Why We Exist
Parks matter to Calgarians. They are cherished places where we play, connect with each other and immerse ourselves in nature. Parks development is vital to the creation of healthy, innovative and liveable cities. Ongoing support is required to build and improve Calgary’s treasured parks and school playgrounds, as public funding only takes us so far.
For 40 years, in collaboration with our cherished donors and partners, Parks Foundation has been a catalyst in pioneering and creating outdoor spaces in our city that we love and value.
Please consider making a donation. Your support will help us create new parks, improve existing park space and offer important community programs and grants to Calgarians. When our parks thrive, we all benefit, and our city becomes a healthier, more vibrant place to live, connect and succeed.
What We Do
At Parks Foundation, we create parks though partnerships, connecting donors and partners with relevant and innovative park and sport projects. By prioritizing equity and forging strong partnerships, we aim to enrich Calgary’s outdoor spaces and enhance our city’s identity and quality of life. Under our guidance and care, a variety of park, school and sport projects are always under development.
Recognizing community challenges and opportunities, we're committed to narrowing equity gaps, responding to the urgency of the natural world and fostering Calgary's resilience and beyond. Together, in collaboration with our cherished donors and partners, we are bettering our city one park at a time.
Our Impact
Over the years, Parks Foundation has transformed Calgary’s outdoor landscape through hundreds of park projects like the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway, a 145 km network of pathways and parks encircling Calgary. In the past year, we partnered with 100+ community groups to build and revitalize outdoor and sport spaces with the generosity and support of our donors. Parks Foundation initiatives range from building and enhancing playgrounds and natural spaces to dedication services for over 1,600 park benches and picnic tables, providing accessible places for recreation and remembrance. Learn more about our impact through our Storybooks!
“We were able to take our hopes for the space and create a playground that inspires imagination and encourages active play.”
“Building a park where people smile and laugh and play, where families and strangers share meals, talk about a week in their lives and their backgrounds, is the very best way to build community together. ”
Mission
We create inclusive parks and community spaces that drive a sustainable and healthy future.
Vision
A healthy community uplifted by vibrant parks.
Values
Community / Collaboration / Integrity / Excellence / Inclusivity
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
At the Parks Foundation, we acknowledge and pay tribute to the original caretakers of the land, whose legacy reminds us of the rich histories that came before us. We celebrate the connection of the community and the land that we live on, and we honor the responsibility we carry to steward the land through our projects and initiatives. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Stoney Nakoda Nations (Chiniki, Bearspaw, Goodstoney), the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.