Munro Park upgrades

Munro Park is a community park located at the corner of 18 Avenue and Edmonton Trail N.E. in the Winston Heights Mountview neighbourhood.

Project update - September 2025

The final phase of public engagement is complete.

Construction is anticipated to begin Fall 2025 and end Fall 2026, pending final construction schedule timelines. More detailed information to follow!

The new design

In the final phase of engagement, nearby residents were invited to share feedback on the updated park design. The design keeps many well-loved features, including the walking loop, mature trees, open playfield, and fitness equipment.

It also adds new elements such as:

  • A Nature Kids’ Play Zone
  • Salvaged public art from Olympic Plaza
  • A community plaza with space to gather
  • Green infrastructure like bioretention (rain) gardens
  • A naturalized garden perimeter
  • Many new trees and a new irrigation system
  • A 3-on-3 basketball court
  • Additional seating, bike racks, and a water fountain

The overall concept is Urban Rewilding, which reflects the community’s preference for native gardens and natural spaces.

All improvements are subject to change based on final construction pricing, which may vary due to market conditions. You can view the final park design here: engage.calgary.ca/munropark

Location

Address: 425 18 Ave NE

Hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Project timeline

Construction: Fall 2025 – Fall 2026

*Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines may change due to inclement weather, complexity, supply chain, and/or other unexpected circumstances.

Naturalizing areas in Munro Park

As part of the upgrades, Munro Park will include naturalized areas. Naturalization means turning parts of the park into more natural spaces.

At Munro Park, naturalization is part of Urban Rewilding - a move from manicured lawns to supporting vibrant native ecosystems. This includes endangered prairie Rough Fescue grasslands, pollinator gardens, and native tree groves that bring more wildlife, cleaner air, and stronger connections to nature.

At first, these areas may look less “tidy” than traditional lawns. Native plants can take longer to establish than traditional garden plants.  Over time, they will grow into thriving, beautiful spaces full of life. Please be patient and respect temporary fencing and keep dogs out of new plantings so they can establish.

These areas provide habitat for native plants, insects, birds, and small animals like rabbits and voles. They also make parks healthier and more resilient by reducing the need for mowing, irrigation, pesticides, and fertilizer.

Healthy ecosystems also benefit the whole city. They are better at handling pests and extreme weather, and research shows that parks with high ecological value can even increase nearby property values.

Please respect newly planted areas

Salvaged art from Olympic Plaza is coming to Munro Park

Get ready to stroll through history with a creative twist! The “Centennial Grove” art installation - originally created in 2010 by Garth Balls and Yogi Navagrah of IBI Group - once stood proudly at Olympic Plaza. Now, it’s getting a fresh new life in the west side plaza of Munro Park, where it will welcome visitors from Edmonton Trail.

This refreshed installation celebrates 10 years of Calgary Parks legacy and was inspired by Alberta’s iconic aspen groves. Fittingly, it will be surrounded by newly planted aspens in Munro Park, connecting the art to its natural roots. Even cooler? The poles and grasses will be arranged to echo the historic garden layout that existed here in the 1950s and '60s - a subtle nod to the past, reimagined for today.

Centennial Grove originally stood at Olympic Plaza

And now for a pop of colour and a pinch of mischief...

The beloved Richardson ground squirrel sculptures are making a comeback! Originally designed by landscape architect Kristina Prins for Calgary Parks’ 100th anniversary and once nestled in the Olympic Plaza brick wall, these cheeky little figures have found a new home here in the park.

Native to Calgary’s short grass prairies, Richardson’s ground squirrels are more than just cute faces. Their burrows support entire ecosystems, providing homes for creatures like burrowing owls, salamanders, and bumblebees, and serving as a food source for hawks and other predators.

These playful sculptures are packed with personality - so keep your eyes open. You never know where one might be popping up next!

Richardson's ground squirrels installation

Parking, accessibility and maintenance

Munro Park will be closed for construction for about 12 months, with reopening expected in Fall 2026. Timelines may change due to inclement weather, complexity, supply chain, and/or other unexpected circumstances.

