Thomson Family Park

A redevelopment to a historical park.

CANA undertook the re-development of Thomson Park for the City of Calgary. The park is an urban community park in the Calgary beltline, in the community of West Connaught. The existing park included a park, green space and historic bowling lawn, which has a 100-year+ history. To enhance the park, CANA provided a new curved pathway throughout, a series of fountains, custom lighting, a park pavilion structure, playground, hard and soft landscaping and custom site furnishings. Landscaping was low-impact for reduced maintenance and upkeep requirements.

CANA integrated a man-made mount on the west of the site to incorporate a built-in slide for the play park. The pavilion structure adjacent to the slide features a cantilevered structure with a rooftop viewing deck. Adjacent to the pavilion is an interactive art element that pays homage to the history of the Calgary Lawn Bowling Club that utilized the park for many years.

A concrete plaza around the pavilion and historic lawn bowl enhances public circulation. There is also concrete and timber seatwalls for gatherings, custom light fins along the curved pathway, timber deck and wood features throughout the park and a lineal fountain. The heritage aspect of the park was maintained through construction.