In June 2019, Council passed a Notice of Motion to close Richmond Green Golf Course after the 2019 golf season as part of the Golf Course Sustainability Strategy. This decision was aimed at addressing sustainability and operational challenges.

In November 2020, Council directed The City’s real estate division to submit a land use application to enable the redevelopment of 5 acres of land on the north-west portion of the park site. At the same time, Council directed the assessment of the remaining 48 acres.

In July 2021, the Richmond Green Needs Assessment was conducted to determine current issues and concerns within the park and note potential areas for improvement. In addition, the former golf course was converted to a disc golf course in 2021 for interim use, which overlays drinking water reservoirs. 

In May 2022, Council directed City Administration to market and sell a 5.5-acre parcel of land at Richmond Green Park. The purchaser application process opened on October 3, 2022. Proceeds of land sale, minus real-estate costs of approximately $1.5M, were directed to be reinvested into replacing the baseball diamonds and improving the park.

In August 2024, the sale of the 5.5-acre parcel of land at Richmond Green Park was finalized at a price of $12 million.

The first phase of construction of the Richmond Green Regional Park redevelopment is anticipated to begin in Spring 2025 and will include abatement and demolition of the former City of Calgary operations workplace centre.  

The two small baseball diamonds on the development parcel have been relocated off site. We anticipate the existing access road to be enhanced to provide vehicle and transit connections with the Currie community to the south. 

With the re-purposing and incorporation of the former golf course (+17.5 acres) and the former City of Calgary operations workplace centre (+10 acres), an increase of approximately 22 acres will become open park space available for free public use, despite the loss of the development parcel (-5.5 acres).  

A total of 48.5 acres will become a publicly accessible park that will exist in conjunction with drinking water infrastructure. Pedestrian safety, connectivity and the park experience are important aspects for the park redevelopment.

Public engagement for this project was held in 2021, 2022 and 2023. To view engagement information, visit the Richmond Green Park engagement webpage.

Richmond Green Regional Park is a 48.5-acre redevelopment project in southwest Calgary that will transform three distinct areas into a cohesive and vibrant regional park featuring both active and passive recreational opportunities. 

Currently, the park offers a variety of recreational amenities, including a temporary disc golf course (on the former golf course), tennis/pickleball courts, a baseball diamond, toboggan hill, and playground. The site also includes underground water reservoirs and a 10-acre parcel of land formerly used as a City of Calgary Operations Workplace Centre.

With the closure of the Richmond Green Golf Course and the decommissioning of the Operations Workplace Centre, the park is now being reimagined as a connected and inclusive destination. The redevelopment aims to:

• Expand greenspace and restore natural amenities 
• Improve and diversify recreational amenities for all ages and abilities
• Enhance pathways and connections in the park, as well as to surrounding communities
• Incorporate sustainable design features, such as bioswales and low-impact stormwater management

The park redevelopment will focus on addressing feedback we heard from the public regarding access to the park, additional open green space, additional pathways, and park connectivity to better serve park users as a welcoming regional park.

Public engagement for the Richmond Green Park redevelopment project was held in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Feedback received through public engagement is considered and balanced in conjunction with other factors such as design principles, technical feasibility, and site constraints, as well as environmental, operational, and financial considerations.

Through the engagement process for Richmond Green Park, we heard from Calgarians that the current park space was underutilized for various reasons. The new park design focuses on addressing feedback we heard from the public regarding access through the park, additional open green space, improving amenities, additional pathways, and park connectivity to surrounding communities.

To view engagement information, visit the Richmond Green Park engagement webpage.

The Richmond Green Park redevelopment project went through several design stages and included multiple versions of the park design as part of the master plan process. Through this process we learned some amenities we originally hoped to include in the redevelopment were not feasible due to financial constraints, as well as functional and technical evaluations.

The final park design also reflects valuable input gathered through public engagement in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Community feedback played an important role and was considered and balanced in conjunction with other factors such as design principles, technical feasibility, and site constraints, as well as environmental, operational, and financial realities.

A summary of the park design refinements can be downloaded.

While we received many great ideas, not all could be included due to budget constraints and practical limitations. We worked to find a thoughtful balance between what the community asked for and what could realistically function, be built and maintained cohesively.

