The final workshop of Women in Urbanism Canada’s ‘Creating Gender Inclusive Public Parks’ three-part series is focused on ‘Gender-Based Placemaking at Edworthy Park’.
This workshop is hosted by Women in Urbanism Canada’s Board Member, Varvara Belenko, and features presentations and Q&A with expert Calgary-based speakers:
Michelle James (she/her), MPH, Public Policy Specialist at the Women’s Centre of Calgary
Michelle is a settler living, working, learning and playing in Calgary (Moh’kinsstis) within Treaty 7 territory and the traditional lands of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani and Kainai), TsuuT’ina and Îyârhe Nakoda (Goodstoney, Bearspaw and Chiniki) First Nations, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta Region III. Michelle is a passionate public health professional and has over 10 years of experience working with equity analysis and decolonized public policy, social services, and evaluation methodologies in diverse settings, including the District of Squamish, Miskanawah Community Services Association, the World Health Organization, and presently the Women’s Centre of Calgary. In her current role, Michelle develops and analyzes social policy solutions through community-driven GBA+ and equity lenses by engaging with the diverse community of women served through the Women’s Centre every day. Michelle holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Victoria, where she specialized in Social Policy. When not at work, Michelle can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with her two young children and is a volunteer member of the City of Calgary’s Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee.
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Afrin Islam (she/her), B.Arch, MLA Candidate at the University of Calgary, CSLA-AALA Student Member
Afrin, a native of Bangladesh, is pursuing a master's degree in landscape architecture at the University of Calgary. She completed her bachelor’s in architecture and volunteered in different humanitarian work in her country. Her passion for architecture, landscape, environment, and public realm design has consistently provided her with opportunities to engage in diverse research projects both at home and abroad. Inspired by her father's role as a freedom fighter, she aims to serve others and design inclusive spaces that enhance the emotional connection between people and their surroundings and bring positive changes in the urban environment. Afrin actively volunteers for the design and research of pollinator-friendly planters on campus as part of the UofC Avant Garden team. She gained hands-on experience working on a project for child-friendly streetscapes in Calgary's urban context as an intern with Sustainable Calgary. Afrin also fosters a sense of community among students through collaboration with the SAPL Student Association, while also enjoying her cultural celebrations, eco-friendly crafting, and spending time with family and plants.
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The session focuses on Edworthy Park, a 169 hectare park located in southwest Calgary, bordered by the Bow River and the community of Wildwood. The park includes the Douglas Fir Trail and Lawrey Gardens, with amenities such as an off-leash dog park, native grasslands, paved pathways, picnic sites and shelters, and accessible playgrounds.