Ciry of Edmonton opens Karen Leibovici Park

(AJNews) – Last month saw the official opening of the City of Edmonton’s Karen Leibovici Park honouring her outstanding leadership and community spirit. Karen was born in Montreal to Jewish immigrant parents who instilled in her the values of fairness, hard work, and tikkun olam (repairing the world).

Raised in a working-class neighborhood of Outremont, she became active early in school life and social justice issues, with her first exposure to leadership through student politics. While studying social work at McGill University, Leibovici became involved with the local Jewish Community Centre, organizing around poverty, equity, and labour rights. These formative experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to advocacy, both within the Jewish community and the broader public sphere.

After moving to Edmonton in 1980, she remained deeply engaged in civic and community life, including long-time involvement with Jewish organizations. She has been a visible and vocal advocate for human rights, inclusion, and public service, values rooted in her Jewish upbringing.

A four-term Edmonton City Councillor and former MLA for Edmonton Meadowlark, Leibovici was instrumental in leading a variety of City of Edmonton initiatives including the Transforming Edmonton initiative, the Centre for Public Involvement, the Affordable Housing Strategy, the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness, among others. She was involved in the creation of the City Hall School and worked hard to promote the establishment of Big Island Provincial Park.

Leibovici was a strong advocate for the needs of her constituency in the former Wards 1 and 5. She fought to prevent the operation of a gravel pit along the North Saskatchewan River, and for the retention of natural areas in Edmonton. Leibovici was a President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and a Chair of the FCM Green Municipal Fund.

Through her years living in Edmonton, Leibovici has been involved in many nonprofit organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Concordia University and Events Edmonton. She also served as the vice-chair of the Civilian Review and Complaint Commission for the RCMP and as a board member at Canada Energy Regulator.

Among her many leadership roles, she was honoured by Beth Israel Synagogue for her public service and continues to champion Jewish community development. She currently serves as Chair of the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) Redevelopment Steering Committee, guiding the revitalization of this vital institution for future generations.

Karen’s life has been defined by service, guided by Jewish values, and grounded in a commitment to building a more just, inclusive, and vibrant community. On behalf of the Jewish community, we extend a hearty Mazal Tov and Yasher Koach for this well-deserved honour.

“Yesterday was one of those unforgettable moments – the kind that turn into memories you hold onto forever,” said Karen. “I’m incredibly honoured (and still overwhelmed) that a park has been named in my honour. We marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, surrounded by community, friends, and so much love. Life is made up of moments like these – and those moments shape us. Parks give those memories room to grow. As our cities get busier and more dense, these spaces become even more vital – places to breathe, connect, play, and simply be.

“I hope this park becomes that kind of space for everyone – filled with joy, laughter, and reflection. A place where new memories are made.

“To everyone who nominated me and to all those who came out to celebrate – thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your presence made the day even more meaningful. And special thanks to Paul Allard and Adam Zepp for their support and commitment to the community.”