Successfully reclaiming an incidental roadway into a vibrant park
The site where Flyover Park is today sat empty for nearly two decades. In spring of 2019, the Parks Foundation Calgary (PFC) secured funding to revitalize the forgotten space under an overpass.
Installing pop-up parks in neglected areas is a tactic people practicing tactical urbanism (a citizen-led movement that encourages residents to test ideas to transform forgotten public places) can use to create permanent upgrades. When a group of downtown Calgary residents dared to think outside the box and reclaim an underutilized space, they created a gateway into the community by delivering a vibrant public park—the city’s first tactical intervention to become permanent. It incorporates a hillside playground, Calgary’s tallest roller slide, a ping pong table, shuffleboard, tether ball, and a friendship swing. There is also a bamboo jungle of posts serving as a parkour challenge for older kids and adults, high-impact lighting, murals, and space to host pop-up events such as community movies and events. This space transcends generations encouraging active and passive play and supporting individual and group play.
Built with community collaboration and persistence, the award-winning Flyover Park has taken a forgotten slice of land in an urban area and transformed it into a vital part of Calgary’s urban revitalization.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Client Parks Foundation
- Awards
- City of Calgary Mayor’s Urban Design Awards, Urban Fragment Category, 2022
- ARPA Parks Excellence Award, Alberta Recreation & Parks Association, 2021
Kathryn Glendinning, Senior Associate, Landscape Architecture Manager
Whether we’re improving wildlife habitats, enhancing biodiversity or recreational spaces, our job is about making spaces better.
Eric Schertzer, Urban Designer
Design for people first and the rest will fall into place.
Chris Jennings, Senior Principal, Discipline Leader, Community Development, (Landscape Architecture)
Passion, creativity, and solid design—above all else. That is my goal and what our project teams strive to provide.
Carly Silver, Environmental Director, HSSE
We want to do what’s right for the environment—working as a team, we can find ways to minimize impacts and improve environmental outcomes.
Jennifer Currie, Associate, Site Development & Special Projects Manager
I’m passionate about the building and construction industry, and I enjoy applying my technical skills to see projects come to life.
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