West Edmonton community takes parks back
- St. Anne Park is one of the “problem parks” Canora Park Watch is working to rebuild by planning family-friendly activities designed to bring the community together in a safe environment. Photograph by Pamela Di Pinto
By Pamela Dipinto
EDMONTON – Test your foot at snowshoeing, exercise that “green thumb,” hunt down some Easter eggs and share a laugh or two at a mini-carnival. And all at your neighbourhood park.
These are just a few of the things Canora residents have to look forward to as Canora Park Watch kicks off another year full of family-friendly activities.
“It means that more people in the community become involved,” said Deckla Lindgren, Canora Park Watch coordinator.
Canora Park Watch started in 2007 as an initiative to make the parks in the area more safe and enjoyable for the community. The program specifically targets the walkway along 149 street and St. Anne Park on 153 street and 102 avenue. Before the program, these two parks were associated with problems like:
- Drug deals
- Drunken disturbances
- Prostitution
- Homelessness
St. Anne Park even developed the nickname “Dead Man’s Park” following a murder in the area.
Many community members began to avoid the parks out of fear and paranoia, while others took a different approach: they fought back. “The only way we were going to get control back of the park is to take it back,” said Lindgren.
From there, Canora Park Watch started planning activities in the parks that would attract families and other community members, and discourage mischief in the area.
The group also watches over the parks and reports any suspicious activity to the police. “I think it’s made a difference,” said Lindgren. “I really do.”
To get involved or to offer an idea for a new event you would like to see Canora Park Watch plan, contact Deckla Lindgren at . And, check out our Community Calendar to find out when this year’s activities are taking place.