About Simon F. Scott Memorial Park
Simon F. Scott Memorial Park is located in the neighbourhood of Meadowlands. This park is named after Simon F. Scott who founded S.F. Scott Manufacturing Co. Ltd., producers of Blue Imp playground equipment. Family-owned for four generations, Blue Imp is proud to be Canada’s most experienced manufacturer of playground equipment, commercial playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, park furniture and more.
Their roots go back to 1917 when Simon F. Scott founded a blacksmith shop. This humble operation has evolved to become Canada’s longest-standing maker of playground and park equipment. Now into their second century of operation, they continue to design and craft a vast array of playground and park products at their headquarters in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
About the project
As residents of the Simon F. Scott Memorial Park area, we are asking for your input in developing a concept for the upcoming upgrade of your neighbourhood park! This project will not see construction until late fall 2025 or spring 2026, so there is plenty of time to consult with the neighbourhood on preferences for the upgrades.
Your feedback will help us to deliver a park that provides the best balance between the City's goals and your vision of the park as the primary users.
These goals make up our upgrade philosophy for parks around the city:
- fiscal responsibility
- reducing water usage
- increasing park utilization
- improving accessibility
Please take some time to view the information on this page.
Survey results
In December 2024, promotion of the survey and upgrade project began in the neighbourhood. This included presentations to facilities and neighbourhood boards as well as mailers to the 1,000 residents surrounding the park. Residents were asked to complete a brief survey online, in person, or over the phone to understand neighbourhood preferences for upgrade options.
Results of the survey are available to read here.
A summary of the survey results show:
🐾 The trails are used often, and the greenspace is used most often as an off-leash area for dogs. The playground is less used though still used.
🤾♀️ Most respondents preferred a recreation-themed playground to replace the current playground. The current playground is at end of life, this is the primary driving factor for its replacement. Additionally, Simon F. Scott Memorial Park is named after the founder of the local company, Blue Imp. Blue Imp is Canada’s leading playground manufacturer. A partnership with this company is being explored for the playground replacement.
🏋️♂️💺 Most residents were supportive to the idea of the fitness equipment stations within the park. Bocce ball and horseshoes were the most popular additional amenity choices. There was strong support for additional seating and a shaded area for family picnics and gatherings. Seating should accommodate accessibility needs. Suggestions to consider sun and wind so that there are a range of options available.
🌾 Drought resistance fescue grass was supported by most people. Pollinator habitat was seconded, however, one resident emailed to say they were allergic to pollinators.
💡 A small majority indicated they preferred no lighting or “as is.” If lighting were to be installed, most thought this should be along the trail with the playground being second. Given this was a mixed response, low-impact lighting in select locations might be best tolerated. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles show that bright strategically placed lighting actively deters criminal/vagrant activity, which was brought up as a concern for some especially related to the seating and shade areas.
♿ Additional comments around accessibility and safety included: a ramp on Vintage Meadows Place; additional seating throughout the park for rest stops; a cross walk to Park Meadows Estates; safer and/or additional parking; and traffic calming. Public washrooms were a suggestion for accommodating older adults in the area. There was concern that the current park was not kept up and many felt that maintenance was important.
Conceptual design
On April 16, 2025, we hosted an open house at Park Meadows Estates where we shared the
first conceptual drawing for the park upgrade at S.F. Scott Memorial Park. This conceptual design is at a 30% design phase, which means there is ample opportunity for change. For those who could not attend the in-person open house, we had a survey open until May 14, 2025.
The feedback we received from the open house and the survey (regarding the first conceptual design below) can be read in this
What We Heard report. This What We Heard report will be used by the design team to make adjustments to the design. We will then present a second design for more detailed refinement.
Final design
From the open house and What We Heard report, we learned from the community the things that most needed to change with the previous concept. The designers used this information to come up with a
revised and final design. We are now near the final design with technical drawings that allow for small tweaks only. These technical drawings are less colourful than the conceptual drawings, so we apologize if you find them hard to read.
We have summarized the key changes you requested and how they were changed in the new design in this one pager and below. Read the August to September 2025
survey results.
🤾♀️ Playground The playground has been moved to a more central location. A detailed playground design will be forthcoming near the end of 2025.
🏋️♂️ Fitness equipment The fitness equipment has been moved to more central location.
💺 Seating and shade area The seating and shade area has been moved to a central location next to a wide open space and near the lit trail for increased safety and crime prevention. Many benches have been added throughout the park for additional seating, as requested.
