
Charles Simmonds Park Renewal
The renewal of McKernan's Charles Simmonds Park was completed in 2025.
After many months of planning, work began in 2024 with the construction of the pathway, benches, picnic tables, gazebo and the playground. The park was completed in early 2025 with the installation of the large climbing structure.
The Park Renewal team has worked diligently on fundraising and has had good support from community members, significant contributions from McKernan and Belgravia Community Leagues, and a further contribution from a large-scale developer building in the community.
Project history
Charles Simmonds Park lies at the west edge of McKernan, at 115 St. and 79 Ave. It had not been upgraded in many years and needed attention to make it more usable for residents in both the McKernan and Belgravia communities.
Location and vision
Because the park is located in the McKernan Hip (the section adjacent to Belgravia), the project was primarily under the auspices of the McKernan Community League. However, the Belgravia Community League was also be an important part of the process. A committee with members from both the McKernan and Belgravia communities looked at what the park would need to make it more welcoming to everyone who uses the park, including families, seniors, students and all other potential park users.
Thanks to donors and supporters
Thanks to all the generous donors who made the renewal possible:
The City of Edmonton
Pinto Properties Inc
Westrich Pacific Corp.
McKernan Community League
Belgravia Community League
Margaret Ackman
Ani Family
Neil Armstrong
Carl & Doreen Betke
Jeffrey Bisanz
Pearl and Bill Brady
Sarah Chapelsky
Roberta Franchuk
Daisy Fung
Marilyn Johnson
The Mundane Family
Marjorie Purdy
Leonard Ratzlaff
Kevin & Anna Steffler
Peter & Gail Steffler
David & Heather Zygun
plus two anonymous donors
And to the members of the Charles Simmonds Park Renewal Committee
Murray and Margaret Cann
David Crittenden
Gail Fraser-Steffler
Michael Frost
Mary O’Connell
Ethan Proctor
Mary-Pat Schlosser
Imogen Sellman
Kevin Steffler
Donna Vine
along with City of Edmonton staff Kate Russell, Duane Boos, Jeff McLeod, Heather Blair, Kathryn Hutchinson and Rebecca Henuset.