Once park is reopened, it’ll be easy to get there by public transit. A bus stop is located on Edmonton Trail near 17 Ave NE, right along the park’s west side. For route and schedule details, visit Calgary Transit.

The new features, like the small basketball court, community plaza, and play zone, are low-traffic amenities and are not expected to create major parking issues.

After reopening the contractor will maintain the park for a period before City crews take over. Everyone can help by using garbage bins, cleaning up after pets, and reporting any issues to 3-1-1.

History and Background

Munro Park was established in 1948 and has an established history in Calgary. In the early 20th century, Winston Heights-Mountview was home to rural homesteads that were given to World War II veterans. The park sits just one block from Main Street and close to major transit routes, making it an important part of the growing neighbourhood.

Although Munro Park was already well-used, there was room to make it even better - by adding new spaces for play, encouraging local business activity, enhancing biodiversity, and encouraging more “eyes on the park”. Over the years, the City has made some improvements, but the vision was always to create a park that brings people together and creates a sense of place in an ever changing neighbourhood.

Through the Established Area Growth and Change Strategy (EAGCS), the Munro Park Improvement Project was launched. The goal is to make Munro Park a vibrant community destination that supports active living, supports nature, reflects the needs of residents, and welcomes visitors.

Frequently asked questions

How will the design make the park safer?

Many residents said the west side of the park along Edmonton Trail felt unsafe. The new design will make this side busier and more welcoming by adding:

  • A 3-on-3 basketball court
  • A community plaza
  • A salvaged public art piece
  • Gathering spaces

These features will bring more people into the area and create a natural “eyes on the park” effect. In the future, lighting and an off-leash dog area could also be added if funding is available.

Are any trees being removed?

Protecting trees is a top priority during the entire construction process. Approximately 120 existing trees will stay, while approximately 12 unhealthy trees and shrubs will be removed. The upgrades also include planting approximately 75 new trees. A tree protection plan will be in place during construction.

Why add basketball courts?

The west side needed more activity to feel safe and visible. A 3-on-3 court, plaza, and public art will bring people into this space.

This kind of court is affordable, takes little space, is accessible for all ages, and can be used when other courts are busy. Community feedback showed basketball was preferred over a skatepark or other options.

Elements important to the community

Why was the playfield kept?

Community feedback showed the playfield was the most valued feature of the park.

Why not add pickleball, disc golf, a skatepark or pump track?

Munro Park is a community park, not a regional park. It doesn’t have parking or washrooms for high-traffic activities.

Pickleball was not included because of noise impacts on nearby homes. Lower-impact amenities were chosen instead.

Why wasn't a shade structure included?

A shade structure was considered but not included in the final plan based on community priorities. One has been designed for the Nature Play Zone and may be added in the future if funding allows.

In the meantime, the park will have approximately 75 new trees, plus the existing trees, to provide more natural shade.

Why were features like an off-leash dog area, skatepark, skating rink or lighting not included?

These features were considered but not included in this phase of upgrades.

However, there is a possibility for lighting and an off leash dog area if funding becomes available in the future. 

What is a bioretention garden?

A bioretention (or rain) garden is a shallow landscaped area that captures rainwater from streets and rooftops. Instead of rushing into drains and carrying pollution to Nose Creek, the water is cleaned by soil and plants before soaking into the ground.
These gardens improve water quality, reduce flooding, and provide habitats for birds, bugs, and butterflies.

Bioretention garden at Munro Park

What does "Urban Rewilding" mean for Munro Park?

Urban Rewilding means creating natural spaces instead of only manicured lawns. At Munro Park, this will include:

  • Native prairie Rough Fescue grasslands
  • Pollinator gardens
  • Aspen groves

These areas attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, while improving air quality and biodiversity.

At first, these spaces may look less “tidy” as plants take time to grow and weeds are managed. Over several seasons, the naturalized areas will become healthier, more beautiful, and full of life. Please respect area closures while the vegetation establishes.

  • Calgary Parks

    There are numerous community and public parks in Calgary to explore.

  • Contact us

    Need additional information on our parks and activities? Want to request maintenance?


This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically. ​

undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null