🌾 🐾 Landscaping The north side of the park now has shrubs instead of trees to reflect requests that neighbours’ view of the park not be obstructed. The entry way now features shrubs (as well as trees) to maintain clear sight lines. Two trail entrances were removed to maintain the privacy and security of the residential areas. The third trail located in the northwest corner of the park was adjusted for better accessibility and alignment. Following consultation with the city arborist, the mulch beds will remain. Mulch provides additional nutrients while being light enough to not damage root systems. There are two flower beds at the South-west entrance. The tree types and spacing ensure good sightlines throughout the park for safety.
💡 Lighting We have noted a preference for lighting along the trails and for a safe-feeling park. The lighting design will be both CPTED and Dark Skies compliant, providing a safe trail system for evening use while minimizing glare and light intrusion into bordering properties. The design for lighting will be shared in September.
👋 Main entry design The main entry will have a circular bench with an electric gas lamp in the middle and a plaque mounted to explain why the park is named after Simon F. Scott.
Who is involved
This is a project page for the 1,000 or so houses that surround Simon F. Scott Memorial Park as well as any additional users of the park. To sign up for our contact list, please email participate@medicinehat.ca, call 403-529-8258, or use the link below.
The actions we hope to take together
Read through the materials on this page to fully inform yourself about the project
Use the tools below to share your input
Show up online or in person to build a park we believe in
Appreciate the need for compromise to move forward as a community
Agree to engage in a constructive way
We will be evaluating our engagement process. We are open to feedback along the way as we work through this together. You may email participate@medicinehat.ca with any comments or concerns.
What exactly do you have the power to influence
We want to hear from you! Please keep in mind that we are balancing feedback from all local residents who participate in this project. Your input will help us discover the most popular ideas for the park!
Share what activities you enjoy and where they happen in the park. This will guide us in placing trails, turf, trees, and drought-resistant landscaping options.
Tell us your preferences for alternative landscaping options. This will help us understand neighbourhood preferences for drought resistant alternative landscaping options (in addition to turf) as well as the best locations for this type of landscaping.
Options for the playground and amenities you would like to see in the park. The information you provide will help us to determine which amenity options are most supported.
Give us your thoughts on park lighting. Lighting impacts everyone differently. Your input will help us create a lighting solution that suits your community's needs.
Don't miss out on shaping the future of your park! Sign up for the contact list by filling out the form, emailing participate@medicinehat.ca, or calling 403-529-8258.
How can you get involved?
About Simon F. Scott Memorial Park
Simon F. Scott Memorial Park is located in the neighbourhood of Meadowlands. This park is named after Simon F. Scott who founded S.F. Scott Manufacturing Co. Ltd., producers of Blue Imp playground equipment. Family-owned for four generations, Blue Imp is proud to be Canada’s most experienced manufacturer of playground equipment, commercial playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment, park furniture and more.
Their roots go back to 1917 when Simon F. Scott founded a blacksmith shop. This humble operation has evolved to become Canada’s longest-standing maker of playground and park equipment. Now into their second century of operation, they continue to design and craft a vast array of playground and park products at their headquarters in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
About the project
As residents of the Simon F. Scott Memorial Park area, we are asking for your input in developing a concept for the upcoming upgrade of your neighbourhood park! This project will not see construction until late fall 2025 or spring 2026, so there is plenty of time to consult with the neighbourhood on preferences for the upgrades.
Your feedback will help us to deliver a park that provides the best balance between the City's goals and your vision of the park as the primary users.
These goals make up our upgrade philosophy for parks around the city:
- fiscal responsibility
- reducing water usage
- increasing park utilization
- improving accessibility
Please take some time to view the information on this page.
Survey results
In December 2024, promotion of the survey and upgrade project began in the neighbourhood. This included presentations to facilities and neighbourhood boards as well as mailers to the 1,000 residents surrounding the park. Residents were asked to complete a brief survey online, in person, or over the phone to understand neighbourhood preferences for upgrade options.
Results of the survey are available to read here.
A summary of the survey results show:
🐾 The trails are used often, and the greenspace is used most often as an off-leash area for dogs. The playground is less used though still used.
🤾♀️ Most respondents preferred a recreation-themed playground to replace the current playground. The current playground is at end of life, this is the primary driving factor for its replacement. Additionally, Simon F. Scott Memorial Park is named after the founder of the local company, Blue Imp. Blue Imp is Canada’s leading playground manufacturer. A partnership with this company is being explored for the playground replacement.
🏋️♂️💺 Most residents were supportive to the idea of the fitness equipment stations within the park. Bocce ball and horseshoes were the most popular additional amenity choices. There was strong support for additional seating and a shaded area for family picnics and gatherings. Seating should accommodate accessibility needs. Suggestions to consider sun and wind so that there are a range of options available.
