Community comes together to raise flags and cut ribbon at Kiyām Park

The ribbon has been cut at Kiyām Community Park! Community leaders and more than 100 people were in attendance to celebrate the official opening of the park and raising of the flags.

“I am tremendously appreciative of everyone that played a role in the development and official opening of Kiyām Community Park, including the previous Council which approved the project,” said Mayor Sandy Bowman. “This new park will contribute to a more vibrant downtown while celebrating our community spirit and northern and Indigenous heritage.”

The ribbon cutting was a celebration of the new park and its contribution to downtown Fort McMurray. The ceremony featured an Indigenous honour song, followed by singing of the national anthem in Cree and English as five flags representing Canada, Alberta, RMWB, Treaty 8 and Métis were raised. The park also features a community flagpole, which was topped with the Arctic Winter Games International Committee flag.

What does Kiyām mean?   

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.

Enjoy the park!

There is something for everyone at Kiyām Community Park. The park features a medicine wheel rock garden, natural playground, an interactive water feature, a full-size basketball court, seating area, multicolored atmosphere lights and ample space to host community events.

Public Art is reflected all around Kiyām Community Park

A highlight of the park 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 with beautiful images that celebrate the wealth of diversity, meaningful relationships, and the 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. The benches are sister benches from ones 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 conversations at various community engagements.

Funding support

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada, with grant administration support through the Government of Alberta.

“Alberta’s government is pleased to support projects like Kiyām Community Park that, not only contribute to the well-being of Albertans, but also strengthen Alberta communities and boost local economies,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. “Kiyām Community Park will help revitalize the downtown area and provide much-needed space for community events and activities for all to enjoy.”

To learn more about Kiyām Community Park, visit rmwb.ca/kiyam

For further information or questions, please contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, toll-free 1-800-973-9663.