Fairley Park Concept Design

Honouring Fairley Park’s Legacy While Designing for the Next Generation.

THE CHALLENGE

Fairley Park is being renewed to ensure it remains a safe, welcoming, and developmentally rich destination for toddlers and caregivers while continuing to honour its origins as a memorial created by the Firefighters Association. With the existing playground equipment and supporting amenities showing signs of aging, there is a need for replacement. However, recognizing that improvements have historically been made incrementally, the City initiated this project to establish a coordinated, long-term vision that can guide future upgrades in a comprehensive and coordinated way.

THE RESPONSE

MODUS delivered an engagement and design process to develop a concept design for the renewal and expansion of the park. Engagement included one-on-one interviews, a site visit and workshop, and public open house. Participants emphasized priorities of the toddler age group, shade, accessibility, and durability. The resulting concept design introduces inclusive, contemporary play elements, enhanced pathways, expanded shade and seating, nature-play features, as well as a long term potential park expansion toward the established active transportation trail. Together, these improvements create a long term vision with a variety of amenities that will continue to support families into the future.

Client

City of Merritt

Collaborators

Matthew Thomson Design

Calum Srigley