Construction set to begin on landscaping project at southwest corner of Galt Gardens

A joint Capital Improvement Plan-funded (CIP) project between Parks and Urban Revitalization will aim to provide a safer and more welcoming design to the southwest entrance of Downtown Lethbridge’s primary park.

The Galt Gardens SW Corner Landscaping Project will improve the hardscaping, incorporate two new entrances to the pergola, improve existing lighting and add in additional lighting. Fencing will be going up Wednesday and the area will be closed off to pedestrians. The bulk of the project is anticipated to be complete by the end of October, weather permitting, with some work to be finished in spring 2025.

The idea for this project began with a collaboration between the University of Lethbridge and the City. During the fall 2020 semester, four students completed a research project on short- and medium-term initiatives to make Galt Gardens more inclusive. The idea was to improve the landscape areas, through a focus on Indigenous representation, surrounding the Pergola in a manner that enhance vibrance and safety. Our Parks and Urban Revitalization teams then worked closely with Indigenous consultant Marjie Crop Eared Wolf on elements of the design, art and language to be included.

Concurrent to this project, our Parks teams had already begun some tree canopy and shrub cleanup work in the area, with a focus on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Bringing more people and positive activity to Galt Gardens will help reduce the undesirable behaviour.

The construction cost for the landscaping project is $437,000, previously approved through the 2022-2031 CIP items D-20 (Urban Core Public Realm Enhancement Program) and D-9 (Parks Asset Management).

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