from the ground up Calgary celebrating 100 years of parks This book is dedicated to all the individuals, groups and organizations which have supported and contributed to Calgary’s parks and pathways. Our parks and pathways are remarkable, a direct reflection of the extraordinary people who have, and continue to give, their time and energy creating and sustaining a vibrant, healthy, safe and caring community filled with beautiful spaces for Calgarians today and for generations to come. table of contents

letters 10

12

Tintroductionhe earth beneath our feet

Chapter 1 14

1putting 875 – 1 909 down roots

Chapter 2 32 1910the –seeds 1946 of promise

Chapter 3 54 the growing season 1947 – 1976

Chapter 4 68 a respectable harvest 1977 – 2000

Chapter 5 86 a bountiful future 2001 – Onward

106 1867timeline – 2010 110 Calgarybibliographical Celebrating 100 essay years of Parks notes 116

4 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 5 right (Top-bottom, left-right) Victoria Park, c 1910s, CPR Gardens, c 1900s. historic Postcard collection: Courtesy of Mr. Roe. opposite page (Top-bottom, left-right) Shaganappi Point, Bow River c 1900s. historic Postcards: Courtesy Mr. Roe

Swinging at Bowness Park, c 1910s. glenbow archives na-4355-31

Swimming in Elbow River, c 1940s. glenbow archives pa-3538-20

8 Calgary 8 Celebrating Calgary 100 Celebrating years of parks 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 9 Letters

Dear Fellow Calgarians: Dear Reader;

Our natural environment is an important asset in our great city, and it is particularly The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of The City of Calgary Parks. One hundred years important as our city grows and matures, we protect, expand and enhance our public ago the first Parks Superintendent was tasked with planning and establishing a park system green spaces. Over the past 100 years, Parks has worked to create and sustain a vibrant, for the growing town of Calgary; population approximately 40,000. healthy, safe and caring community as the provider of parks and open space. Although Parks has seen significant changes over the last century, many things haven’t Please join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of The City of Calgary Parks as we changed. Calgarians’ appreciation for green spaces was woven into the fabric of Calgary’s commemorate the past, present and future of parks and open spaces in Calgary. From culture early in 1884 when citizens could purchase spruce trees for five cents each to help the time of the first Parks Superintendent, John Buchanan, until now, the citizens of beautify the town. Today, Calgarians continue to care for and protect our green spaces of Calgary recognized the need for quality parks and open spaces. more than 7,700 hectares and including more than 700 kilometres of pathways. Our parks have truly grown with us – from activities that have stood the test of time like music concerts Understanding our roots and working to maintain and enhance our natural environment in parks, to new activities like geocaching – parks have a special place in our lives. will help ensure a bright future for all Calgarians, spanning many generations and centuries to come. Parks are a precious resource in a big city – please take some time to For 100 years, The City of Calgary Parks has stewarded open spaces and nature. learn more about Calgary’s open spaces, and get out and enjoy them for yourself! We have been a part of every Calgary neighbourhood. We look forward to many more years of promoting environmental stewardship and community pride in these parks that make Calgary a great city and a wonderful place to live.

Sincerely, Sincerely,

October 12, 2010 October 10, 2010 Dave Bronconnier Anne Charlton, CSLA Mayor Director

10 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 11 The earth beneath our feet

This is the story of the builders and The varying textures are dramatic, the Whether enjoyed as a place to walk, sit, duals, families and corporations that recog- postcards below (left to right) CPR Park, benefactors of Calgary’s parks and open climate brazen, the microclimates and plant play or socialize, parks have considerable nize the intrinsic value of public open space 1900s, Skating on Elbow spaces; the individuals, community groups life diverse. bearing on the quality of life enjoyed by the by making it a priority, for now and for River, 1910s, St. George’s and corporations that have together shaped population of any urban community. Parks the future. Island, 1920s, Central the softer side— the sense of place — in this Two rivers bring in clean mountain water, provide a much-needed respite from the which over thousands of years, has carved After 100 years of growing and nurturing, Memorial Park, 1940s, urban centre, over the past 100 years. unnatural pace of an urban lifestyle. Dinny at Calgary Zoo steep escarpments, rendered bluffs and Calgary boasts a parks and open space 1950s, Central Memorial It is the story about people changing nature defined islands along the river valley. But competing interests and high land system that covers 7,742 hectares spread Park, 1970s. to conform to human needs and expecta- values can challenge priorities, and the nat- over 5,345 individual parcels. This system The region’s topography was ideal for bison historic postcard collection tions, and then changing expectations to ural environment is always and by defini- of community parks is supplemented by an courtesy of mr. roe. align with, to preserve, and even to restore hunting among the First Nations people who tion, vulnerable. Putting useful land to the extensive pathway system stretching more the natural environment and cultural land- have been here all along. In time, it would side for public enjoyment before private than 700 kilometres. scape that is Calgary. lend itself to more recreational exploits as interests consume it is at best expensive, and environmental parkland within the city. at worst, cost-prohibitive. As Parks celebrates 100 years of effort and Calgary’s physical setting is spectacular and The natural landscape of Calgary provides accomplishment, the parks themselves cont- opportune. The city sits on the western edge the physical resources for the growing of The City of Calgary has benefited immensely inue to provide a source of public pride and of the prairie grasslands in clear view of the parks. People provide the vision and energy from the foresight and generosity of indivi- a place of belonging. Rocky Mountains to the south and west. to make that growth happen.

12 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 13 this page Picnic lunch while ploughing in Alberta, c 1910. glenbow archives na-3747-6

chapter one

Putting down roots

1875–1909

14 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 15 Putting down roots – growing Calgary’s park system

this page Bow River and Islands Plan, 1913.

plan: city of calgary parks

Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 17 Putting down roots The promise of economic opportunity stimulated 1 considerable interest in the area, and by the time the railroad 1875 –1909 arrived in 1883, a steady influx of settlers had already spawned a small town.

icture it if you will. A camp Bow River valley. The After the establishment of on the north shore of the Bow promise of economic Fort Calgary, the town of Calgary became River, across from what is now opportunity stimulated official in the fall of 1884, with its own St. George’s Island. Smoke is considerable interest in government, industry (agricultural), wafting from a smouldering the area, and by the time newspaper (the H erald) and a spattering fire that barely warms the the railroad arrived in of timber homes exposed to the relentless crisp morning air. The running river anim- 1883, a steady influx of winds and manic climes of the bald ates an otherwise silent vignette at this settlers had already spaw- prairie. It was a harsh environment, but strategic junction in the First Nations trail ned a small town. the 500 or so residents were optimistic system. For generations the people of the they could transform it into home. Blackfoot Nation have camped here. The town of Calgary became official in the In the winter of 1787-88, European explorer fall of 1884, with its own David Thompson joined them. He recorded government, industry the longitude and latitude of the spot in (agricultural), newspaper his journal. (the Herald) and a spatt- ering of timber homes Not far away but nearly 100 years later, the exposed to the relentless winds and manic ABOVE First Nations North West Mounted Police established climes of the bald prairie. It was a harsh camp near Fort Calgary, AB., c 1880s. an outpost on a tract of barren land at the environment, but the 500 or so residents

confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers. were optimistic they could transform it glenbow archives Na-665-1 The year was 1875 and the west was about to into home. LEFT The View of be settled. Fort Calgary represented law and Fort Calgary, AB., order in this remote region on the western When it came to transforming the landscape looking north from bank edge of the prairies. And that semblance of from barren to beautiful, William Pearce of Elbow River, 1881. civilization, along with unprecedented home- proved to be Calgary’s earliest and perhaps steading opportunities, would entice enter- most influential benefactor. An inspector for glenbow archives Na-325-13 prising pioneers to stake a claim out west. the Dominion Land Agencies in Ottawa, Pearce oversaw all land title claims out west. In 1880, the Canadian Pacific Railway revealed its plan to re-route the transconti- A man of considerable clout, and unchecked nental train south and west along the arrogance, Pearce had a singular ability

