CALGARY – We’re learning new details about the big facelift one of the city’s more under-utilized parks will receive.
A redevelopment of St. Patrick’s Island will begin this spring, with new additions including picnic areas, skating and toboggan areas, and an amphitheatre.
“At one point, the island was actually three islands,” says Barbara Wilks, founder of W Architecture in a news release. “There was a breach where the water would come across every year and there were wetlands. So, our objective was to reveal and restore the natural processes that made the island and offer a set of experiences which vary, literally, every day of the year.”
Some of the planned recreational experiences of St. Patrick’s Island include:
The TIP – At the top of the island and equipped with seating bars and an informal plaza, the Tip, is a respite and rest area designed to withstand annual flooding.
The SEASONAL BREACH – The re-installation of a historic channel (breach) will allow Calgarians to explore the natural gravel bars of the Bow River in the summer or go for a skate in the winter.
The RISE – The multipurpose grassy island knoll stands nine (9) metres high and is sloped on one side to offer some amazing vantage points of downtown Calgary. The Rise provides a perfect outdoor amphitheatre setting for community celebrations and in the winter will become a prime tobogganing site!
The LOOKOUT – Situated at the eastern edge of the park (near the Calgary Zoo), the Lookout includes seating and picnic areas, a small amphitheatre, water features, and overviews of the lowland channel and boardwalks.
The COVE – Along the southern edge of the island, the Cove is designed to encourage fishing, kayaking or wading. It provides quick access to the Lookout and the lowland channel riparian areas of the island.
The LOWLAND CHANNEL – a second historic channel will be restored and deepened to create a seasonal, true riparian wetland within the core of the island which will greatly enhance the diversity of species that can take inhabit the island.
The redevelopment also includes the construction on a new bridge which will connect connection from the island to the north banks of the Bow River
Construction on St. Patrick’s Bridge began in 2012 and will be completed in the fall of 2013, according to the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation website.
The island will be closed for public access starting March 18, 2013 and will remain closed for 18-24 months.
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