A new kind of green space is taking root in southeast Calgary, as Parks Foundation celebrates the groundbreaking of the Martin Family Legacy Garden—Canada's first public park designed specifically for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The project, which broke ground during National AccessAbility Week, aims to create a safe, peaceful, and inclusive space in the Dover community. With completion expected in 2026, the park is being built near key care centres such as Bethany Riverview and the Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society, making it accessible for many of the Calgarians it's intended to serve.

The design of the park was informed by extensive consultation with caregivers, health professionals, and dementia experts. Features will include flat, looping pathways, noise-buffering landscaping, and enhanced signage to support wayfinding. Shaded seating areas and a central community plaza will offer opportunities for rest and social connection, while a play structure encourages intergenerational interaction—recognizing that many caregivers are also parenting young children. The park is part of the City of Calgary's broader commitment to making public spaces more equitable and accessible for all residents.

Support for the Martin Family Legacy Garden has come from a wide range of partners, including The City of Calgary, Alzheimer Calgary, and the Province of Alberta, as well as community donors like the Martin and Richardson families. For many, the project is deeply personal. Patty Orr, who cared for her mother living with dementia, said she sees the garden as a tribute to the values her mother held: inclusivity, community, and access to nature. Through their collective efforts, the project's backers hope the garden will become a place of connection, healing, and dignity for years to come.