18 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 19 From his first visit to the area in the early 1880s, Pearce believed in the creation of a city that would be visually attractive to citizens and visitors alike.

to irritate just about everyone he came in That same year, the community requested contact with. His boss, the Minister of the land from the Dominion Government for Interior, once claimed that 98 out of 100 use as a public park. The request was people that Pearce met, disliked him. Fortun- approved and a large section of bare land ately for Calgary, what he lacked in popul- adjacent to the Bow River at the far west arity he made up for in vision. end of town was transferred to the Town in 1885. Calgary’s first park — which included From his first visit to the area in the early the lands where Mewata Armories and 1880s, Pearce believed in the creation of Shaw Millennium Park are today — would a city that would be visually attractive to lay fallow for a good 20 years. It was out-of- citizens and visitors alike. He wasted no the-way and its value was largely overlooked time getting things started. In 1884, three as parkland. years before purchasing his own acreage from the CPR (Pearce Estate), Pearce In June 1890, the Town filed for permission used his position to reserve land along the to use this land commonly known as the north side of the Bow River between what “west end park” for a waterworks pumping would eventually become the Langevin station. In September of the same year, they and Louise bridges. As adjacent properties below offered the entire property to the CPR for William Pearce, c 1881. were being gobbled up with aggressive land a train works yard if the railroad moved claims, this 200-foot wide reserve was to its Divisional point to Calgary. The PRC glenbow archives NA-339-1 be saved for public use, improved upon declined the offer, and the Town went on with the planting of trees, largely ignoring the park until 1906. Calgary, AB, 1885. and destined to provide a would not be accommodated there indefin- William Pearce in the search for suitable above pleasant drive along the Glenbow archives NA-3188-42 As prospective landowners continued to itely. The Catholic site was consecrated ground. land. After careful consideration, Pearce Bow River. Today it is the scramble for title to choice properties in selected 112 acres west of town where city’s landmark boulevard 1884, the Town wrestled with many of the Suggesting the lack of a designated cemetery Shaganappi Golf Course is today. Its — Memorial Drive, and logistics that plague a young town, including was forcing the burial of people at random location on the hill afforded a lovely view of an important part of the question of where to bury its dead. The locations around town, the Herald called on the town site, road access was deemed easy Calgary’s extensive river Catholic Mission (established in Calgary in civic leaders to demonstrate some leadership to establish, and there was potential for the pathway system. 1875), had its own cemetery, but the arrival and come up with a solution. The Town site to serve other municipal needs such as of the railroad introduced a predominantly responded by creating a cemetery committee a park, or a reservoir, if Calgary chose to Protestant population that could not, and that, in turn, enlisted the assistance of establish a waterworks system in the future.

20 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 21 Calgary’s early settlers were naturally drawn to the river’s edge for leisure and refreshment, enjoying community picnics and family time there.

At the east end of town, readily accessible For some reason, the Town never did follow park purposes and that the Town plant trees and conveniently down wind, 40 acres on through with the sale of the old cemetery and take other such initiatives to beautify what is now Scotsman’s Hill was considered land. And so Calgary’s inventory of parkland the sites. a good alternative. The Dominion Govern- grew, by default. ment, which owned the land, had designated Suspecting the islands might one day be it for use as school land, but agreed to make The natural topography of the region needed for future railway construction, it available to Calgary through public provided several other opportune park areas. the government opted to lease instead of auction. In true eleventh-hour style, some- Escarpments and bluffs along the rivers, and granting ownership title. At first, the Town one else swooped in and outbid the Town islands in the stream, for example, were rejected the offer because it did not want to at auction, and the search for an alter- preserved as part of Calgary’s park system spend money for improvements to parkland nate cemetery site continued. essentially because they appeared unsuited it didn’t own. But when the Herald suggested for anything else. Calgary’s civic leaders were out-of-step with Since free or cheap government land close other Canadian cities such as Montreal and Funeral procession The Bow and Elbow rivers, with their above Always thinking ahead, Pearce was. to town was no longer available, a third plan Toronto in terms of Calgary’s park devel- at Union Cemetery, Calgary, to acquire a cemetery site was necessary. fresh, mountain water and numerous small opment, the Town of Calgary had a change AB., June 4, 1911. The one thing Pearce didn’t do however, The Town clerk contacted the Minister of wooded islands, provided a stark contrast of heart. to the parched prairie land everywhere glenbow archives na-2315-6 (nor did anyone else, for that matter), was the Interior to ask permission to sell the old below St. George’s plant a shovel in the ground there. If he had, cemetery site (at Shaganappi) and purchase else. Calgary’s early settlers were naturally More than two years of negotiations fol- Island, c 1900s. there’s a good chance he would have realized private land. Permission was granted and drawn to the river’s edge for leisure and lowed before the Town signed the lease glenbow archives na-2159-10 the criteria for a suitable graveyard involves the search for a new site resumed. refreshment, enjoying community picnics agreement in 1890 and named the lower more than a good view and easy road access. and family time there. It didn’t take long to find one. A tract of It should come as no surprise then that the In the winter of 1885, the federal govern- mostly treeless, hillside land southeast Town of Calgary’s first initiative to create a ment granted the Town the chosen site for of the Elbow River was for sale. Having public park was a petition to the Minister of use as a cemetery. By fall of 1888, it was pre-determined its suitability for grave the Interior in 1887 requesting title to three clear the site was ill-suited for that purpose. excavation, the Town went on to purchase of the largest Bow River islands within The clay-based earth and stony subsoil made the land from Augustus Carney for $70 an town limits. hand-digging graves an impossibly arduous acre. Carney would remain in his house for some time after the sale. He served as the task. There was no way around it. A new William Pearce once again proved a strong cemetery’s first caretaker until the Parks and cemetery would need to be found and when advocate on behalf of Calgary. He proposed Cemeteries Committee appeared in 1892 to it was, the interred remains here would have the Town take ownership of the islands with assume the responsibility of managing what to be moved there. the condition they be used exclusively for became known as Union Cemetery.

22 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 23 Calgary’s station garden was strategically located immediately north of the railway; right around where the Calgary Tower stands today.

