Improved community space delivered following Jack Long Park redevelopment

Jack Long Park (922 9 Ave. S.E.), the green space directly west of the Alexandra Centre in Inglewood, reopened today following a redevelopment to improve the community park space. The updated park now offers a new recreational space for families and youth including a natural play area, picnic tables and a large family style harvest table and chairs, among other amenities.

Additional park features include paved areas that will serve as flexible spaces for small concerts/theatre events, food truck servicing, market kiosks, or other arts/cultural uses. Also located within the park are a rain garden and sculptural bike racks that the community voted on and added input to help finalize their design.

“I’m thrilled about the enhancements at Jack Long Park,” said Ward 9 Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra. “Great parks contribute to healthy communities and a high quality of life. Having access to this beautiful park will give Calgarians living and working in Inglewood another space that creates a sense of belonging and community.”

Construction to redevelop Jack Long Park began in October 2018 and was briefly suspended in the summer of 2019 with the discovery of historic artifacts associated with both a pre-contact First Nations occupation and historic items from Calgary’s early days. An archeological assessment of the site was completed in the fall of 2019, and construction resumed in spring 2020.

“Municipal parks are cherished places that connect us to nature, our heritage and one another,” said Calgary Parks Director Kyle Ripley. “The City of Calgary remains committed to maintaining, protecting and enhancing our more than 8,500 hectares of parkland and natural areas so that they can continue to be enjoyed by Calgarians from all walks of life.”

Jack Long was a nationally respected architect, planner and community activist who profoundly impacted the nature of Calgary communities. Long believed in true participation planning; he fought for the right of every community to be given the opportunity to have meaningful involvement in the future of their community. In that spirit, the concept for the site redevelopment was created with extensive public engagement.

In another fitting commemoration, Jack Long’s daughter, Margot Long, is the Landscape Architect who designed the upgrades to this park. Through her efforts on this project, she is able to continue his legacy of community building.