Explore some of McElhanney’s trail, tourism, recreation, and parks projects below. For McElhanney’s full range of services, visit our main portfolio page here.
McElhanney’s in house web mapping platform, Vertisee, was used to host all of the relevant project information including current and historical assets, orthophoto, LiDAR and field crew assessments.
McElhanney designed and implemented a mobile field program and desktop conversion of various data sources to update Metro Vancouver Regional District’s spatial database of all assets owned and maintained by the Parks department.
With the Malahat Corridor Improvement Project, the BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure has been improving the safety of Hwy 1 by installing a median barrier and other upgrades. The stretch of highway which runs through Goldstream Provincial Park is challenging to design solutions for, as it is constrained by the river immediately running next to it, and by park lands on both sides.
Working closely with the town, McElhanney proposed new designs for these parks that will add a fresh sense of place to the community and give residents spaces where they can relax and reconnect with nature.
McElhanney, along with subconsultants Level Playing Field and Ron Wickman Architect, developed the Accessibility Construction Guidelines for Alberta Environment and Parks. The manual prescribes how to reduce barriers for challenged populations, giving them equal access to the splendor of Alberta’s parks.
Badlands Parkway is in Grasslands National Park, a unique and sensitive habitat, boasting breathtaking views and stunning hiking trails. Parks Canada Agency challenged McElhanney to design a parkway that would allow access to the attractions, while minimizing impacts to the wildlife and overall ecosystem.
McElhanney assisted the Prince Rupert Rotary Club with the reconstruction of Rushbrook Trail in 2017.
Over the past decade, comfort camping, known to many as ‘glamping’, has become increasingly popular as people seek out comforts not offered by traditional tent camping.
The Parks Canada Campground manual forms the foundation for developmental standard and design guides for existing and new campgrounds. With the original manual created in 1972 and last updated in 1992, Parks Canada needed a new edition for modern visitors. McElhanney was given the opportunity to update and develop the manual to guide the renewal of campgrounds and associated facilities throughout Canada’s national parks.
Design Scenarios for Okanagan Falls Town Centre 2016 | Okanagan Falls, BC – Okanagan Falls is located at the south end of Skaha Lake in BC. A private landowner and commercial real estate developer hired McElhanney to design alternative concepts for the community’s town centre.
Jasper Tramway Upgrades 2012 | Jasper SkyTram whisks people to 2300m elevation, providing access to boardwalks and hiking trails to the summit of Whistler’s Mountain. What started out as an upgrade design for the tram’s braking system has turned into a long-term relationship between McElhanney and the owners.
High Rockies Trail Completed in 2017, this approximately 80 km portion of the Trans Canada Trail connects the Elk Valley of British Columbia to Banff National Park, and offers breath-taking views of the Rocky Mountains. The Trail accommodates a wide variety of uses (biking, hiking, skiing, etc.) along its length.
Glenbow Ranch Park, AB – The Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park Management Plan will be the premier guidance document for the park’s future. McElhanney’s plan addresses the park’s existing problems while developing an overall vision for the future.
The City of Calgary retained McElhanney to complete a public washroom study along the City’s regional pathways. The project was designed to increase the quality of experience through available, accessible, clean, and safe public washroom facilities.
Winner of the 2016 APPI Design award, McElhanney’s Bragg Creek revitalization plan developed a clear vision for the Hamlet of Bragg Creek. After the 2013 flood, the residents needed to rebuild their thriving economy.
Banff, AB – To commemorate the 125 the anniversary of Banff National Park in 2010, Parks Canada commissioned the Banff Legacy Trail, a 22.3 km paved trail stretching from the Town of Banff to Banff National Park’s east gate.
The existing Anniversary Park site was in need of an upgrade for a multitude of reasons. The previous park wasn’t formally developed and the limited infrastructure was near the end of its lifecycle.
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