While the original request was being gardens showed travellers first hand what island for St. George, the centre island incidents, like a Town official’s decision to considered, the Society found a better fine things are possible on the prairies. for St. Andrew, and the upper island for chop down island trees, to be reprehensible. location for an exhibition site; Crown land St. Patrick. He called attention to the risk of subjecting just north of the Elbow River. In early 1889, Calgary’s station garden was strategically Calgary’s parks and cemetery assets to the located immediately north of the railway; While the Town saw the value in the island the federal government agreed to sell these whims of a fresh chairman of the Parks right around where the Calgary Tower parks, by 1893 its investment in their 94 acres of land at a total cost of $235. and Cemeteries Committee each year. He stands today. Newcomers in town, and beautification had been minimal. Instead, argued it would be better to place parks In 1896, the debt-ridden Society sold the visitors travelling through, couldn’t miss it. its priority was to connect the islands, and and cemeteries in the hands of a responsible property to R.B. Bennett, a Calgary lawyer more specifically –S t. George’s Island – to below CPR Park, Parks Board. and the future prime minister of Canada. The PRC saw to the design and planting of the mainland, and thereby, the public to Station Garden, c 1900s. Five years later, in 1901, Bennett sold it to the garden and the Town agreed to water the parks. A ferry was designed, staffed and historic postcard courtesy mr. roe. Individual agendas weren’t the only thing The City of Calgary for $7,000. The property and maintain it. swept away by the river – twice. A bridge influencing Calgary’s future. In the heart was renamed Victoria Park, and over the was the obvious and more expensive choice, of cattle country, Calgary’s agricultural next several years, would provide exhibition though the structure wouldn’t actually roots run deep. By 1884, Samuel Livingston grounds and Calgary’s only athletic park. materialize until 15 years later. was already well known for his farming Victoria Park would eventually go on to house below St. George’s The diversion of attention, and funds, did success. In June of that year, he got together “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” — the Island Bridge, Calgary, AB., with other area farmers and businessmen, Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. c 1910. not please William Pearce who maintained a strong personal interest in the beauti- including Colonel James Walker, George Around the same time the Calgary and glenbow archives na-2114-4 fication of the island parks. He saw random King, Augustus Carney and James Fitzgerald to organize the Calgary and District Agricultural Society secured its District Agricultural Society. piece of Calgary, the Canadian Pacific Railway developed one of theirs. In 1889, Their objective was to promote the Alberta Divisional Superintendent John agricultural potential of Calgary and area, Niblock designated a block of CPR land within town and nationwide, with an annual for the development of a station garden, fall fair, entries in agricultural fairs across the likes of which had started blooming the country, and publications proclaiming elsewhere in the western provinces with the fertility of Alberta’s soil. considerable success.

The Society needed land to host their annual These station gardens were designed as a exhibition, and petitioned the federal marketing showpiece, exemplifying the government for free land accordingly. fertility and versatility of the region for the benefit of those travelling by rail. The

24 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 25 Appearances aside, everything with the Roughly 20 years later, that property CPR and the Town of Calgary wasn’t all would be transformed into one of Calgary’s marigolds and roses in the late 1880s. favourite gathering places — Central The PRC was amassing a substantial debt (Memorial) Park. It is the first example of to the Town of Calgary in the form of land acquisition for non-payment of taxes unpaid property taxes, and the growing in Calgary. above White spruce tree municipality desperately needed the railway branch. to pay up. In addition to the development of a few select parks and the designation of land as It was a familiar story clear across the future parks, the Town of Calgary and its nation. The PRC was just getting their citizens became avid tree planters in the railroad going and they were getting ham- early years. mered with expenses. The company had stockpiled an incredible inventory of land The environmental benefits of planting trees as a speculative investment, and now every were the subject of considerable discussion fledgling town along the tracks had its hand throughout North America in the 1880s. out for tax money. The railroad wanted But for Calgarians living in this essentially special concessions and was refusing, in treeless, wind-swept landscape, aesthetics many cases, to pay. was likely as much of a motivator as anything else. With its own start-up expenses growing, the Town of Calgary had no choice but to Beginning with The City of Calgary’s incorp- sue the CPR for back taxes. Probably every oration in May 1894, and continuing on at small town along the rail was thinking various times through the spring of 1905, about doing the same thing. In 1888-1889, The City distributed spruce trees to tax- the CPR sat down with its lawyers and payers upon request for a small fee. Calgary’s The success of the tree planting program and 1892, with an ambitious plan to redirect above (top-bottom, left-right) drafted up a deal. They offered to turn over backyards were starting to green up. the general transformation of the Calgary water from the Elbow River via a lengthy Photographs and half the property taxes owing Calgary, and landscape was dependent on providing water. system of canals and flumes, or channels, to postcard of Central Park In 1895, The City introduced a boulevard (now Central Memorial some land, at a reduced price. The mid-1890s were marked by a period of promote mixed farming and forestry in the tree-planting program that saw trees going Park), Calgary, AB., drought. Without proper irrigation, nothing region. It was controversial, to say the least. in along Calgary’s main roads. The co-ord- 1908, 1930s, 1914. The one stipulation the PRC added to the in the way of vegetation would thrive. inated effort between The City and its citizens Pearce was accused of using his influence historic postcard courtesy of mr. roe. deal was that the land could not be resold Enter William Pearce, again. He had and the Town had to use it as a park. planted the seeds for Calgary’s urban forest. with the federal government to gain privi- glenbow archives nA-1604-115 started the Calgary Irrigation Company in leges others felt they were being denied. glenbow archives nd-8-481

26 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 27 The Pearce Estate becamewestern Canada’s first experimental irrigation farm; an oasis of sorts in the midst of the prairie.

The Feds were in the process of drafting the Today, the Pearce Estate has another life as North West Irrigation Act at the time, and home to the environmental Pearce Estate Pearce was in fact following the rules to the Park Interpretive Wetland project and the letter. Of course, if you help write the rules, Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery. you know what they are. Around the turn of the century, the mood Then, just as the battle for irrigation was in Calgary was shifting from tentative getting really heated, it started to rain. to confident. The Grand Trunk Pacific Pearce hadn’t seen that coming. The drought and Canadian Northern railways arrived ended at the turn of the century and the and stirred up a new wave of interest actual influence of the Calgary Irrigation and investment. As the city’s population Company proved modest. The Pearce Estate increased, so did land values and the number became western Canada’s first experimental of subdivisions. And with the promise of irrigation farm; an oasis of sorts in the midst prosperity came an increased level of public of the prairie. And despite appearances, expectation. below William Pearce Pearce Estate his efforts weren’t entirely self-serving. above Estate, Calgary AB., Park, 2010. left House The federal government’s Forestry Branch Calgary’s civic leaders responded by exten- c 1890s. at William Pearce Estate, credits Pearce with having established the ding the township limits and investing in c 1890s. glenbow archives na-3898-5 first tree farm in Western Canada. necessary infrastructure including water, sewer, and electric systems, a street railway, photo: the city of calgary glenbow archives na-3898-2 and parks. They pictured a conscious trans- formation: the creation of a “Greater Calgary,” a more desirable and beautiful place to live. A general interest in parks and recreation, including everything from public gardens, children’s playgrounds, athletic fields and amusement parks to zoological displays and agricultural exhibi- tions, was integral to that vision.

