[Out of Towner]

To be fair, this is actually artwork. But the RFP to artists required it to allow for child play. It is not really envisioned as traditional playground, as the requirement for artwork was part of the "1% for art" program for the Centennial Plaza renewal. A full playground was never contemplated here.

The space has visual interest and in my view is top notch but its isolation or its absence of integration with anything else keeps it from being fully appreciated. The shortcoming has more to do with the battleship adjacent to it rather than the artwork itself. The urban planning at city hall imho needs to be upgraded so that projects focused on different objects fit together cohesively rather than creating a mish mash of awkward spaces.

 

[Whatup]

I get you’re speaking more broadly but since you’re in this thread, are you saying 97% of people are that stupid? The spelling of O-day’min is far more intuitive for an English speaker than Keswick, Desrochers, Griesbach, Hawrelak, etc.

Plus, whatever movement or lack thereof Indigenous place names create in the reconciliation process, whining about the place names actively undermines it.

You missed the point of my comment. Giving places indigenous names, most of which are very difficult to pronounce for a vast majority of the citizens, is relatively harmless and well - meaning. However, the city and province need to focus on truly important issues that are related to reconcilation - such as a better outcome for Pacey Dumas and trying to mitigate the impacts of continued institutionalized racism by important government agencies like the EPS. There is no excuse for how the EPS and Crown Prosecutor handled the Pacey Dumas case and people who think reconciliation is headed in the right direction need to give their head a shake. The police officer who assaulted Pacey Dumas should be held on attempted murder charges at the least - the fact that he has not even been punished reeks of LAPD or Deep South justice. These are the things that matter. Giving public spaces indigenous names doesn't really do anything of substance to help reconciliation. The Pacey Dumas fiasco is what undermines reconciliation, not whining about whatever they renamed Oliver.

 

[IanO]

Certainly not perfect, but I am really, REALLY looking forward to:

1. taking my nephew to the new playground.
2. throwing a frisbee in the new green space.
3. getting ice cream and going on a swing under aurora with my gf.
4. shooting some hoops with a buddy post-work
5. removing the biggest blackhole in the Downtown core

 

[yeggator]

The aurora lights will be very Instagrammable. And despite the design, the basketball courts will still be great for 3v3. I’m excited!

(P.S. Skyrise meetup when the park opens?)

 

[Seamusmuldrew]

I have forgotten … what is the new name for the former Oliver community?

Can you say Wetaskiwin? Or Saskatchewan? If so, Wîhkwêntôwin should be very easy

 

[Out of Towner]

In the spirit of reconciliation, city council should stop pussy footing around and do something bold by changing the city's name from Edmonton to an indigenous name.

 

[EdmTrekker]

In the spirit of reconciliation, city council should stop pussy footing around and do something bold by changing the city's name from Edmonton to an indigenous name.

Well the football team did - then was pressured to ditch it so they renamed the team the Elks (not an Indian name but Wapiti is but the owners did not like the name) - and now back to the Eskimos, despite most Inuit peoples opposed to what they think is as a racist name. Asked ChatGTP for 3 names to be the new name for Edmonton

AI Overview

If Edmonton were to change its name, three potentially good options could be Edmonton Miners, Edmonton Ravens, or Edmonton Rivers. These names evoke aspects of Edmonton's history and geography while remaining distinct and positive.

Elaboration:

• Edmonton Miners:
  This name references the city's history with coal mining, which was a significant part of its early development. It also suggests strength, resilience, and hard work, qualities often associated with miners.
• Edmonton Ravens:
  Ravens are intelligent, adaptable, and associated with the northern regions, making them a fitting symbol for Edmonton. The name is also relatively unique and memorable.
• Edmonton Rivers:
  Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River, and the river has played a vital role in the city's history and development. This name connects the city to its natural surroundings in a clear and positive way.

 

[TAS]

The southeast corner of the park.

 

[retiredfire]

It looks like 106 st is going on a diet. This may remove some of the hump on the road at 102 ave.

 

[Edmcowboy11]

- and now back to the Eskimos, despite most Inuit peoples opposed to what they think is as a racist name.

And yet so many (inuit) interviewed didn't think so. As far as I recall corporate sponsors were forcing the name change. Anyways,, not to get into a long debate, just pointing out the other side a bit.

Back to the park. If it gets a cree name there still needs to be a phonetic spelling potentially needed. Saskatchewan and Wetaskiwin sound like they are spelled, but other cree words aren't.
Ex.Tawatinâ LRT Bridge
At first glance non cree speakers will pronounce it "ta wa ti na", unfortunately the pronunciation is "dah wa ti now"

Now to take it one step further, if the city uses the same logic for naming, Tawatinâ meaning valley, then the name of the warehouse park could be "Astâsonikamikw Park"., meaning warehouse park. Although don't even ask me how this is pronounced.

 

[IanO]

View attachment 668245
It looks like 106 st is going on a diet. This may remove some of the hump on the road at 102 ave.

It's quite a nice redo, far more urban and will compliment the park and new residential on the east side nicely.

 

[itom987]

Can you say Wetaskiwin? Or Saskatchewan? If so, Wîhkwêntôwin should be very easy

What does Wetaskiwin and Saskatchewan have in common? No stupid ^"-' symbols within the letters. Get rid of all that garbage from Wîhkwêntôwin. I'm not against indigenous names but they need to roll off the tongue easily for everyone. I literally copy and pasted Wîhkwêntôwin in because it's a hassle to type on the keyboard, I can't imagine how bad it is to do on a phone.

 

[Dubas]

View attachment 668245
It looks like 106 st is going on a diet. This may remove some of the hump on the road at 102 ave.

Anyone know if they are doing both sides of 106st? The renderings seem to indicate they are, but they only closed one side.

 

[ChazYEG]

Anyone know if they are doing both sides of 106st? The renderings seem to indicate they are, but they only closed one side.

I am assuming they'll do the other side after one is ready, so the road doesn't need to be fully closed for pedestrians and vehicles?

 

[TAS]

And yet so many (inuit) interviewed didn't think so. As far as I recall corporate sponsors were forcing the name change. Anyways,, not to get into a long debate, just pointing out the other side a bit.

Back to the park. If it gets a cree name there still needs to be a phonetic spelling potentially needed. Saskatchewan and Wetaskiwin sound like they are spelled, but other cree words aren't.
Ex.Tawatinâ LRT Bridge
At first glance non cree speakers will pronounce it "ta wa ti na", unfortunately the pronunciation is "dah wa ti now"

Now to take it one step further, if the city uses the same logic for naming, Tawatinâ meaning valley, then the name of the warehouse park could be "Astâsonikamikw Park"., meaning warehouse park. Although don't even ask me how this is pronounced.

As noted before a few times, the park name has already been approved. O'day-min Park.

Easy to pronounce, too.