O-day’min Park (formerly Warehouse Park)

[Out of Towner]

Generally I feel the park is very nice and I feel a lot of effort has been put into it, but that is not to say it is perfect or it must or will remain exactly as is forever.

So unless a law has been passed in Edmonton banning any new fountains in parks ever, nothing to say something can not be added sometime in the future.

The original concept of a downtown park was a good one but somewhere along the line it got derailed and the focus shifted from being a park and into an interactive playground. Features that make O-day'min more tranquil could theoretically be added but they were already rejected and the impetus needed to add them is absent.

 

[Kosy123]

What great timing council had with the downtown CRL extension, considering it includes money to renew the downtown LRT entrances. Fingers crossed they do something to tie Corona with the park!

We're also getting a new entrance to Corona from the Parks too, at least hopefully.

 

[cloney]

106st becoming much nicer/useful once rebuilt and developments are added will help a lot.

And the 107st stubs from jasper and 102ave being finished next year will help too.

Once all the lots around it develop it’ll feel really natural, but yeah, currently there’s a weird sense of perimeter.

Do you know if there is a plan to redo the alley between the parks tower and this park in 2026 too? As well as the alley along the south side of the park? Having these roads turn more pedestrianized would go along way to have the park more integrated with its surroundings

 

[cloney]

That ship has sailed. A water fountain in a real park would have been nice but there isn't one being planned and who knows if there ever will be. Large spruce trees that offered shade in summer and could be dressed up with lights in the festive season would have been nice. Real park benches like the ones on the 100 Ave promenade would have been nice too. But nope, trees that lose their foliage and contribute to a windswept prairie landscape is what was decided on. And who needs park benches with back rests when you can hunch over to warm your hands at the fire pits. Bravo!

you clearly have not been to the park if you think only deciduous trees were planted in the park. There's an abundance of pine and spruce trees. And you're implying that deciduous trees cant have Christmas lights put on them? As well, there is no shortage of wooden benches with backrests all around the park too. I'd love to know where you're getting your info from. Going off google maps that still has the area as gravel parking lots?

 

[ededed]

I have never seen you say ANYTHING positive, on ANY thread in this forum.

re: Out_of_towner; feeling angry can be addictive because it triggers a release of chemicals like adrenaline and dopamine, creating a temporary high or rush that the brain can crave. This cycle can lead to seeking out situations that provoke anger as a way to achieve that feeling.
It's a common issue for internet forums to deal with excess negativity from some commentators.

 

[Greenspace]

Do you know if there is a plan to redo the alley between the parks tower and this park in 2026 too? As well as the alley along the south side of the park? Having these roads turn more pedestrianized would go along way to have the park more integrated with its surroundings

I believe the alleys are part of the project as well, which includes 106 and 107 Street streetscaping from Jasper to 102 Avenue.

https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/Warehouse-Park-Preliminary-Design-Report.pdf?cb=1763402039

 

[Greenspace]

Very busy Sunday for the last day of grand opening programming. Had to be several hundred people in the park. Playground continues to be a hit with kids, as are the swings.

 

[davcocom]

Very busy Sunday for the last day of grand opening programming. Had to be several hundred people in the park. Playground continues to be a hit with kids, as are the swings.

View attachment 696279

Hopefully the city will take note and realize that investing in an actual playground pays off compared to those rubber mounds that nobody uses.

 

[thommyjo]

Hopefully the city will take note and realize that investing in an actual playground pays off compared to those rubber mounds that nobody uses.

100%

Had my first semi-not great interaction today. Not brutal. But some 16-22 year old ish teens were smoking and drinking inside the tree log slide climber at the playground. Thankfully they responded ok when I called them out and asked them to not be using drugs in a kids playground with my kids around and clearly trying to play. Told them to be smarter and they apologized, but seemed pissy.

I did fear for those logs when I saw them that this might be an issue. Very hidden and easy for people to sleep, smoke, vandalize, pee, etc within.

Park security better stay on top of. These were just loser punks. But the meth heads is a deal breaker for families.

 

[Glenco]

100%

Had my first semi-not great interaction today. Not brutal. But some 16-22 year old ish teens were smoking and drinking inside the tree log slide climber at the playground. Thankfully they responded ok when I called them out and asked them to not be using drugs in a kids playground with my kids around and clearly trying to play. Told them to be smarter and they apologized, but seemed pissy.

I did fear for those logs when I saw them that this might be an issue. Very hidden and easy for people to sleep, smoke, vandalize, pee, etc within.

Park security better stay on top of. These were just loser punks. But the meth heads is a deal breaker for families.

I would not be so polite I would have ripped a side off them.

 

[thommyjo]

I would not be so polite I would have ripped a side off them.

Yeah, I mean, couldn’t see them great while they were inside and have two littles with me to protect. Best to not escalate by coming in too hot. Thankfully they listened and left.

 

[Greenspace]

There isn't security per se in the park that we know of. There is an attendant for the washrooms. Parks Operations may also have a presence in the future. If there's actual drug use or people in the playground that shouldn't be there, best to call the police. Trying to confirm what kind of patrols the park will get but users need to also be vigilant. Thanks for asking them to leave.

The playground in False Creek in Vancouver has giant 12' fence around it and a massive sign that warns adults not accompanied by minors to stay out of the area. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

 

[Greenspace]

^Two attendants.

 

[Greenspace]

I have an update about security. There are two attendants as mentioned. One attendant will routinely walk around the park to observe any issues. They won't intervene but they can report to the City or EPS as needed.

PCL is also proactively watching things in the park, as they have a vested interest as they are maintaining it for the next year during their warranty period.

There is discussions with Parks Operations and Community Standards about safety and security in the future. I've heard these talks are going well and everyone is very aware of the safety concerns the public has, as they are getting a lot of questions as well.

EPS is also patrolling the park, but I intend to get a bit more information about what that looks like formally, as I've heard the Downtown Beats are changing from patrolling specific areas to a more data driven approach. The league wants to ensure that the community priorities (ie. this park) are not lost in this transition.

 

[degrandprix]

There are some cameras as well, I wonder who is monitoring them?