The sense of optimism in Calgary was tangible. In the spring of 1906, taxpayers were so convinced of Calgary’s potential as a

28 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks The Calgary Horticultural Society encouraged citizens to improve their individual properties, and assisted them in doing so.

place of beauty and civic pride they voted in in favour of contracting the work out to a Its purpose was clear and steady: to Parks Board to formally oversee the future favour of a new bylaw that would raise and professional, that City engineer conceded he promote the inherent growing potential of Calgary’s parks and cemeteries with invest $23,000 for parks. could and would draw up the plans himself. of the region and, in so doing, ensure the A.M. Terrill appointed chairman. It wasn’t development and prosperity of a great city. the first time the suggestion had come up, It was a substantial coup for Chairman After much debate, Hunt proved convincing The Society hosted an annual flower show, but it was the first time Council acted on it. Hunt and the Parks and Cemeteries Com- and Frederick Todd was awarded the presented model gardens and published mittee. The Parks operating budget for contract as Calgary’s first landscape archi- articles and later books to educate and inspire By June, the Board had drafted a bylaw 1906 had been a meagre $2,858. That paid tectural consultant. The park was to be citizens. A.M. Terrill, one of the founding that provided for a Parks Board of five for caretaker wages, regular maintenance called “Mewata,” a Cree word meaning “be members, owned and operated Calgary’s commissioners who would, among other and little else. Here was an opportunity, joyous,” and it was to be beautiful. first greenhouse and florist shop. That was things, have the authority to establish a the first of its kind really, to transform the in addition to his role as both alderman budget and appoint a Parks superintendent But in early 1907, Chairman Hunt left long-neglected piece of parkland along and chairman of the Parks and Cemeteries to manage day-to-day park development Calgary rather abruptly, and with him went the Bow River on the far west end of town Committee. His business connections were and operations. above Mewata Park, the impetus to develop Mewata Park and the into something special. viewed as an asset rather than a conflict of c 1920. focus on horticulture in park development. interest and so he too garnered a certain The bylaw brought the administration of glenbow archives na-1604-68 Hunt had his own vision of what that parks, cemeteries and boulevards under TheA dministration promptly cancelled level of public recognition and respect. might entail, but to ensure the best possible one authority and positioned the Parks Todd’s contract, and the Parks and result, and to his credit, he recommended Board to effectively direct the growth of Cemeteries Committee shifted its attention, And by 1909, William Reader, the personal the Town hire a professional landscape parkland and playgrounds and, in concert and funds, to various construction projects. gardener for local cattle king Pat Burns, was architect to create a master plan. with the Calgary Horticultural Society, These included the redevelopment of contributing regular articles on the subject spearhead the beautification of the town. The clear choice in Hunt’s mind was Victoria Park as a proper exhibition space of local gardening and speaking on behalf of Frederick Todd, a renowned American for agricultural fairs and various live-stock the Horticultural Society. left William Reader landscape architect from Montreal and the associations with a grandstand, adminis- representing the Horti- The Calgary HorticulturalS ociety encour- cultural Society, Calgary, designer behind that city’s Mount Royal tration buildings and such; building a aged citizens to improve their individual AB., c 1910s. Park. Calgary would surely benefit from bridge to St. George’s Island; and making properties, and assisted them in doing so. glenbow archives na-1604-55 bringing in his skills, and his reputation. general improvements at Union Cemetery. But, according to the Herald, if Calgary was But Calgary’s civic leadership neither As The City went about single-mindedly to blossom into a truly great city, the civic understood nor particularly respected the planting mainly hard infrastructure at leadership would need to embrace the same discipline of landscape architecture at the various park locations during 1907–1908, objective for the town as a whole. time. One alderman suggested The City six local businessmen joined forces to plant By the end of February 1909, the Society engineer was every bit as capable of doing flowers. The Calgary Horticultural Society had persuaded City Council to create a the work. And, although he was himself formed in the spring of 1908.

30 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 31 this page Parade, Calgary, 1905. glenbow archives na-1497-9

chapter two

The seeds of promise

1910–1946

32 33 Calgary’s pre-war parks system

this page City Hall Landscape Plan, c 1930s.

plan: the city of calgary parks.

Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 35 The seeds of promise Buchanan was confident in his knowledge of botany and professed to be an 2 excellent public speaker. Deemed the perfect candidate, his skill set would be put to work designing a parks system,cultivating public interestin park development, promoting public education around the proper care and value 1910–1946 of parks, and hopefully, generating public funding to make it all happen.

y the beginning of 1910, the To some extent, public interest was already sense of absolute confidence in evident. Wealthy private citizens were Calgary’s future as a western dedicating substantial tracks of land to the metropolis made planning expansion of The City’s parks inventory. In for that future a meaningful February of 1910, Ezra Hounsfield Riley exercise. Park development was seen as donated 20 acres of his land in Hillhurst for integral to the city’s success, not optional. park purposes. In October, James Shouldice transferred 100 acres of his land along the After a substantial hiccup caused by the Bow River to The City with the stipulation resignation of the Board chairman at the end it be used for games, sports and other of its first year, J.S. MacDonald stepped into such recreational activities. Including the the chairman’s shoes and the Board followed site of the town’s original failed cemetery through with its first priority, which was which was officially transferred from the to hire a Parks superintendent to design federal government in March and named and lay out a parks system for Calgary. Shaganappi Park, the total parks inventory would exceed 300 acres by year-end. It was a monumental decision signalling the official birth of The City of Calgary Parks. But land ownership and park stewardship are not the same thing. Without adequate John Buchanan of Guelph, Ontario, was the budget money, the parks system designed man for the job. Well-read on the subject by Buchanan, and all that parkland could of landscape gardening, Buchanan was not be developed. The Board knew that, and confident in his knowledge of botany and Buchanan knew it too. professed to be an excellent public speaker. ABOVE Deemed the perfect candidate, his skill set So with the Board’s blessing, Buchanan Ezra Hounsfield Riley, would be put to work designing a parks proposed a budget of $100,000 to finance immediate and much-needed improvements c 1900s and John Buchanan, system, cultivating public interest in park c 1900s. to the island parks, Union Cemetery, development, promoting public education Glenbow archives M-8375-16-4 this page Women around the proper care and value of parks, Mewata, Central and Riley parks and he Photo of john buchanan: University of guelph. playing cricket at Riley Park, and hopefully, generating public funding drafted a bylaw to that effect. Calgary, AB., 1921. to make it all happen. Glenbow archives na-2393-1

36 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 37 Archives Network of Alberta Display http://asalive.archivesalberta.org:8080/?proc=display&sess=ASALIVE-4...

