Community League Plaza in William Hawrelak Park
EFCL’s 100th Anniversary Project
The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL), which represents 163 Community Leagues in Edmonton, turned 100 years old in 2021. To celebrate this milestone, the EFCL has worked with the City of Edmonton on a significant upgrade to Hawrelak Park; one that celebrates and recognizes the amazing contributions Community Leagues and their volunteers have made to the very fabric and quality of life in Edmonton while adding park features that everyone can enjoy.
More Information
This amenity is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton and information about Hawrelak park, hours of operation and park features and services can be found on the City of Edmonton website.
For any operational concerns, please contact 311.
The Ribbon Cutting, October 3, 2020
We had a marvelous time presenting the Community League Plaza to the public on October 3, 2020. Thanks to all who joined us, as well as project sponsors, volunteers, and supporters! See a recording of the ribbon cutting ceremony above, or check out our press room for more information.
Tell us what you think! Tag us on Instagram or Facebook, send us photos, and use the hashtag #yegCLplaza and email us plaza@efcl.org when you visit.
100th Anniversary Project Overview
EFCL has created a new destination park space in W. Hawrelak Park. The Community Leagues have done a tremendous job of growing recreation, building community facilities, encouraging neighbourhood engagement and shaping the look of where we live. We wanted to do something worthy of honouring this great contribution.
The Community League Plaza is a tribute to the Community League volunteers that have helped to build Edmonton for more than 100 years. Located on the southeast of the lake, this plaza is an all-season amenity that will be open to the public this fall. It includes new seating, lake and creek viewing areas, artwork, displays, and information about how Edmonton and the Community League movement have grown together through time. Along the cleaned up stream feature are additional new installations to engage visitors and offer creative ways to demonstrate the continuing contributions of an ever expanding movement of volunteers.
The EFCL has cleaned up the stream for park visitors to better enjoy the soothing sounds and visual benefits of this beautiful park feature.
Read more about the history of the EFCL and the Community League movement.
Community League Legacy
What does your Community League and your neighbourhood mean to you? Do you or someone else in your neighbourhood know the history of your Community League? These are all important stories to tell, to share and to be proud of.
Preserving the Community League history is a very important part of this project.
The following videos were developed to share the project visioning from 2013 and to share the final designs with funders and the public prior to construction.
Summary: How the Project Evolved
From the beginning, our member leagues approved a five-year funding commitment, each league contributing 2,000 for at total of $314,000.
The federal government also provided funding in the amount of $355,000.
City council unanimously approved a motion to fund $600,000 in the 2015-2017 Capital Budget and another $750,000 in 2019.
We received $500,000 from the Government of Alberta in 2015 and in 2019 we received a $1 million grant as well.
Most recently our partner Area Councils came together to sponsor an element of our project and made a significant donation to our Citizen’s Voice Display.
We thank our many corporate donors such as Capital Power, Stanley Construction, and Western Archrib as well as our EFCL corporate partners Servus Credit Union and Foster Park Brokers.
Many community building associations contributed to this project such as Edmonton Heritage Council and the Urban Developers Institute.
For a full listing of all our individuals, families, and company donors that we are so grateful for, please see our sponsors and donors below. We are still accepting donations to add to the Project fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation. This endowment fund (tax receipts available) is to ensure that this new amenity remains looked after, current, relevant and beautiful for the next 100 years!
Construction on the Community League Plaza began in the fall of 2019.
The Community League Plaza celebrates 100 years of cherished community memories. One hundred years of friendships made and recreational activities enjoyed. It celebrates who we are – a city of neighbours that believe in and create community.
The finalization of constructing this plaza is the beginning of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the EFCL and our legacy of leagues working together to build community in our neighbourhoods.
We are in the final stages of our landscaping and displays.
Construction is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2020. Community League Plaza will be available for public use once construction is complete.
October 3rd marked the grand opening of the Community League Plaza! It was a beautiful day in Hawrelak Park, and we were thrilled to be joined by folks from all over Edmonton to celebrate the occasion. Thank you to everyone who spoke at the ceremony about what the Plaza means to them.
The entire ceremony can be viewed on YouTube, along with several shorter segments from the day, including a 9-minute recap of the event.
Sponsored by: Urban Development Institute
Artwork
Along the stream are interpretive displays and art installations that tell the story of the key pillars of the Community League movement.
