LEGACY PLACE ACRES TRIBUTE MEMORIAL GARDEN FOR FIRST RESPONDERS, VETERANS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL

Legacy Place Society is a not for profit and registered charity based in Alberta. Our mission is to provide empathetic support that fosters resiliency within the individuals and families of the First Responder, Veteran and Military community. Through confidential transitional housing, a confidential crisis phone line and education partnerships that support the mental wellness of our individuals and families. By addressing the unique challenges faced by this community of personnel, Legacy Place Society creates pathways for connection, renewal and personal growth.
Legacy Place Acres in an innovative rural location designed to holistically be used as a trusted nature centered day use property where first responders, veterans and military personnel come to experience nature based perspectives that help heal and connect them in various ways. Research highlights the profound benefits of outdoor activities in nature for psychological wellness and rehabilitation benefiting the entire family.
The project cost is approximately 3.5 million for phase one - purchase the 120 acres, refresh the flooring, wall painting and ceilings in the 25 yr old main building. Phase two will be an additional cost of $1.25 million - it will be to establish a barn and redesign of the landscape area for the tribute memorial garden. To date, funding sources and private donations have reached $2.6 million for phase one. Together we encourage you to help us raise the remaining $900,000 for phase one and the $1.25 million for phase two.
Legacy Place Acres - Our why... at its core, Legacy Place Acres is about taking care of those who take care of us. By providing a tranquil rural environment packed with resources and opportunities for healing, we ensure that first responders, veterans, military personnel and their families get the support they need and deserve. When they can rest, recharge and reconnect, they return to their roles stronger and more focused, benefitting their loved ones, peers and the entire community.
A SAFE PLACE TO HEAL Legacy Place Society has been providing crisis support, confidential housing and wellness programs since 1997. We've seen first hand how crucial "getting away from it all" can be especially for those under constant high stress. Urban environments can be noisy and distracting, leaving little room for reflection or calm. Legacy Place Acres offers this peaceful rural setting 3km North of Calgary city limits and 2km West of Airdrie city limits where nature itself has become a powerful tool for mental and emotional recovery.
NATURE-CENTERED WELLNESS From lowering stress and anxiety to boosting overall feelings of happiness, time spent outdoors has proven benefits for mental health. Surrounded by 100 acres of crop land, open skies, majestic views of the rocky mountains, and tranquil spaces, individuals can begin to breathe easier and process difficult experiences without the pressure of city life. Whether it's a walk through the woods, a moment of quiet at the memorial garden, or an informal conversation with a colleague, Legacy Place Acres harnesses the healing power of nature to help first responders and military members find peace and re-center.
FAMILY-FOCUSED AND CONFIDENTIAL Family members often share the burden of their loved ones' high-pressure duties whether they realize it or not. Legacy Place Acres is designed for entire families to come together in a supportive setting, away from the everyday hustle and potential stigmas of seeking help. While our established Legacy Place Houses remain confidential for transitional living, the Legacy Place Acres rural property offers a visible, welcoming location for you, your family, or colleagues. This combination of anonymity and secure public access means that individuals and families can engage in wellness activities comfortably, without fear or hesitation.
A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Beyond serving those on the front lines, Legacy Place Acres offers the broader public a chance to give back and stand in solidarity with the people who protect and serve. Community members can donate time, resources, or expertise, and in return, they witness the direct impact: stronger families, healthier first responders, and safer neighborhoods. Volunteers might help tend the grounds, participate in pre-approved family-centered events, or simply take in the beautiful rural environment. Each contribution, big or small, helps solidify Legacy Place Acres as a long-term pillar of resilience and essential support to the First Responder, Veteran, and Military community.
Through our work at Legacy Place Society, we've come to see firsthand the profound difference that connection, nature, and community can make in the lives of first responders, military personnel, and their families. Research tells us that roughly one-third of Canadians experience a weak sense of community belonging-an experience often magnified for those tasked with protecting and serving others. Long hours, shifting schedules, and exposure to stressful or traumatic events can isolate them from the very communities they dedicate themselves to keeping safe.
Belonging is vital to both our mental and physical well-being. It's about feeling seen, heard, and supported knowing that we are part of something larger than ourselves. In creating Legacy Place Acres, we're choosing to meet this fundamental need head-on. We envision the Acres as a rural sanctuary: a place where the pressures of service and everyday life can momentarily fall away, replaced by the healing calm of nature and the warmth of human connection.
Picture families gathering around outdoor tables to share a meal together or children discovering the wonder of garden paths lined with flowers. Imagine the solace of a quiet walk beneath the trees, where even just a knowing nod from a fellow first responder can ease a heavy burden. Legacy Place Acres seeks to make these moments common and accessible to foster genuine belonging in a world that can too easily feel disconnected.
This concept isn't new; it's steeped in the wisdom of longstanding community traditions. Consider the community freezer in Nunavik, where neighbors contribute what they can and take only what they need- a self-sustaining circle of trust and collective care. We are inspired by this model of giving and receiving, one that values the collective and the individual. At Legacy Place Acres, we want to mirror that spirit of reciprocity: a place where volunteers, donors, and the individuals we serve join together to cultivate resilience, share resources, and nurture hope.
Belonging is not a checkbox to be ticked or a goal that's ever fully "done." It's felt in every moment of shared laughter, in the soil turned by many hands, and in the quiet reassurance of a friend who understands your struggles without saying a word. Legacy Place Acres is about creating these moments of deep human connection, weaving together nature's restorative power with our unshakable belief that no one should walk this path alone.