Jensen Park has been around as an official park since 1967, when a beautification and tree planting program took place in the west end of the park as a Canadian Centennial project. There was also a wading pool added. However, the area now occupied by the park was used as a horse race track in the 1940s. The park was named after Knud Jensen, a native of Denmark who had moved to Alberta in 1930. In 1938 the Jensens purchased a farm from Dr. Edwards. Active as a village coucillor during the 1940s, he was also mayor (or reeve) of Airdrie from 1950 - 1959.
The Jensen's farm was situated to the north of this park, and Airdrie old-timers will certainly remember the "Big Red Barn" which was on their property until it was moved (by flatbed truck) in 1994 to the Jensen farm west of Airdrie. Take a look at the playground in Jensen Park and you will see that one of the play structures is indeed in the shape of a Big Red Barn.
In 1968 the outdoor skating rink was moved to Jensen Park and positioned where the Plainsmen Arena now stands. The next year a cinder block change building was erected at the west end of the open air community rink. (The building is now part of the Plainsmen Arena.) A dedication ceremony and ice carnival took place on Sunday, February 8 1970 with "Buckshot" of CFCN TV as the Master of Ceremonies. - 100 Years of Nose Creek Valley History, Stephen Wilk
The indoor rink was officially opened on January 9, 1976.
There are all sorts of plaques, cairns and signs in the park to read, providing numerous tidbits of historical information on different aspects of Airdrie's history. Another piece of children's playground equipment pays respect to the stage coach history of the area. The park is still a hub of the community, hosting the Airdrie Farmer's Market and plenty of other events and sports throughout the year.
