Right to left: Hillary Zaharko, Mike Henry, Minister Tanya Fir, Former Mayor Jyoti Gondek, and Former Concillior Gian-Carlo Carra. Taken at the groundbreaking of Martin Family Legacy Garden, 2025.
For the past six years, Mike has volunteered his time with Parks Foundation Calgary, serving first as a board member and now as Chair of the Board of Directors. His connection to this work runs through two of the things that have shaped his life the most: community sport and the power of volunteers who show up for others.
“Sports and volunteering have always been a big part of my life,” Mike says. “When I saw how Parks Foundation invests in amateur sport and the grassroots community, it immediately clicked for me. I wanted to be part of creating more ways for people to be active.”
That spark led him to the board table. What keeps him “ignited” is seeing how Parks Foundation projects change daily life in Calgary’s neighbourhoods.
Why parks feel personal
“Parks are where our family resets,” he says. “In the summer, the Mattamy Greenway is our favourite ‘park’ – we use it to bike and explore the city. And we often plan evenings and weekends around visiting different parks as our destination. It’s an easy (and inexpensive) way to be outside together.”
That view aligns closely with Parks Foundation’s vision of creating spaces that support wellbeing, connection, and moments of joy.
“What keeps me ignited is seeing how Parks Foundation directly improves Calgary’s livability. You see it in the partnerships we build, the thought that goes into the parks we create, and the community associations and sport groups we’re able to support. The impact we have – especially given our size- is genuinely inspiring.”
A park that reflects what’s possible
Among all the projects Parks Foundation has helped bring to life, one that stands out for Mike is the Martin Family Legacy Garden – Canada’s first dementia‑inclusive park.
“It reflects the thoughtfulness, innovation, and impact Parks Foundation can deliver,” he says.
Designed for people living with dementia and their care partners, the park focuses on comfort and connection. For Mike, it represents the best of what can happen when partners, donors, and community come together around a shared vision.
The moments that stick
Mike’s favourite moments as a volunteer aren’t always the big announcements. They’re the small reminders that this work is part of everyday life.
“Last week I had to pick up my kids and their cousins early from school,” he recalls. “When I asked where they wanted to go, my daughter said, ‘that music park.’ She meant the Quinterra Legacy Garden, and it reminded me how this work shows up in our everyday life. That made me proud.”
Pump tracks have been another standout for him. At South Glenmore, he has watched kids as young as four on scooters, parents on bikes, and grandparents cheering from the sidelines.
“That kind of multi‑generational use is exactly the kind of community impact we want,” he says.
Quinterra Legacy Garden – Grand Opening day, August 14, 2021.
Taking the leap into leadership
Mike’s commitment to volunteering is rooted in his own experience growing up in Calgary.
“When I was younger, a steady group of volunteers had a real impact on my life and how I experienced this city,” he says. “I promised myself that when it was my turn, I’d give back.”
For anyone considering a governance or leadership role, his advice is simple: “Take the leap. The time you give comes back to you through the impact you help create in the city you live in. You’ll also meet people who are there for the same unselfish reasons and the relationships you build can last for years.”
In the photo: Mike Henry on the far right at the groundbreaking of Martin Family Legacy Garden, 2025.
Why volunteering with Parks Foundation matters
Ask Mike what he enjoys most about volunteering with Parks Foundation, and he comes back to two things: the people, and the chance to see the impact firsthand.
“There’s nothing like watching a new park open and knowing it will be part of families’ everyday lives,” he says.
If he had to sum it up in one line:
“Volunteering with Parks Foundation Calgary matters because… even a small contribution can help make Calgary a better place to live – for the people and families I share this city with.”
During Volunteer Week, Mike’s story is a reminder that leadership roles behind the scenes are just as vital as hands‑on volunteering in the field. Every hour given at the board table helps create the music gardens, pump tracks, dementia‑inclusive parks, and neighbourhood spaces where Calgarians come together every day.