Following the vision set forth in strategic planning direction, the City of Edmonton has been aggressive in acquiring and redeveloping public parks within the downtown as a means to catalyze urban development, economic vibrancy, and a sense of place and joy within the city centre. The investment and foresight Edmonton has had in expropriating and purchasing new park space, as well as renewing existing parks, all to the highest standard of landscape design as possible, provides key insights to urban centres all across Canada who are, with few exceptions, struggling to provide adequate and high quality public spaces in the face of increasing urban intensification and sustained, increased demand for public parks following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.