A new era of play is coming to St. Albert as the city gets ready to officially open the redesigned Lodgepole Playground on Tuesday, Aug. 19, in Lacombe Lake Park. Families are invited to celebrate from 5 to 7 p.m., with free ice pops, family activities, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
What began as a straightforward equipment replacement quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. Originally slated for a routine upgrade in 2023 under the city’s Repair, Maintain, Replace (RMR) program, the project took a turn toward community-driven innovation when the Borodawka family, local residents and park users, approached the City with a bigger vision: a playground that could be enjoyed by children of all abilities.
Their idea sparked a partnership with Variety – the Children’s Charity of Alberta, and what followed was a deeply collaborative and community-led effort. The family, alongside Variety, helped raise over $155,000 in donations to support accessible upgrades. That funding, paired with the City’s $305,000 capital investment, allowed the project to transform from a basic replacement into a full-scale inclusive redevelopment.
“The community, the Borodawka family, and Variety Children’s Charity were all involved in the design,” said Benjamin Jonah, Parks Planning Specialist. “It really came from the community.”
Residents were invited to contribute through an online survey and an in-person design workshop hosted by the City. Feedback helped shape everything from the layout and surfacing to the types of equipment chosen. One standout feature is the in-ground merry-go-round, Lodgepole is the first park in St. Albert to include one.
Other accessible features include a rubberized play surface, ramped access to elevated slides, a rocker swing that accommodates all children, and sensory panels that support a wide range of developmental needs.
The final design is a thoughtful blend of movement, creativity, and inclusion. A large recognition rock at the playground entrance now tells the story of how the space came to be a symbol of what’s possible when the community comes together.
Construction wrapped up late in 2024, but the official opening was postponed to allow for more inclusive planning and later, due to weather. Still, that delay hasn’t kept families away. Since its soft opening, Lodgepole has already become a beloved part of the neighbourhood, drawing families from across the city.
“We’ve had lots of members of the community enjoying the playground, and it's always fantastic to see,” said Jonah. “It’s a space that truly reflects who we are and now we get to celebrate that together.”
The playground also aligns with St. Albert’s broader shift toward accessible infrastructure. In July 2024, City Council approved a new Inclusive and Accessible Playground Strategy, which will guide how future playgrounds are designed and built. The city currently budgets approximately $360,000 annually for playground replacement, but builds like Lodgepole, with full accessibility, can cost closer to $550,000. Despite the increased cost, the investment reflects a growing priority: making sure play is for everyone.
Alongside balloon artists and frozen treats, the grand opening marks more than just the start of a new playground, it’s a celebration of a city embracing equity, creativity, and community-led change.
