This inclusive community park at the corner of Franklin and Main contributes to the vibrancy and beautification of the downtown area.
In the Cree and Michif languages, Kiyām means “Let it be” and is used when you are at peace with yourself and your surroundings, and nothing anyone does or says can affect you.
Something for everyone at Kiyām Community Park
Kiyām Community Park offers many features designed to bring people into the park and downtown Fort McMurray across all seasons. Some remaining work will be completed in 2023 once the construction season resumes. The park is open and available for event bookings, and anyone seeking to book the park must apply for a special event permit.
The park's features will include:
- Ample space to host community events (big and small)
- Space for micro-retail
- Natural playground
- Multicoloured atmosphere lights that can be programmed with different colours
- Interactive water feature during warmer months
- Seating area
- Medicine wheel rock garden
- Outdoor electronic charging stations
- Shade structures
- Inviting pathways, trees, shrubs, and flowers
- Flag poles, including one for special events
- Full-size FIBA basketball court and multi-use surface (elements will be completed in 2023)
- Washrooms (to be installed in 2023)
- Additional parking
Public feedback shaped the final design of the park, and the name was supported and recommended by two Council-appointed committees.
What’s the story behind the public art in Kiyām Park?
Along the border of the park at 10019 Franklin Ave. is a temporary mural showcasing the region. This mural, designed by Sedef Uzer Prakash, was created as part of the region-wide Pop-up Photography Tour.
It is composed of beautiful images that celebrate the wealth of diversity, meaningful relationships and connected communities of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, captured by local photographer Crystal Mercredi. The pop-up photography tour was a joint initiative between Public Art Wood Buffalo and Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism.
In the heart of Kiyām Community Park are two unique benches. These are “sisters” to beautiful benches installed in Anzac and Saprae Creek Estates. Public Art Wood Buffalo collaborated with those two communities to create the unique bench designs led by two local artists, Kritsana Naowakhun and Amy Keller-Rempp, as part of the Public Art Bench Program. The designs were inspired through various community engagements.
What’s being done to keep Kiyām Park safe?
The park is designed to international safety standards called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). These include considerations such as:
- Year-round lighting
- Placement of trees, structures and plants to avoid creating hiding places
- Sightlines into and through the park for police and pedestrians
- Seating areas that are out in the open, providing long sightlines