Entrance Sign
Interpretive Art Walk Signage
Click on an image to read a larger version.
Map Wall
The Map will display each League and their associated date of formation.
Timeline Wall
We will share our history along the timeline wall.
Frequently Asked Questions
The fireplace and heaters are all operated by pressing buttons on the fireplace and heaters themselves. The buttons are located behind the timeline wall. They will run for a preset amount of time and then turn off.
For any operational concerns, please contact 311.
Yes, Community Leagues were all some of the first funders of the project.
The Community League Plaza is located nearest the south central side of Hawrelak Park. It can be accessed from all sides of the Plaza by paths and walkways. In winter, pond access for ice skaters will also be available; that’s correct, you can skate right up to the steps leading from the pond to the Plaza.
Yes, there is a natural gas fireplace in the centre of the Plaza.
As you may well know, Edmonton was the first city nationally to adopt a community league system. Today we are well known internationally as a model for a community engagement system that has had a profoundly positive effect on the quality of life for our residents. Edmonton residents enjoy an unparalleled level of amenities, services, and programs locally because of the passionate efforts of community league volunteers.
Right now, we know that community leagues are struggling with increased regulation and complexity in every service they provide and they are challenged with an overburdened volunteer pool. This project is an attempt to give some very worthy recognition for 100 years of volunteer service and to promote and inspire future generations to stay engaged in community matters.
This location is a central site for all of our communities to access. Hawrelak Park hosts thousands of visitors each year and will continue to do so for many years to come. In consultation with city administrators it was identified as an under-utilized area that could benefit from restoration. Here, we can make a great contribution worthy of the historic contribution we endeavour to honour. In this beautiful river valley nook we can create an attractive amenity as a gift to the city and establish a lasting tribute. This will go a long way to keeping our valued Community League system strong and thriving.
The Plaza is not currently available to be booked. It is, however, open to spontaneous use, so go ahead and give it a visit!
The Plaza is open for public use now!
Time Capsule
The time capsule has been purchased and will be installed at the shorter feature wall at the plaza site. Stay tuned to hear about what will be gathered to be included in the time capsule and how our Community Leagues can participate! We will be encouraging Community Leagues to contribute.
Our Sponsors
Founders
All Community Leagues donated in all 12 districts
Guardians & Partners
Stewards & Builders
Community League Area Council 1
Community League Area Council 2
Castledowns Recreation Society
South West Area Council (SWAC)
Terwillegar Riverbend Advisory Council (TRAC)
Leaders & Champions
Allan Bolstad
Councillor Mike Nickel
EFCL Great Neighbour Race
Fraternal Order of the Eagles
Masood M. & Ilene Fleming
Playworks/Parkworks
Refine Renovations
Reynolds Mirth Richards and Farmer
Rhonda Newman
Southwest Transportation Committee
Western Archrib
Edmonton Millwoods Lions Club
Lindsay and Cathy Smith
The Spring-Begoray Family
Scorpio Masonry
The Gyro Club of Edmonton
Urban Development Institute
Community Supporters – EFCL $100 Club
Al Shamal Shriners – Silver Wings Div
Allan Bolstad
Alyson Szafranski
Beverly Zubot
Brent Flesher
Brittany Graling
Councillor Andrew Knack
David Dodge
David Gibbens
Debra Jakubec
Elaine Solez
Fraser Porter
Fraternal Order of the Eagles
Gavin Martinson
James L Holland
James LeBlanc
Joanne Booth
Kendra Elan Black
Kerri DeLuca
Leanne Rosinski
Lindsay Smith
Margaret Slate
Martin Narsing
Masood M. & Ilene Fleming
Matt Grimm
Michelle Young
Nora Begoray
Refine Renovations
Rhonda Newman
Ron & Cheryl Favell
Shawna Serniak
Shelly Tupper
Strathcona Rotary Club
Sue Trigg
Thim & Darlene Choy
*Many individual and corporate donors have supported through inkind or cash donations.
We are still accepting donations to add to the Project fund at the Edmonton Community Foundation
All donations are provided a tax receipt and will be recognized on our website donor page as above. Donations above $1,000 have the opportunity to be recognized on the wall at the Plaza in W. Hawrelak Park.