Memorial Drive’s newest gathering place open for all Calgarians to enjoy

 

“Memorial Drive is one of Calgary's most cherished corridors in terms of history, location, proximity to the Bow River, and its relationship with communities,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “It is fitting for this corridor to act as a living memorial to the events and people that have shaped our city’s landscape. Poppy Plaza is a reflection of our gratitude to all those that serve our country and provides a place where we can celebrate the freedoms and peace afforded us by their sacrifice.”

 

Located at 1111 Memorial Drive NW, Poppy Plaza is part of the $31.5 million redevelopment plan along Memorial Drive known as the Landscape of Memory. The overall project pays tribute to Calgary’s fallen soldiers and improves public spaces along the corridor. The Plaza commemorates Canada’s efforts during wartime and offers a public gathering space to help connect people with the river’s edge.

 

“Poppy Plaza provides a beautiful place to honour our veterans and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country,” says Ward 7 Alderman Druh Farrell. “The Memorial Drive Landscape of Memory is shaped by a deep respect for our history. It is enriched by unifying our beautiful river, historical trees, and meaningful places to observe individual and collective memory.”

 

The 86,100 square foot Poppy Plaza was constructed using two surfaces. First, a folded wood deck made of low-maintenance balau wood provides both seating for the public and space for native plantings. The second surface consists of a weathering steel wall that navigates the site’s steep grade change and protects the wood deck from winter ice flows.

 

The weathering steel does not need to be treated as it naturally ages and creates the beautiful dark brown colour. “Narratives” or text were water-jet cut into the weathering steel and illuminated from within to portray diverse voices and perspectives relating to honour, hope and sacrifice during war-time as expressed by different facets of our society.

 

Representatives from the military, the veterans association, adjacent communities and pathway user groups were consulted on the design of Poppy Plaza.

 

In 2005, extensive public engagement was undertaken to develop a vision for the Memorial Drive corridor based on themes of remembrance, legacy and history, and what these themes mean to Calgarians. This input drove the resulting vision of new and traditional ideas of memorialisation within the context of the urban setting.

 

The design for Poppy Plaza won the Canadian Architect Award of Merit as well as The City of Calgary Mayor’s Urban Design Award.

 

Funding for the Landscape of Memory project is made possible through the ENMAX Legacy Parks Fund.

 

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