Planting shade trees along streets and boulevards, introducing a variety of new tree and shrub species, protecting young trees from the damaging Help Feedback Home chinook winds by wrapping them in burlap, even dynamiting the hardpan Photo Search => View =>earthResults to=> loosenItem the soil and make planting easier; these were some of the Display - Alberta InSight solutions Iverson had in mind.

7Previous Entry 8Next Entry left (top) Tree lined Title:Buchanan then Portraitmet of Richardwith Iversonthe Iverson was described as a man of marked streets, looking East on Fondseditors title: of the HeraldCity of Calgary. to obtainParks & Recreationability Department who had fonds studied forestry and park 13th Avenue, c 1920s. Dates:public support. n.d.Despite a valiant work at the University of Berlin where Historic postcard courtsey of mr. roe. Physicaleffort Description: and numerous1 photograph: editorials b&w; 20cm x 13cmhe graduated with the highest honours. Description:praising the medicalThe item benefitsconsists of a photographof Following of Richard graduation,Iverson he worked in the bottom Superintendent’s Repository: City of Calgary, Corporate Records, Archives recreation, fresh air and breathing German Imperial Gardens and became house at Union Cemetery, Names: Parks and Recreation Department, City of Calgary, Alberta c 1911. spaces (typhoid feverIverson, was Richard in town), a personal favourite of Kaiser Wilhelm, photo: the city of calgary parks Subjects:and despite a seriesMunicipal of public governments meet- - Employeesapparently on account of his energy ings to discuss itsClothing merits, - Men's the bylaw and ability. Topics: Politics and Government was narrowly defeated. Standard number: CR92-049 ; CalA CR-92-049-010Iverson arrived during an April snowstorm And apparently, so was Buchanan. and his initial impression of Calgary was Although he loved his job, upon not good. He wasn’t a quitter though submitting his first and only annual (a fact that would become painfully clear report to the Board in January 1911, later on), and soon warmed up to the idea Portrait of ABOVE Buchanan resigned from his position as Parks that, with his extensive knowledge and Richard Iverson, a German superintendent and left Calgary, forever. refined skills, he could greatly improve the trained, self-professed existing situation. landscape artist, c 1910s. n Email or download this informationThe. good people on the Parks Board started The City of calgary corporate records, searching far and wide for a new Parks Planting shade trees along streets and archives: CalA CR-92-049-10 And Iverson benefited from the passage of together contributed $161,000 to Parks’ Software copyright © superintendent.1998-2010 Cinemage Software They LP. placed All rights adsreserved. in various boulevards, introducing a variety of new Click for content copyright information. a bylaw in May 1911, right after his arrival, operating budget. It was much needed newspapers out east and into the United tree and shrub species, protecting young followed by another the next year that funding and Iverson didn’t waste any time States. Local gardener William Reader trees from the damaging chinook winds by spending it. Iverson had plenty of his own applied for the job, but his application didn’t wrapping them in burlap, even dynamiting ideas about what needed to be done with res- garner any attention. the hardpan earth to loosen the soil and pect to the development of Calgary’s parks make planting easier; these were some of the and parkland. And he didn’t even pretend to The Board was looking for a superstar; solutions Iverson had in mind. someone who would add instant credi- care if he had consensus moving forward. bility and status to Calgary’s Parks depart- Challenges aside, there were a few key logis- While his list of accomplishments would ment. They thought they found one in tical issues that Iverson would not have to grow to be quite impressive — everything Richard Iverson, a German trained, self- contend with in his position. He got the keys from landscaping plans for Union Cemetery professed landscape artist. to the newly constructed Parks superinten- (complete with an expensive entrance dent’s residence at Union Cemetery, for one.

38 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 39 1 of 1 2/15/2010 7:47 PM At the same time, the inventory of City-owned parkland was expanding exponentially as promoters of land subdivisions proposed to exchange property for access to City infrastructure.

left (top) Marketing archway), and Riley Park (with a picket potato incident. The investigation concluded sketch for Tuxedo Park, fence and two costly entrances), a tree however, that though he was a first-class c 1911. left opposite nursery on St. Patrick’s Island and Calgary’s technical expert, he was a poor choice for (bottom) Calgary first playground installation on St. George’s an administrator. It was recommended he Horticultural Display, Island, to the design and development of a be relieved of his administrative responsi- c 1913. formal Victorian garden at Central Park bilities immediately. GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-2472-1 (with a statue, fountains and a magnificent GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-1604-96 bandstand fit for royalty) — his utter True to form, Iverson refused to quit. And disregard for the opinion of others put though City Council asked the Parks Board him in a bad way from the beginning, and to fire him, the Board flat out refused. without a doubt, limited his influence on After a year-long stalemate between the Calgary’s parks in the end. three bodies of power, the Parks Board was abolished in March 1913, and Iverson was Within a couple months of his arrival paid $500 to submit his resignation. Iverson had managed to alienate the Calgary Horticultural Society, which began The real cost of the Iverson fiasco was yet campaigning for his removal immediately. to be determined. Parks had neglected its By spring of 1912, he had lost the confi- responsibilities during the controversy and dence of a couple members of Council public support for parks inevitably lost some who complained that he had failed to ground as well. competently administer the parks program, with the result that projects were incomplete and over budget. Throughout Iverson’s contentious term At the same time, the inventory of City- as Parks superintendent, Calgary kept owned parkland was expanding expo- Allegations of incompetence were joined growing. The general beautification of the nentially as promoters of land subdivisions by that of ethical misconduct when, during city through boulevard construction and proposed to exchange property for access a general audit of all City departments, one tree planting continued, but staff struggled to City infrastructure. Requests for access alderman reported the suspicious delivery of to keep pace with growth. New streets were to The City’s waterworks system came to be 12, two-horse loads of potatoes to the Parks springing up everywhere, as were conflicts expected. Extensions to the street railway superintendent’s residence. with other City departments that managed system became a popular request. water, sewer and gas connections buried A formal inquiry ultimately cleared Iverson under planted boulevards. Tuxedo and Bowness parks are two of the of any wrongdoing with respect to the more notable examples of land that came

40 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 41 Bowness Park holds a special place inCalgary’s park history, its cultural landscape, and in the hearts of Calgarians. Its picturesque natural setting along the Bow River on the outskirts of town made it a classic example of the kind of “pleasure grounds” enjoyed by city folk in the early 1900s.

