CALGARY – The City of Calgary is hosting an open house on Tuesday to discuss the future of a popular northwest park.
Bowmont Park lies along the northern banks of the Bow River, and occupies about 164 hectares of land.
Officials are hoping to make some improvements to the park, including restoration work on the river’s edge and some changes to off-leash area boundaries.
Area residents shared concerns about the proposed changes to the off-leash area at an open house last year.
“We heard loud and clear from the public their preferences for off-leash areas in the park, so we decided to preserve the land off of 40th Ave as an off-leash area,” says Chris Manderson, Parks Urban Conversation Lead.
Although the land adjacent to the river will have to become on-leash due to the conflict between sensitive natural habitats in the area and off-leash use, the Parks department is investigating the option of installing designated off-leash river access points along the riverbank so visitors and their dogs can still enjoy the water on hot summer days.
They are also proposing the removal of the playground in the off-leash area adjacent to 40th Ave, and the redevelopment of the other playground just 250 metres away near the sports field.
Once the playground is taken out, benches would be added so dog owners and other park visitors could sit, socialize and watch their dogs play.
“Bowmont Park is one of the city’s most significant natural environment parks,” says Manderson. “There’s no other park like it in the city and that’s why we’re undertaking these improvements to protect the natural integrity of the park.”
Open House
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Varsity Community Centre (4303 Varsity Drive N.W.)
More Information
The City of Calgary is seeking public feedback on both the removal of the playground and the installation of the off-leash river access points.
People can provide their feedback at the open house or online at calgary.ca/bowmontparkimprovements.
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