Kiyām Community Park

Thank you to those who participated in this engagement. You can learn more about this project below, or subscribe to Participate Wood Buffalo to stay connected (or get involved) with future engagement projects impacting our region.

• Update November 17, 2020

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  Thank you Fort McMurray, for participating in the Franklin and Main Park public engagement. Your feedback will help prioritize key park features and amenities to create a downtown destination.

  To view the survey results conducted between September 21-October 4^th please visit them here.

• Update November 30, 2020

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  Pick your park design!

  It’s time to choose your preferred preliminary park concept design.

  Which park design do you prefer?

  Have your say with our online poll! The deadline to participate is Dec. 13.

  To view a detailed explanation of the park concept designs, please find a copy under the Videos section. Engagement feedback will be considered to create one finalized park design.

  As part of downtown revitalization, significant public engagement was held between May and September 2019. Reoccurring themes from these engagements supported a new downtown park, in addition to previously approved Council documents, resolutions and the previous Land Planning and Development Committee recommendations.

  Earlier this March, the Wood Buffalo Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee (WBDRAC) proposed the Franklin & Main Park as a result and Council approved the Park Project.

  After further feedback in the fall, priorities for park features and amenities were identified and used to inspire the development of two preliminary park concepts. We are now encouraging residents to choose from these two preliminary designs. Review concept designs below.

• Update April 13, 2021

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  Finalized park design and construction!

  Thank you for contributing all of your feedback and ideas to the design of the Franklin and Main Park Project. Public feedback captured as part of the second phase of engagement that occurred between November 30 - December 13, 2020 was considered in the creation of one finalized park design.

  Park Purpose: The park will address the need for parks and outdoors spaces that contribute to improved health and safety, beautification, address vacant land and spur revitalization activity. It will create a safe park space with unique features that stimulates all senses, tells our community story, and draws people to the area year-round and provide comfortable pedestrian-friendly gathering places in a beautiful setting that attracts the community, encourages investment downtown, and supports surrounding businesses.

  More information will be shared with the community once construction gets underway later in April.

• Council approves naming of Kiyām Community Park

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  Franklin and Main Park gets official name

  The Municipality is committed to preserving, revitalizing, and strengthening Indigenous languages as part of its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. The RMWB is pleased to announce that Council has approved an official name of the park formerly referred to as the Franklin and Main Park in downtown Fort McMurray. The name Kiyām [key-yam] was supported by the Wood Buffalo Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee and recommended by the Community Identification Committee (CIC). The CIC is a Council-appointed Committee that makes recommendations to Council with respect to the naming of public facilities within the region.

  The official name of the park is Kiyām Community Park, a Cree and Michif word meaning “Let it be.” The word is used when you are at peace with yourself and your surroundings, and nothing anyone does or says can or will affect you or no negativity or malice will touch you.

  "I am pleased that the organization continues to advance the Calls to Action set out in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report. Naming this park in a local Indigenous language is an important step forward and something that I hope to see more of as we continue to honour Indigenous heritage in Wood Buffalo,” says Dennis Fraser, Director of Indigenous and Rural Relations for the RMWB.

  The project is currently under construction with completion expected by fall 2021.

  Interested in seeing what the new park will feature?

  The final design is available for viewing above. The park design includes accessible features such as community gathering spaces, a medicine wheel rock garden, micro businesses, an interactive water feature, a full-size basketball court, along with winter season activities such as ice skating and year-round lighting to enhance safety.

  Delivering on strategic priorities

  The Kiyām Community Park is part of downtown revitalization, one of Council’s key priorities in the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan. The park will bring us one step closer to a refreshed and revitalized downtown.

• Next steps for Kiyām Community Park mural as pop-up tour ends

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  Following the completion of a three-week region-wide Pop-Up Photography Tour, the mural to be installed at Kiyām Community Park is one step closer to being created! Lead photographer, Crystal Mercredi captured an overflowing portfolio of images that celebrate the wealth of diversity, meaningful relationships, and the connected communities of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo.

  Residents across 10 communities took part in the fun by having their photo taken during a pop-up session or by sharing their story through an Everyday Life video filmed by Lucas Seaward. The successful tour was the beginning stage of a larger place brand and mural project in partnership with Public Art Wood Buffalo (PAWB) and Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism (FMWBEDT).The next steps for the mural project include gathering a collection of edited photos that highlight key moments during the tour. Artist, Lucas Seaward will then create a dynamic mural design with interactive elements to be installed in summer 2022 on the façade of a building facing the newly renovated community Kiyām Park in downtown Fort McMurray, AB.

  The mural will be interactive via links to online stories of Everyday Life videos. FMWBEDT will continue to develop their place brand campaign including photos and videos captured during the pop-up tour.

  Were you part of the photo or video sessions? Stay tuned to see more about these projects in the coming months by visiting one of the links below!

  Kiyām Community Park Mural Project

  FMWBEDT Place Brand Campaign