Tributes and speeches flowed with almost as much joy and regularity as the kids zipping down the amazing slippery slide nearby.

It was a gala affair at the grand opening of the new Lou Picconne Park at Bentley Park, with around 100 people celebrating the life and achievements - not to mention the $500,000 dollar playground - built by the company behind The Outlook residential development.

Described as Edmonton's "favourite son of retail", Lou Piccone was the first and only choice for the name of the new park when developers Fortress asked their real estate agents Gerard and Nickoli Obersky from One Stop Property for a recommendation.

Mayor Bob Manning officially opened the new park yesterday after a spirited speech from Mr Piccone.

The Lou Piccone Park consists of more than 11,000sqm of green space, sheltered areas, landscaped gardens, playing fields and a playground shipped in from Germany that include a 6.5m Spacenet climbing frame.

Fortress Group CEO Peter McGuane said the Lou Piccone Park was a centrepiece for the new estate.

“We wanted Lou Piccone Park to be a special place reflective of the unique location of The Outlook, which is fringed by the spectacular world heritage-listed rainforest of Barron Gorge National Park,” Mr McGuane said.

“The park is a place for families to live and grow together as part of a vibrant new community, with an exciting playground for children to explore and plenty of space to run and kick a ball, or for parents to relax on the green and catch up on the local news with friends and fellow residents."

The Lou Piccone Park is situated at Outlook Drive and is officially open to the public from tod