The park redevelopment aims to improve accessibility, protect natural features, enhance the quality of amenities offered and balance recreational needs to ensure the park serves a wide range of users for years to come. To achieve this, public feedback is considered and balanced in conjunction with other factors such as design principles, technical feasibility, and site constraints, as well as environmental, operational, and financial considerations.

As a result of the above factors, some design amenities were refined or removed.

The current park redevelopment is not impacted by a future water reservoir expansion. The baseball field in the northwest corner of the park has been identified as a potential location for a long‑term, future reservoir expansion should it ever be required to support Calgary’s water supply. There is no approved project or timeline for this expansion, and the area is being protected solely as a long‑range planning measure.

If underground water infrastructure were ever to be expanded in the future, The City would work collaboratively across Water Services, Recreation and Social Programs to manage impacts and support the maintenance or redevelopment of recreational amenities. The City recognizes the importance of existing park amenities and is committed to balancing recreation with essential water services.

We are working closely with our water infrastructure and security subject matter experts to incorporate adequate security measures into the park design while creating open, pedestrian access in the park. The Water Operations team uses sophisticated, continuous monitoring systems to ensure water quality and safety, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The current fence along the access road was installed while the park was used as a golf course and will be removed as part of the park redevelopment. Targeted security fencing will be installed around the above-ground water infrastructure such as vents and buildings.

No, the reservoirs contain potable (drinking) water, and chlorination uses very low concentrations, significantly lower than those used in swimming pools. Water treatment and storage are strictly regulated, and continuous monitoring systems are in place to ensure water quality and public safety at all times. 

As part of the Richmond Green Park project, 2.14 hectares will be redesignated as Municipal Reserve (MR) to meet the City’s 10% reserve dedication requirement associated with subdivision. MR designated land is proposed in the southwest corner of the park. The purpose of MR land is to provide public parks, recreation areas, or school/open-space sites. This redesignation accounts for the Council-directed sale of the land parcel containing the two small baseball diamonds. The land use will change from Special Purpose – Recreation (S-R) to Special Purpose – School, Park, and Community Reserve (S-SPR) through Application DMAP LOC2023-0150.

Using MR for parks and open space ensures the land remains legally protected for public use over the long term. The final location of the MR will be confirmed once the road design is complete.

With limited dedicated pickleball courts in Calgary, The City is responding to high community demand and city-wide amenity gap by introducing new courts at Richmond Green Park. The park’s layout, surrounding land uses, and capacity to accommodate this amenity make it a rare inner-city opportunity to introduce dedicated pickleball facilities of this scale.  The site’s context and existing buffers allow pickleball to be introduced while minimizing land‑use conflicts. These factors make Richmond Green Park particularly well‑suited to support this amenity in a way that balances recreation with neighbourhood compatibility.

As part of the Richmond Green Park redevelopment, the project team worked closely with internal experts from the City’s Recreation and Social Programs to review city‑wide amenity needs, participation trends and available usage data.

Pickleball is a rapidly growing and currently underserved sport in Calgary. Research shows that 17 per cent of Calgary households and 24 per cent of households in Ward 8 participate in pickleball. Despite this demand, there are only two dedicated pickleball courts within a five‑kilometre radius of Richmond Green Park, which makes it difficult for residents to find available space to play. The Richmond Green Pickleball Club has about200 members and typically sees 30–45 players per day using the existing shared courts.

Since implementing shared courts, The City has received feedback that combining tennis and pickleball can create conflicts between users and limit play opportunities for both sports. Transitioning to dedicated pickleball courts at Richmond Green Park helps reduce these conflicts and provides a higher‑quality experience for pickleball players.

At the same time, The City recognizes the importance of continued access to tennis. The City plans to convert the existing combined courts in Killarney to dedicated tennis courts and is exploring the potential addition of new dedicated tennis courts nearby, adjacent to the Killarney Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Early discussions suggest interest in this approach; however, any new courts would be subject to comprehensive community engagement and confirmation of demand through the Killarney Park Improvements project.

This approach allows The City to expand access to pickleball, improve sport equity, and reduce shared‑court conflicts, while continuing to support tennis through nearby facilities and the broader park system.

