Chinese Market Gardens
Chinese Market Gardens
Honouring and restoring a cultural landscape within the Inglewood Bird sanctuary.
Project overview
We’re transforming part of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary into a place where people can explore and learn about an important chapter of Calgary’s history.
From 1929 to 1952, Chinese immigrant families operated market gardens on this site, helping feed Calgary and support local businesses. This project will recognize their contributions while restoring native habitat and improving access to the area.
New pathways, interpretive displays and landscape features will help visitors discover the stories of the families who farmed the land. Native grasses and wildflowers will replace invasive plants and create healthier habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.
The Chinese Market Gardens project is restoring ecological health within a portion of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary while commemorating an important chapter of Calgary's history.
Key cultural storytelling features:
- Family markers: Steel markers will recognize the Chinese families who lived and worked on the land.
- Ghost structures: Open-frame structures and platforms will show where the greenhouse and root cellar once stood.
- Interpretive signage: Signs throughout the site will share the history of the area, including the stories of the families who farmed the land.
- Plantings: Native plants, organized in distinct colour blocks, will reflect the layout of the original market garden plots.
Benefits
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Learn about Calgary's history
Discover the stories of Chinese families who farmed this land and helped feed a growing city.
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Support local nature
Native plants will create a healthier habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.
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Improves community experience
Helps reduce wastewater-related odours in Valley Ridge, improving the experience for residents and park users.
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Connect with culture and nature
Experience a unique destination where local history and nature come together.
Project location
Ward: 9
Communities: Inglewood
Project phase
Latest updates
Construction is underway at the Chinese Market Gardens site. Here is what crews will be working on in the coming weeks:
- Preparing the site for new pathways, plants and project features
- Removing invasive weeds and improving the soil conditions
- Building a new accessible paved pathway
- Installing fencing to protect new plants from deer
- Planting a cover crop to protect the soil over winter
- Building a replica of the historic greenhouse and root cellar
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary remains open. Access from the Visitor Centre into the park will be maintained at all times.
Thank you for your patience as we work to create a healthier, more vibrant space for people and wildlife to enjoy.
Timeline
Image gallery
A rendering from the Bend in the Bow Master Plan from 2017, showing what a future Chinese market gardens could look like.
Aerial of historic Chinese Market Gardens
Rendering of the “ghost structure” frame that shows where a greenhouse once stood.
Outreach and engagement
Project planning built on the Bend in the Bow Design Development Plan and included ongoing collaboration with descendants of the Chinese Market Garden families. Their input helped shape how the project shares the site’s history and recognizes their contributions to Calgary.
Budget and funding
Estimated construction cost: $2.4 million
The project is funded by The City of Calgary’s Legacy Parks Program and the Centralized Climate Fund. The estimated construction cost is approximately $2.4 million.
Frequently asked questions
Why is The City investing in this project?
The project celebrates an important part of Calgary's history while improving accessibility, restoring native habitat, and creating new learning and recreation opportunities for learning and recreation.
What is the history behind this project?
This area has played an important role in Calgary's history. Before becoming part of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, it was home to Calgary's first sawmill and later to market gardens operated by Chinese immigrant families.
From 1929 to 1952, several families, including the Koo family, leased land from Colonel James Walker and supplied Calgarians with fresh produce and bedding plants. The project will share these stories through interpretive features, landscape elements, and markers that recognize historic structures and farming families.
Why aren’t vegetables being planted like the original gardens?
The area is now part of a federally-protected bird sanctuary where ecological health is a priority. Native plants provide a better habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife while helping restore biodiversity. The project will share the market garden story through interpretive features and the landscape design rather than crop production.
Will the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary remain open during construction?
Yes. Access from the Visitor Centre and the main pathway network will be maintained throughout construction. Some areas may be fenced off for safety or to help new plants grow.
Is Colonel Walker House part of this project?
Colonel Walker House is not part of the project. The project team is connecting two new pathways to the area near the house, but the plan does not include any restoration or renovation work on the building itself. The team originally considered updating the planting beds around the house, but removed this from the scope due to budget.
How will invasive plants be managed?
Invasive plants will be removed and managed before native grasses and wildflowers are planted. This work will help improve habitat quality and support a healthier, more diverse ecosystem.
Contact
Email: ChineseMarketGardens@calgary.ca
Contact: 311
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