🌾 Drought resistance fescue grass was supported by most people. Pollinator habitat was seconded, however, one resident emailed to say they were allergic to pollinators.
💡 A small majority indicated they preferred no lighting or “as is.” If lighting were to be installed, most thought this should be along the trail with the playground being second. Given this was a mixed response, low-impact lighting in select locations might be best tolerated. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles show that bright strategically placed lighting actively deters criminal/vagrant activity, which was brought up as a concern for some especially related to the seating and shade areas.
♿ Additional comments around accessibility and safety included: a ramp on Vintage Meadows Place; additional seating throughout the park for rest stops; a cross walk to Park Meadows Estates; safer and/or additional parking; and traffic calming. Public washrooms were a suggestion for accommodating older adults in the area. There was concern that the current park was not kept up and many felt that maintenance was important.
Conceptual design
On April 16, 2025, we hosted an open house at Park Meadows Estates where we shared the
first conceptual drawing for the park upgrade at S.F. Scott Memorial Park. This conceptual design is at a 30% design phase, which means there is ample opportunity for change. For those who could not attend the in-person open house, we had a survey open until May 14, 2025.
The feedback we received from the open house and the survey (regarding the first conceptual design below) can be read in this
What We Heard report. This What We Heard report will be used by the design team to make adjustments to the design. We will then present a second design for more detailed refinement.
Final design
From the open house and What We Heard report, we learned from the community the things that most needed to change with the previous concept. The designers used this information to come up with a
revised and final design. We are now near the final design with technical drawings that allow for small tweaks only. These technical drawings are less colourful than the conceptual drawings, so we apologize if you find them hard to read.
We have summarized the key changes you requested and how they were changed in the new design in this one pager and below. Read the August to September 2025
survey results.
🤾♀️ Playground The playground has been moved to a more central location. A detailed playground design will be forthcoming near the end of 2025.
🏋️♂️ Fitness equipment The fitness equipment has been moved to more central location.
💺 Seating and shade area The seating and shade area has been moved to a central location next to a wide open space and near the lit trail for increased safety and crime prevention. Many benches have been added throughout the park for additional seating, as requested.
🌾 🐾 Landscaping The north side of the park now has shrubs instead of trees to reflect requests that neighbours’ view of the park not be obstructed. The entry way now features shrubs (as well as trees) to maintain clear sight lines. Two trail entrances were removed to maintain the privacy and security of the residential areas. The third trail located in the northwest corner of the park was adjusted for better accessibility and alignment. Following consultation with the city arborist, the mulch beds will remain. Mulch provides additional nutrients while being light enough to not damage root systems. There are two flower beds at the South-west entrance. The tree types and spacing ensure good sightlines throughout the park for safety.
💡 Lighting We have noted a preference for lighting along the trails and for a safe-feeling park. The lighting design will be both CPTED and Dark Skies compliant, providing a safe trail system for evening use while minimizing glare and light intrusion into bordering properties. The design for lighting will be shared in September.
👋 Main entry design The main entry will have a circular bench with an electric gas lamp in the middle and a plaque mounted to explain why the park is named after Simon F. Scott.
Who is involved
This is a project page for the 1,000 or so houses that surround Simon F. Scott Memorial Park as well as any additional users of the park. To sign up for our contact list, please email participate@medicinehat.ca, call 403-529-8258, or use the link below.
The actions we hope to take together
Read through the materials on this page to fully inform yourself about the project
Use the tools below to share your input
Show up online or in person to build a park we believe in
Appreciate the need for compromise to move forward as a community
Agree to engage in a constructive way
We will be evaluating our engagement process. We are open to feedback along the way as we work through this together. You may email participate@medicinehat.ca with any comments or concerns.
What exactly do you have the power to influence
We want to hear from you! Please keep in mind that we are balancing feedback from all local residents who participate in this project. Your input will help us discover the most popular ideas for the park!
Share what activities you enjoy and where they happen in the park. This will guide us in placing trails, turf, trees, and drought-resistant landscaping options.
Tell us your preferences for alternative landscaping options. This will help us understand neighbourhood preferences for drought resistant alternative landscaping options (in addition to turf) as well as the best locations for this type of landscaping.
Options for the playground and amenities you would like to see in the park. The information you provide will help us to determine which amenity options are most supported.
Give us your thoughts on park lighting. Lighting impacts everyone differently. Your input will help us create a lighting solution that suits your community's needs.
Don't miss out on shaping the future of your park! Sign up for the contact list by filling out the form, emailing participate@medicinehat.ca, or calling 403-529-8258.
How can you get involved?
SF Scott_Survey_Feb 26 25_combined with emails and summary_Redacted (2.6 MB) (pdf)