The City plans recreational amenities across the park network to balance demand, reduce conflicts between uses, and provide higher‑quality, dedicated playing opportunities where possible. Decisions at individual parks are made in the context of surrounding facilities rather than in isolation.

As part of this coordinated approach, pickleball and tennis opportunities are being planned together across the area. Changes at Richmond Green Park, along with adjustments at nearby sites, are intended to better align facilities with how each sport is played and used today.

Together, these changes reflect a network‑based approach to meeting demand for both pickleball and tennis while improving the overall quality, usability, and distribution of recreational amenities.

As part of the Richmond Green Park redevelopment, the project team worked closely with Canada Lands Company (CLC) to adjust the alignment of Quesnay Wood Drive S.W. Through this process, a new long‑term plan was established to retain the existing park building and public washrooms, recognizing their ongoing value for park users and park operations.

The basketball court construction had been planned to align with the anticipated timing of the building’s removal and was therefore not included in the planned construction phases. With the decision to retain the building as part of the updated long‑term plan, the building continues to occupy the area where a basketball court had previously been proposed.

This change reflects a deliberate decision to preserve existing park infrastructure while continuing to deliver a wide range of recreational amenities through the phased redevelopment of the park.

The Richmond Green Park redevelopment is being delivered in phases to allow for responsible budgeting, staged construction, and the timely delivery of new park amenities.

Phase 1 – Complete (2025)

Phase 1 focused on preparing the site for future park improvements through the demolition and environmental abatement of the former Operations Work Centre.

• Budget: $3 million
• Construction timeline: May to October 2025 (complete)

Phase 2 – Planned (2026-2028)

Phase 2 represents the main phase of park redevelopment and will deliver a wide range of new recreation, accessibility, and environmental improvements across the park. Construction is planned to begin in spring 2026.

• Budget: $24 million
• Construction timeline: Spring 2026

Phase 2 improvements include:

• Cricket batting cage
• 16 Dedicated pickleball courts
• Pathway additions, connections and upgrades
• Disc golf (13 holes and practice area)
• Destination Playground
• Picnic area with shelters
• Stormwater management 
• Upgrades to existing parking lot with drop-off (70 stalls)
• New parking lot on east side with drop-off (75 stalls)

Construction (Starting 2026)

• The tennis courts and tot lot will be closed and removed starting in spring 2026.
• New pickleball courts are anticipated to open in fall 2026.
• Disc golf will be closed starting in summer 2026 and is anticipated to reopen in 2028.
• Construction on the east side of the access road (e.g. new parking lot, playground, pathways, picnic area) is expected to begin in summer 2026 and last approximately two years.
• The baseball diamond and toboggan hill will remain open throughout construction.

To keep park visitors safe, temporary partial closures will be in place throughout construction. This includes a temporary partial closure of the parking lot in 2026 (timing to be determined).

Please watch for posted signage directing visitors and identifying construction areas. Construction updates will be posted on this website and shared through the Richmond Green newsletter.

Phase 3 – Future (2027-2028)

Phase 3 is a newly added future phase of the redevelopment, currently planned to begin in 2027, subject to securing additional funding. This phase expands the original project scope and would introduce a bike-focused amenity in the southwest corner of the park.

Implementation of the bike-focused amenity remains contingent on additional funding and will be confirmed through detailed design. 

Yes, the City constructed two new baseball diamonds, one in Aspen and one in Westgate.

The City worked with Calgary West Little League to relocate one of the small baseball diamonds previously located on the west side of Richmond Green Park to the Westgate Community Centre. This work will was funded through the Richmond Green Park Design.

The City reviewed surrounding communities to identify opportunities to relocate the diamonds. Westgate has two existing diamonds on the green space next to the Westgate Community Centre that could benefit from improvements, and there is also space to add an additional diamond.

After engaging with interested parties and reviewing a number of options, the City rebuilt the two existing baseball diamonds on the north end of Westgate and add one additional diamond in the southeast quadrant.

As part of phase 2 development, The City is planning to install a cricket batting cage between the pickleball courts and the baseball diamond. This location allows the amenity to be integrated into the park while maintaining appropriate separation from other recreational uses.

Phase 3 is a newly added phase of construction, scheduled to begin in 2027, and represents a positive expansion of the Richmond Green Park redevelopment beyond what was originally planned. Planning on this phase is contingent on funding and detailed design.

