More Than a Place to Visit: Calgary's Dementia-Friendly Spaces

From parks designed with dementia in mind to welcoming community programs, Calgary is making room for everyone.

A walk in the park. An afternoon trying something new. A conversation over coffee.

These everyday experiences help us feel connected to our communities, and a dementia diagnosis shouldn't mean leaving them behind.

For people living with dementia, familiar activities and social connections can continue to bring joy, purpose, and a sense of belonging. But sometimes, the spaces around us aren't designed with everyone's needs in mind.

The good news? Calgary is home to a growing number of initiatives working to change that.

From Canada's first dementia-inclusive park to recreation programs and community gatherings, here are a few local spaces and initiatives helping make Calgary a more welcoming place for people living with dementia and those who support them.

1. Martin Family Legacy Garden: Canada's First Dementia-Inclusive Park

Imagine a park where every pathway, garden, and gathering space has been thoughtfully designed to help people living with dementia feel comfortable, confident, and included.

That's the idea behind the Martin Family Legacy Garden.

Officially opened on September 21, 2026, in Calgary's southeast community of Dover, this first-of-its-kind public park was created to make outdoor experiences more accessible for people living with dementia, their families, and the wider community.

Developed by Parks Foundation Calgary in collaboration with Alzheimer Calgary and other community partners, the park brings together research, thoughtful design, and the experiences of people impacted by dementia.

Visitors will find wide, colour-coded pathways, clear wayfinding signage, sensory gardens, shaded seating areas, and an intergenerational playground where families can spend time together.

These features help create an environment that's easier to navigate while encouraging movement, exploration, and social connection.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the park is that it isn't exclusively for people living with dementia. It's a shared community space where everyone is welcome.

The Martin Family Legacy Garden is an exciting example of what can happen when we rethink how public spaces are designed and who they're designed for.

Location: Southview Park, 3425 26 Avenue SE, Calgary

Learn more: Explore the Martin Family Legacy Garden

2. City of Calgary Recreation: Staying Active, Your Way

Whether it's painting, exercising, or trying a new hobby, recreation can be a wonderful way to stay engaged with the world around us.

The City of Calgary offers a variety of dementia-inclusive recreation programs designed to make these experiences more accessible.

Participants can explore activities such as art, balance and strength classes, and indoor golf, with programs adapted to different abilities, interests, and comfort levels.

Classes are led by trained staff and volunteers who understand the importance of patience, flexibility, and individualized support. Smaller group sizes also allow participants to connect with others in a comfortable setting.

Care partners are welcome to join many activities, creating opportunities to share experiences and enjoy time together.

These programs recognize something important: staying active isn't about doing everything the way you used to. It's about finding meaningful ways to keep doing what you enjoy.

Learn more: Explore the City of Calgary's Dementia Programs

3. Conversation Cafés: A Place to Connect

Sometimes, all it takes is a good conversation to feel a little more connected.

Dementia Network Calgary's Conversation Cafés create welcoming opportunities for people living with dementia, their families, friends, and care partners to come together.

Founded in 2017, these gatherings offer a relaxed environment where people can meet others, share experiences, and enjoy meaningful conversations.

Unlike more structured support programs, Conversation Cafés focus on social connection and community. There's no pressure to share anything you're not comfortable with. You can simply show up, enjoy the company, and participate in a way that feels right for you.

Some gatherings also take place outdoors, including Walk n' Talk events in Calgary's parks.

For people who may be experiencing changes in their social routines following a dementia diagnosis, opportunities like these can help make staying connected feel a little easier.

Learn more: Find a Conversation Café

4. Calgary Public Library: More Than Books

Libraries have always been places to learn, explore, and connect. But they're also important community gathering spaces.

Calgary Public Library offers a variety of accessible programs and social activities that encourage people of different ages and abilities to participate in community life.

One example is the Seniors Drop-In Social Club, a welcoming program for adults aged 55 and older to enjoy conversations, games, activities, and the company of others.

While these gatherings aren't specifically designed for people living with dementia, they reflect the importance of creating opportunities for older adults to remain socially active and engaged.

For someone living with dementia, participating in familiar community activities may offer opportunities to maintain routines, explore interests, and enjoy time with others.

It's always worth contacting the library in advance to discuss individual accessibility or support needs.

Learn more: Explore Calgary Public Library Programs

What Makes a Space Dementia-Friendly?

Not every dementia-friendly space looks the same.

Some are purpose-built environments, like the Martin Family Legacy Garden. Others are everyday community spaces that make thoughtful adjustments to help people feel more comfortable and included.

A dementia-friendly environment might include clear signage, easy-to-navigate layouts, quieter areas, flexible activities, or staff who understand how to support someone experiencing cognitive changes.

But accessibility goes beyond physical design.

It's also about how people are welcomed, spoken to, and included.

Something as simple as allowing extra time to respond, offering a little patience, or adapting an activity to someone's abilities can help make an experience more positive.

And these changes don't just benefit people living with dementia. They can help create more welcoming spaces for older adults, people with disabilities, families, and the community as a whole.

A More Inclusive Calgary Starts With All of Us

The places we visit shape how we experience our communities.

They give us opportunities to connect with others, discover new interests, maintain routines, and enjoy the everyday moments that make life meaningful.

For people living with dementia, those opportunities matter just as much.

Initiatives like the Martin Family Legacy Garden, adapted recreation programs, and community gatherings show what's possible when accessibility and inclusion become part of how we think about our shared spaces.

And while there's always more work to be done, every thoughtful change helps build a community where more people can participate, connect, and feel that they belong.

Because living with dementia shouldn't mean living apart from your community.

Stay Connected With Your Community

Looking for more opportunities to connect, find support, or discover what's happening around Calgary?

StillMe is here to help you stay informed, explore local resources, and continue engaging with the community around you. Sign up today to stay informed and connected to what matters most.

‍