Parkvale Community Association

Barrett Park runs along Parkvale's east side. It is a beautiful park, some say the nicest in Red Deer, with open fields and the winding Waskasoo Creek along the evergreen escarpment. 

The idyllic natural setting is reminiscent of Red Deer 's early days, an era when Ed Barrett - a long-time city mayor and this park's namesake - first arrived in the small prairie town.

The teenage Ed Barrett came to Red Deer with his parents in 1918. Soon after, he became the meat delivery boy for the Alberta Meat Market. Barrett worked at the butcher shop for many years, and he was known for his friendly personality and good business sense - important qualities for when he eventually took over the market in 1953.

Barrett became an alderman in 1961 and retired from the meat business three years later.He ran for mayor in 1965 and held this position for nine years. he was also an active volunteer; he and his wife, Jessie, dedicated themselves to the community they loved. Ed Barrett led the movement in Parkvale to stop multi-family developments in the late 1970s which led to the birth of the Parkvale Community Association in 1980.

The Parkvale Community Association has participated in the City of Red Deer's Green Deer program since it's inception. Up to 30 volunteers come out in the spring to clean up Barrett Park for another summer season. The good news is that every year, our park is cleaner.