kinistinâw Park is a key element of the City of Edmonton’s urban renewal plan. Located in the Quarters district, an underused area of approximately 40 hectares on the east side of downtown Edmonton, the park is an important piece in the revitalization of a neighbourhood that is expected to be transformed into a vibrant, diverse, inclusive community of upwards of 20,000 people over the next 20 years.

In Cree, kinistinâw means ‘We Three’, and the design of the park reflects the coming together of three perspectives of the site: historic Chinatown and Chinese immigration to Edmonton, traditional indigenous use of the land, and the modern settlement of the City. The name inspired the design of its bespoke and striking red steel canopy, which represents a thread stitching together the three narratives.

The design accounts for the complex urban context of the park, incorporating a variety of surface treatments and furnishings complimentary to adjacent streets and spaces, and coordination of existing and new utilities. The design synchronizes a large sunken lawn area, for both active and passive activities; an enforced structural slab that creates access through the site; elevated rubber play mounds; and an overhead canopy with custom mounting into the ground to bear strong wind loads.

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