into Parks’ inventory through this type of In December 1911, the Town Planning His flawless track record as secretary and superintendent’s residence with The City’s exchange in 1911-1912. Both would take Commission formed. Its mandate was to speaker for the Calgary Horticultural blessing, on a permanent basis. several years to be fully developed due to a plan for parks, boulevards and the like, Society could have spoken to his passion, simple lack of resources. city-wide and far into the future. This arm’s his administrative talents, his attention to It was not to be an easy tenure. Economic length group of citizens would contract a detail, his eloquence, and a proven ability crises, environmental extremes and two Bowness Park holds a special place in town planning consultant from the British to play nicely with others in the sandbox. world wars; this was the context for Reader’s Calgary’s park history, its cultural land- Empire named Thomas Mawson. His job career with Parks. The optimistic bubble scape, and in the hearts of Calgarians. Its was to create a plan for a greater Calgary, On April 1, 1913, Reader was appointed over Calgary had developed a slow leak. picturesque natural setting along the Bow and though truly inspirational in its vision Parks superintendent on an interim basis. Social needs would start to attract serious River on the outskirts of town made it a of an “open space” parks system with “linear Three months later he moved into the Parks consideration. classic example of the kind of “pleasure parks” and “pathway connectivity,” the grounds” enjoyed by city folk in the early Mawson Plan of 1914 had not anticipated left John Hextall with William Reader. ABOVE 1900s. The streetcar was extended west to City officials at Bowness On April 1, 1913, Reader the social and economic challenges of the encourage public access. The lagoon made Park, 1911. was appointed Parks First World War. Through no fault of its for a popular swimming hole in the summer GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-3496-16 superintendent, c 1930s own, the Mawson Plan would be shelved and an equally popular skating rink in the even before it was completed. GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-789-125 colder months. Visitors enjoyed amusement park rides and music, broadcast through When Council disbanded the Parks Board an electronic phonograph connected to in 1913, Calgary’s third Parks superin- loudspeakers on the lagoon. Music remains tendent, William R. Reader took control. a nostalgic part of the skating experience there to this day. William Roland Reader was a gardener before all else. His expertise in horticulture As park development and boulevard plant- was a matter of great personal pride; ing continued to lag further and further the product of many years of hands-on behind the city’s growth under the direction experience and experimentation in private of the Parks Board, our old friend William estate gardens such as that of Patrick Burns. Pearce began meeting with the Calgary Horticultural Society. They discussed the Reader’s original application for the position need for a master plan for parks and the of Parks superintendent in 1911 made no creation of a new institution that would be reference to his qualifications in landscape more effective in dealing with some of the architecture or public speaking, which may long-term planning questions and issues have been why he was overlooked at the time. around parks.

42 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 43 left Swimming at Bowness Park c 1930.

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44 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 45 The Vacant Lots Garden Club pioneered what we call the “broken window” theory back in 1914 with its civic beautification initiative. The objective was to encourage individuals who owned vacant lots to cultivate and transform them into fertile garden plots.

The challenges started almost immediately major cause for applause because it meant with the collapse of Calgary’s real estate that Calgary would never be in the position boom and a dramatic drop in economic that other big cities found themselves in, activity. For Parks it meant an uncertain where population growth out-paced the operating budget and the apparent end to existing park system. the acquisition of parkland through private donations. Ironically, the development of The property we now know as Woods Calgary’s parks system would benefit in Memorial Park came to be in The City’s the end. possession as a result of the new policy in 1922. It was one of several prime locations Reader had always seen the acquired around the same time, including value of boulevards, parks land for parks in Crescent Heights, Mount

and playgrounds as influen- Pleasant, Killarney, Glengarry, Capitol Hill, left A Vacant Lots ced by their dependence on Rosedale, Stanley Park, East Calgary, the Garden Club garden, one another and their Millican Estate, Bankview, West Calgary and c 1920s.

distribution throughout the South Mount Royal. Reader transformed GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-1604-85 city. The collapse of the the respective parcels into priceless orna- real estate economy meant mental gems. individuals who owned vacant lots to The garden dates back to the late 1920s The City was acquiring a cultivate and transform them into fertile and continues to grow produce and comm- massive amount of land Reader also developed a network of smaller garden plots. The City would help prep the unity pride. through tax sales; land in ornamental parks using plots of land left over soil for planting and provide free seed. Free neighbourhoods all around after laying out the street system. These small of weeds and garbage, the gardens would Reader took great pride in a little garden of town. Here was an oppor- plots included traffic circles, street ends produce vegetables or flowers and contribute his own; an oasis of sorts that he called the tunity for The City to develop and islands in the middle of crescents. If he to the nourishment and overall aesthetics, “rockery” on the steep north slope of Union a comprehensive network of could plant it, Reader would work to make it and pride of the community as a whole. Cemetery and the grounds of his official parks, pathways and play- beautiful. If it was beautiful, people would residence as Parks superintendent. grounds city-wide. It was value, and by extension, respect it in their Participation in the program peaked in The creation of this cascading rock garden a dream situation for the community. 1943, the year following Reader’s retire- was a personal passion that consumed a Parks superintendent really. ment. At that time, 3,229 of these garden The Vacant Lots Garden Club pioneered lots blossomed across Calgary. great deal of Reader’s spare time from Canoeing in the ABOVE In 1922, The City’s administration embra- what we call the “broken window” theory 1922–1929 as he continued to experiment lagoon channel at Bowness ced Reader’s suggestion and adopted a back in 1914 with its civic beautification The Bridgeland-Riverside Vacant Lots with seeds, plant species and placement in Park, c 1930. policy for reserving land for parks. It was a initiative. The objective was to encourage Garden is the last of its kind in Calgary. the local clime. And though he put so much

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46 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 47 Reader Rock Garden is now one of Calgary’s most special settings and is designated as a Provincial Historic Resource. Visitors are welcome any time, as it should be.

William Reader’s of himself into its being, Reader always a progressive public education program was left house and garden, c 1930s. remained adamant that it was a public inseparable from public welfare. Tree-lined garden and meant to be shared. boulevards and beautiful parks added to the City of Calgary Archives na-1604-102 the value of adjacent property and bolstered Many decades of neglect following Reader’s civic pride. Parks themselves expanded the 1942 retirement, and then his death the very opportunity for comfort and pleasure. They next year, saw the garden all but disappear invited participation and raised the level beneath a steady growth of grass and weed. of individual and community well being. Then, in 2004, Parks deemed the cultural Parks were always about and for the people. landscape worthy of historical restoration. In the fall of 1913, Reader introduced skating Reader Rock Garden is now one of Calgary’s rinks in Mewata, Hillhurst and Victoria most special settings and is designated as a parks. It was the start of a comprehensive Provincial Historic Resource. Visitors are recreational program that encouraged welcome any time, as it should be. below William Reader in citizens to make full use of the parks. Fresh the Rockery, c 1920s. Reader always thought of parks in terms of air, exercise and enjoyment were wholesome Glenbow Archives Na-1604-101 their inherent value to society. He believed therefore recreation ought to be promoted.

But money was tight and options limited. In the early summer of 1914, The City identified a suitable location for swimming in the Elbow River. It cleared debris, roped off the deeper, more dangerous areas and provided his and her dressing rooms for public enjoyment. It was a popular public venue and if there had been money in the budget, Reader, who was an active member of the

48 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 49 The Zoo on St. George’s Island was another of Reader’s great successes. By the mid-1920s, the animal attraction was drawing record numbers of people to the island, and that, in Reader’s mind, was the true measure of success. Anything that got people out to the parks was good.

