Calgary's St. Patrick's Island has emerged victorious following a rigorous contest to determine the Great Places in Canada. Organized by the Canadian Institute of Planners, the East Village landmark was the winner in the Great Public Space category, beating out worthy national competition that included Ontario's Algonquin Park, Montreal's Dorchester Square, and The Halifax Boardwalk.

Bloom by Montreal artist Michel de Broin, image by Flickr user Malcolm via Creative Commons

The once-neglected Bow River island underwent a two-year rejuvenation project steered by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) that was unveiled to the public in 2015. Accessible from East Village via the newly built George C. King Bridge, named after Calgary's second mayor, the 31-acre green space has become the urban backyard of a growing population within the densifying inner-city neighbourhood.

Pedestrians navigate the trails of St. Patrick's Island, image by Forum contributor Surrealplaces

The key to unlocking the potential of the space lay in the reversal of the backfill of seasonal river channels that took place in the 1960s. Once this was done, the island's original topography returned, allowing biodiversity to once again flourish on the site. The soil that was removed from the backfill was then partially utilized to construct the Rise, a nine-metre-tall plateau from which views of the city can be enjoyed.

St. Patrick's Island's preserved natural landscape, image by Flickr user minniemouseaunt via Creative Commons

A range of features were introduced to the island, including a kid-friendly play mound, a picnic grove, a boardwalk over naturalized wetlands, wooded areas, and an amphitheatre where outdoor screenings and performances can be held. In collaboration with the architectural and design team, CMLC set out to preserve as much of the natural landscape as possible. The newly restored river channel and urban beach, dubbed The Seasonal Breach, is a tangible reminder of that devotion to the environment.

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