Memorial Drive trees

Running alongside the Bow River, Memorial Drive is one of the most scenic car and bike routes in Calgary, and the trees planted here serve as a living commemoration to the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Learn about the Landscape of Memory project.

After the First World War, a number of groups and individuals came together to plant a tree for each fallen soldier of the Great War. The hope was that a living memorial would bring solace to grieving families who did not have graves to visit. On May 11, 1922, the first tree was planted on Sunnyside Boulevard (now Memorial Drive), between ninth and nine-and-a-half St. N.W by Mayor Adams. Planting continued steadily through until 1928 and a grand total of 3,278 trees were planted.

As many of the original trees are nearing the end of their lifecycle, The City is spearheading the regeneration and revitalization of Memorial Drive. This plan will concentrate on improving the aesthetic value of the landscape by introducing a variety of new tree species, while protecting the existing legacy and continuing the historic, environmental and cultural integrity of Memorial Drive. The City is collaborating with external partners and interest groups –many of which have members who were involved in the original planting – to assist in developing the plan for the future of Memorial Drive.

The City will be removing trees on the north side of the Bow River as part of the Sunnyside Flood Barrier work.

The City of Calgary works to preserve as many trees as possible throughout construction, however we know it will be necessary to remove trees in various areas of the Parkway due to the health, species and locations of these trees. We are reviewing the tree proximity to construction activity to ensure long-term viability of the trees once construction is complete. Following this review, trees in poor condition or those negatively impacted by construction will be removed.

We are committed to repurposing and replanting trees whenever possible and are currently researching options. Current plans are to re-purpose the trees for bird and fish habitat, as well as to be implemented for use as construction materials. As a proactive measure, The City has also secured 150 new Memorial Trees from the nursery in Grand Forks, BC for replanting in various locations along the Parkway in the future.

The total number of impacted trees will be confirmed as the program team finalizes the design for the flood barrier in summer 2023.

Memorial Drive is one of Calgary’s most cherished corridors and must be protected and where possible enhanced. Given the area’s importance and the role of Memorial Drive and the river embankments as the home of the Living Memorial, The City recognized the opportunity to enhance the natural environment and public spaces along the corridor in conjunction with the upcoming construction of the Sunnyside Flood Barrier. This project provides an opportunity to build upon improvements to this area that have happened over the last 10 years and continue to enhance the entire public space surrounding Memorial Drive from 14th Street to Centre Street while adding critical flood protection.  

As part of this work, we are working with various Veterans associations and organizations in Calgary to plan improvements to memorial areas along the corridor. Through incorporating improved access, mobility and places to gather, we are working together to enhance community connections and introduce current and future generations to the importance and meaning of these memorial spaces.  

• Following the First World War, poplars were planted on either side of Sunnyside Boulevard (later renamed Memorial Drive) to commemorate soldiers killed during the war. This was part of a larger effort across Canada and other parts of the commonwealth to create Roads of Remembrance to memorialize the dead: “Future generations of Canadians will be reminded of the part that Canada played in the world’s fight for democracy …, not in ornate stone but in nature’s noblest gift to her people—the gift of trees such as no other country has.” (Canadian Municipal Journal, 1922). 
• The majority of trees planted from 1922 to 1928 were Populus woobstii – more commonly referred to as poplars. These poplars are now at, or nearing the end of their lifecycle.
• The trees are thought to be wild trees brought to Calgary by miners returning from Drumheller.
• In 1922, the trees were sold for $1.
• Metal discs were attached to stands in front of each tree. The discs were inscribed with the year, the donor's name and a tag number.
• In 1990, The Royal Canadian Legion and Calgary Parks Foundation planted 250 elm and ash trees between 10th Street N.W. and Crowchild Trail. The trees honoured veterans from the First and Second World Wars, as well as those killed during the Korean conflict (Calgary Heritage Authority, 2009). On Sept. 9, 1990, a ceremony to rededicate the Memorial trees took place. A plaque and memorial cairn were erected at the intersection of 10th Street N.W. and Memorial Drive. (Source: Calgary Heritage Authority, 2009. Calgary Historic Resource Evaluation Form Statement of Significance – Memorial Drive N.W.)
• By the early 2000s, many of the original memorial poplars across Memorial Drive were nearing the end of their life cycle. In 2001, to preserve the living memorial of the trees, The City harvested live cuttings from the remaining trees. They began propogating approximately 1500 cloned memorial trees at a tree farm in Grand Forks, B.C. 
• 150 of the cloned memorial trees have been secured for replanting. Replanting will follow construction of the Sunnyside Flood Barrier.
• All the poplar trees along Memorial Drive are female, but one. Female poplars bear the cotton .It provides food for ducks, carries tree seeds and provides nesting material for birds and animals.

At the 2003 Calgary Stampede, a commemorative poplar trunk from Memorial Drive was carved into the likeness of Sergeant George Ross Thompson, one of the fallen soldiers of the Great War. Sergeant Thompson enlisted in Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in August 1914 as a private soldier. He was killed in action by enemy machine gun fire on September 28, 1918 near Tilloy, France. Thompson died in the last hundred days of the war after serving in many of the Regiment's most difficult battles.

The City would like to thank the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition Board, the Royal Canadian Legion Centennial Calgary Branch #285 and Lynx Fencing for making this important commemoration possible.