintenance.

Fencing has gone up around the project site. Vehicle access along 105 Street will not be largely affected by construction, except when moving some equipment in and out of the site. Pedestrian access on the east side of 105 Street may be more readily impacted, so pedestrians are encouraged to use the west side of the street.

Project Update - April 2024

Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair park are soon to be renewed. The project team has concluded detailed design and construction-ready documents will go out for tender in early April 2024, in order to get a contractor for spring 2024 construction.

Construction is anticipated to take place over two years, completion is expected in fall 2025.

A What We Heard Report report for the final stage of engagement is now available.

Park Design Updates

When we completed engagement in August 2022, you told us the following considerations were the most important to you when renewing Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park:

Safety and security
Year-round use and activation

The Project Team has used these considerations, as well as City Policies and Programs and technical requirements, to develop the designs for both parks.

Project Update - May 2023

Thank you for engaging with us during the preliminary design engagement for Beaver Hills House Park and Michael Phair Park. Engagement was held from April 26 - May 17 and a What We Heard report will be made available in the coming months.

This was the final stage of engagement for both park renewals. The project team will now review all of the feedback provided, along with technical information and City policies and programs, to develop a final design. We will share that design when it is available. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2024.

Project Update - November 2022

Thank you to everyone who participated in the public engagement opportunity in August 2022. The survey has now closed. A What We Heard Report summarizing the results of that engagement is available.

What We Heard Report

Telephone	311 Outside Edmonton call: 780-442-5311
Online	Contact 311 Online

Telephone

311

Outside Edmonton call: 780-442-5311

Online

Contact 311 Online

Beaver Hills House Park & Michael Phair Park Renewal

Project update - May 2025

Detailed Design