Calgary Swimming Club, would have liked Playgrounds were another component of The Zoo on St. George’s Island was another It also included redesigning to do more. Reader’s overall focus on recreation. The of Reader’s great successes. By the mid- Central Park to accommodate the one Iverson had installed on St. George’s 1920s, the animal attraction was drawing cenotaph, removing the band- As it was, Calgarians would have to be Island just wasn’t cutting it. In 1916, record numbers of people to the island, and stand, and renaming the site content swimming for free at a few choice Reader’s staff installed a number of swings, that, in Reader’s mind, was the true measure Central Memorial Park in 1928. locations along the Bow and Elbow rivers, sand pits and teeter-totters at various of success. Anything that got people out at the lagoon in Bowness Park, or paying parks around town. But bullying turned to the parks was good. The fact the Zoo In 1922, Parks expanded its at private facilities such as the YMCA into a problem and formal supervision, generated revenue to help sustain itself cemetery system, adding Burns- and YWCA, until 1941. That’s when The though deemed necessary, proved cost made it just that much better. land Cemetery and reserving City built its first pool at Mewata Park. prohibitive. If the public wanted to play, the 200 plots in Union Cemetery community would have to step up and help. Despite his focus on leisure and recreation, for the burial of ex-service men. In 1915, Reader developed the first City- Reader’s tenure as Parks superintendent In 1930, the cemetery system owned golf course on the site of the original And it did. In 1917, Reader worked with was definitely not all fun and games. The expanded again to include a new below Maude Riley and west end cemetery. Shaganappi Golf Course citizen Maude Riley to establish the Calgary war years, and those in-between, had Parks St. Mary’s Cemetery, and then children, c 1950-1955. provided the public nine holes of undulating Playground Association, which in turn scrambling for budget money and staff, again in 1940, with Queens glenbow archives: pa-3647-4 greens and a panoramic view to die for. received limited City funding for summer re-examining its role and redefining the Park Cemetery which included playground supervision. The arrangement use of some of its parkland. Mewata Park Chinese, Jewish and Catholic continued through to 1922 when Reader was commandeered for exclusive military sections along with a Field use and military teams made extensive of Honour. finally got the budget to hire playground above A kangaroo at the use of others, including Riley Park. Key program staff. Calgary Zoo, c 1920s. staff volunteered for military service. The In 1940, the department hired Richard The Parks department also provided situation was often challenging. Haughian as a playground supervisor to Glenbow archives na-1604-92 facilities for various athletic leagues, namely, assist Reader with the administration of The City-owned athletic fields at Victoria, Parks inherited the honour and respon- the rapidly expanding City recreation Mewata and Riley parks. These facilities sibility of commemorating the participation programs. This addition of staff suggested became even more important to Reader after and sacrifices of Calgarians in the First the Administration finally recognized the First World War. In 1919, Parks invested World War. These efforts included working demand for City recreation programs in upgrades at two of them. Mewata Park with various community members from was great — and growing. It was a major benefited from a new grandstand, and cricket 1922–1928 to plant boulevards along what breakthrough from Reader’s perspective, players in Riley Park reaped the benefit of is now Memorial Drive with a living legacy and though it was a long time coming, it two new pitches there. Later, in 1930, the of more than 3,000 trees. would prove short-lived. addition of a stadium in Mewata Park made it the city’s centre for organized sporting events.

50 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 51 In the fall of 1942, Reader retired from left Zoo on the grounds of St. George’s Island, The City, Haughian enlisted in the army c 1944. and Parks was left seriously understaffed. Reader’s successor, Arthur Morris, concen- Glenbow Archives na-5643-172b trated on the traditional role of horticulture in park development while everyone waited for the end of the Second World War.

The result was a recreation crisis in Calgary, prompting the Council of Social Agencies (a group created in the early 1930s to co- ordinate the various social agencies and ensure the efficient distribution of relief efforts), to conduct a survey on the city’s recreational needs and the level at which they were being met.

It was essentially a citizen satisfaction survey on quality of life, and Calgary failed miserably. In its 1945 report, the group made a number of suggestions for immedi- ate consideration, including creating a

pathway system between parks, providing Arthur Morris concentrated on amenities along the riverbanks, and sugg- the traditional role of horticulture in park esting the creation of an entirely separate development while everyone waited for recreation department. The City took the the end of the Second World War. report very seriously.

52 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 53 chapter three

The growing season

THIS PAGE Overlooking 1947–1976 Calgary from Nose Hill, c 1973.

54 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Glenbow Archives na-2864-23851 55 Calgary’s post-war parks system

this page Confederation Park Plan, 1965. plan: the city of calgary parks

Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 57 The growing season Calgarians of all ages wanted to play games, to compete in 3 organized sports, to cheer on their teams, to enjoy nature, to explore

1947–1976 their creativity. With its focus on horticulture, the Parks department could not be all things to all people.

he war years were over, the The schools, and a few of the community- economy was looking up with run facilities took care of their own, but the discovery of oil in Leduc, regular maintenance of the parks, play- people were desperate to be grounds and athletic fields was generally the happy. Calgarians of all ages responsibility of Parks staff. wanted to play games, to compete in organized sports, to cheer on The new Parks Superintendent, Alex Munro, their teams, to enjoy nature, to explore was a long-time employee under William their creativity. With its focus on horti- Reader and carried on in his tradition of civic culture, the Parks department could not be beautification, planting trees and flowers, all things to all people. and maintaining many of the ornamental gardens and grounds his mentor had created. The City promoted its Playground Director W. Garnett to director of the new Sports In the 1950s, Munro developed the Senator and Recreation division in 1947, and Patrick Burns Memorial Rock Gardens on officially drew the line between parks and the northeast slope of Riley Park. It would recreation for the first time. be the last of its kind in the city. Calgary, and its parks system, was growing too fast to The development and administration of afford staff the luxury of time and money to recreational amenities and programming plant and maintain these ornamental gems. gathered considerable momentum in the late 1940s and early 1950s as the general In 1952, the Province revised the Town public, community groups and organized and Rural Planning Act. Land developers sporting leagues jostled for facility space and The City promoted its Playground were now required to set aside 10 per cent of Director W. Garnett to director of the priority scheduling. new subdivision land as municipal reserve. new Sports and Recreation division in It could be used, at the municipality’s In 1950, a negotiated agreement between 1947, and officially drew the line between discretion, for the purpose of a school or a parks and recreation for the first time. Parks and the local school boards brought public park and recreation area. It would see schoolyards into the mix, making them This page Riley Park, 1954. The City’s parkland holdings keep pace with available for public playfields after-hours Glenbow archives NA-5600-7875c the phenomenal growth of the next 25 years. and on weekends. As the city grew and new schools were built, these joint use sites would become standard practice.

58 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 59 Calgary’s growth was explosive and planning would have to begin in earnest at all levels of The Corporation if it had any hope of holding things together. Parks planning was integral to the whole.