Bike amenity
A bike amenity is planned for the southwest corner of the park. While the general location has been identified, specific design features will be developed through detailed design to ensure the amenity is safely integrated with surrounding pathways, nearby uses, and the overall park layout.

Phase 3 depends securing on additional funding, and all elements will be confirmed through detailed design. The City will continue to share updates as planning for this phase progresses.

Canada Lands Company (CLC) is responsible for constructing Quesnay Wood Drive and the intersection at 33rd Avenue S.W. The City is coordinating closely with them to ensure safe and seamless integration with the park.

The project team worked closely with Canada Lands Company (CLC) to adjust the alignment of Quesnay Wood Drive SW. This change allows the existing building and public washrooms to be preserved, which is a significant benefit for park users and park operations.

As a result of preserving the building footprint, the basketball courts are no longer included in the park design, as they were previously planned in this location.

Canada Lands Company (CLC) is responsible for constructing Quesnay Wood Drive and the intersection at 33rd Avenue S.W. The City is coordinating closely with them to ensure safe and seamless integration with the park. A traffic circle would not impact any planned park amenities.

Soils in part of the former City Operations Workplace Centre area at Richmond Green Park are impacted by historic road salt operations. Environmental investigations confirm these conditions do not pose a risk to public health or the environment when properly managed, and all areas of the park are safe for public use.

Environmental studies completed for this site have been submitted to the Province of Alberta and are publicly available through the Environmental Site Assessment Repository under File Number DLTM0013567: https://www.alberta.ca/environmental-site-assessment-repository.

Contaminated soils, including salt‑impacted soils, are required to be managed in accordance with the Province of Alberta’s Contaminated Sites Policy Framework (2023). The soil conditions at the site are regulated by the Province of Alberta under the Contaminated Sites Policy Framework. More information on this framework is available at: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/contaminated-sites-policy-framework.

The City is implementing a risk‑based management strategy in alignment with the Contaminated Site Policy Framework. The strategy includes targeted capping and removal of salt‑impacted soils to create appropriate conditions for healthy plant growth in the park. This approach has been used at other parks and open‑space redevelopments and supports long‑term site management.

Following redevelopment, The City of Calgary will retain long‑term responsibility for monitoring and managing salt‑impacted soils as part of ongoing park operations, in compliance with provincial environmental policies and regulations.

We are continuing to work with the Urban Forestry team and our contractors to ensure all precautions are taken to protect the tree canopy in Richmond Green Park during the park redevelopment construction. Tree protection plans are mandatory throughout construction and preserving existing trees in good health while also planning for the long-term health and diversity of the overall tree canopy is a top priority.

As part of the redevelopment, over 350 new trees and more than 4,500 shrubs will be planted to support long-term canopy renewal, ecological resilience, and biodiversity.

Of the approximately 200 trees to be removed, over half were assessed by Urban Forestry as unsafe or in significant decline. The remaining removals are required to accommodate new amenities. Existing tree locations are a consideration during detail design to limit the impact of proposed changes and new amenities. The design carefully balances amenity expansion with canopy preservation to support public safety, recreational goals, and ecological health.

The disc golf course and pathway have been designed together to ensure user safety and minimize potential conflicts. As a regional park, the site is intended to accommodate a broad range of people and activities, and the design reflects the desire for multiple uses to safety coexist. The disc golf course layout specifically considers the future pathway alignment, with baskets and throwing directions oriented away from the pathway wherever possible. In addition, protective netting will be strategically placed in key locations to further reduce the risk of discs entering pathway areas. Following implementation, The City is committed to reviewing the functionality of both the disc golf course and the pathway and to identify whether any additional mitigation measures may be required.

A new traffic study was not required for the Richmond Green Park redevelopment because this type of park project does not trigger a traffic study requirement under standard transportation planning guidelines. Traffic impact studies are typically required for developments that introduce significant new vehicle access points or generate substantial new traffic volumes, such as large residential, commercial, or institutional developments.

The Richmond Green Park redevelopment does not introduce new roadway access or land uses that would significantly change traffic patterns.

While the transportation systems outside of the Richmond Green Park boundary are not part of this project, they are being monitored by The City as development occurs and improvements will be completed as required through applicable development agreements.