And it would pressure Parks, responsible for ges for the growing city, as conflicts between park development and maintenance, to do City departments made progress in any the same. direction difficult. City work crews regularly inflicted damage along freshly planted Calgary’s boundaries had remained untou- boulevards, digging them up to access ched since 1911, but the economic growth below Alex Munroe, underground utilities. Maturing poplar tree Superintendent, and prosperity in the area during the post- roots wreaked havoc on buried waterlines Parks/Recreation war years would change everything — a and sewer pipes. The Land department and department, 1955. total of 20 times. And as Calgary nearly dou- the Parks department engaged in regular right Calgary aerial bled in area, its population more than debate over who was responsible for what shot, 1984. quadrupled, from about 100,000 in 1947 property where.

The City of Calgary, Corporate Records, to more than 470,000 in 1976. Archives: CalA CR-92-005-020 Calgary’s growth was explosive and Two huge park development projects glenbow archives na-5654-62 The baby boom contributed to some of that were under way in the south part of the city. planning would have to begin in earnest In 1948, local businessman Eric Harvie had offered growth, though cert- at all levels of The Corporation if it had The City land and financial support to expand and ainly not all of it, any hope of holding things together. Parks develop Sandy Beach west. That same year, and Calgary’s parks planning was integral to the whole. plans for development of Glenmore Park were and playgrounds were finally moving forward, slowly. in greater demand After a long, respectable career with Parks, than ever. As new Munro retired in 1959. Harry Boothman, Both City projects were fraught with conflict subdivisions sprang the department’s British-born horticul- and indecision. Glenmore Park would be up, schools, small turalist, stepped up to take charge of man- in the making for no less than 15 years community parks and aging the busy department in 1960. (1946-61). Sandy Beach/River Park neighbourhood tot moved a little faster, but would lots dotted the land- Calgarians wanted more, bigger and better still take eight years from start to finish (1948-56). scape on the property places to play and Boothman was adamant set aside as munici- that parks should, above all else, accom- right Eric Harvie, c 1940s. pal reserve. modate the public. The small, decorative gardens with their high maintenance orna- glenbow archives pa-1599-446-38 The rash of new com- mentation weren’t working for anyone munities created un- anymore. Not the public and not Parks precedented challen- operations.

60 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 61 The City’s 1963 General Plan provided an excellent starting place. It contained the closest thing to a parks master plan since William Pearce’s cursory submission to Council in 1910, and the Mawson Plan of 1914. There were commonalities in all three plans, with reference to the impressive inventory of natural features including vast expanses along the river valley and dramatic scenic bluffs, and the value inherent to this native landscape from a parks perspective.

left Opening of Prince’s Boothman’s solution on the operations side In 1965, the Equestrian Advisory Council Island Park, c 1970. of things was to expand the scope of territory established an equestrian trail on the south glenbow archives NA-2864-5807a individual Parks foremen supervised, and side of Glenmore Park. A dirt trail complete to replace the existing one-man one-park with obstacles and jumps for cross-country maintenance regime with crew-style park equestrian events, it was clearly not intended maintenance city-wide. for general public or pedestrian use.

His approach to managing park develop- In 1969, Chinook Trail Association built a ment would be more democratic. He would mostly dirt walking path along the north listen to the people, help formulate and then side of the Bow River, west from the Zoo support and follow — a plan. to the Bearspaw Dam. This pathway accom- modated horses and pedestrians. Parks instal- The City’s 1963G eneral Plan provided an led signage along the trail. excellent starting place. It contained the closest thing to a parks master plan since Then, in 1970, the federal government’s William Pearce’s cursory submission to Opportunities for Youth program provided Council in 1910, and the Mawson Plan funds to design and build The City’s first of 1914. There were commonalities in all complete trail along the Elbow River from three plans, with reference to the impressive the Bow River to the Glenmore Reservoir. inventory of natural features including vast While horseback riding remained a permit- expanses along the river valley and dramatic ted use, pedestrians and cyclists were top scenic bluffs, and the value inherent to this of mind during construction. It was a start. distributed in smaller bits throughout the By the early 1960s, citizens regularly native landscape from a parks perspective. Point A, so to speak. communities. established the identity of their neighbour- hoods, the validity of their expectations, All three plans also referenced the need to The 1963 General Plan proposed a parks TheP lan stressed the importance of reason and a channel to communicate those needs connect the parks and open spaces, to each classification system that categorized and design behind the city’s open spaces, to their municipal government by first other and to the people of Calgary, with a individual properties in accordance with noting a series of odd patches left over after forming local community associations. network of pathways and scenic boulevards. their size and intended use. About 3,130 the best sites had been chosen for buildings This point had been reiterated in the acres of unrestricted open space was and streets, did not a park system make. The City encouraged them in their efforts. Council of Social Agencies Report of 1945, included in the various categories. Two With Boothman’s consent, Calgary’s park The logic was simple. No one was better and although Parks wouldn’t formalize thirds of Parks’ inventory was determined system would be heavily influenced by suited to meet the social and recreational a pathway plan for another 25 years, the to be larger, multi-use regional parks public opinion, citizen engagement and needs of individual communities than the idea of pathways was slowing taking off. and natural parkland, with the balance collaboration from this point forward. communities themselves. Power to the people, and all that.

62 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 63 Prince’s Island, and the surrounding riverbank area was first developed during the 1880sPeter by Prince of the Eau Claire Sawmill Co. and the Calgary Water Power Company.

A close-up below Naturally, organized communities started Confederation Park in the city’s northwest Another particularly influential citizen of the plan of speaking with each other, and common is a great example of community will group, the Calgary Beautification Assoc- Confederation Park, interests and agendas surfaced. With urban and influence. In November 1964, Eric iation, was active about the same time. c 1966. development moving full bore, the fate of Musgreave, the president of both the Chief Justice C.C. McLaurin headed-up the city of calgary corporate records, archives cala cr-92-005-104 undeveloped public land was guaranteed to Rosemont Community Association and the the Association, incorporated in 1966, and be a hot topic. And where there was a strong North Hill Centennial Committee, wrote pressed for the development of Prince’s will, community resources, and a plan, there to the mayor asking to be involved in the Island Park as its inaugural project. was a movement led by a public champion. development of the North Calgary Parkway. Prince’s Island, and the surrounding river- The City had just laid out the bank area was first developed during the large tract of land for future park 1880s by Peter Prince of the Eau Claire development in its General Plan Sawmill Co. and the Calgary Water Power and Musgreave’s committee was Company. The island served to protect log organized and at-the-ready to get booms in the river and did not see a great things started. The letter provided deal of traffic. It functioned more as a space specific (tangible) projects the than a place. Much of the open space that had escaped ABOVE Aerial view of committee was prepared to sponsor, Prince’s Island, 1985. including the construction of William Pearce had proposed the island the encroachment of Calgary’s urbanization GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-5654-160 wading pools, the planting of be used as a park back in 1910. The City to date had remained relatively untouched, trees, and the purchase of park purchased the island in 1947 and since then, not by plan, but by default. amenities such as playground had only got as far as labelling it a Regional Development of the Bow River embank- equipment, tennis courts, Park of special significance in its 1966 ment, steep hillsides and low-lying marsh- benches, bridges and fountains. Downtown Master Plan. land (i.e. Fish Creek Park) had either been Boothman signed up Parks for this McLaurin and the Calgary Beautification too inconvenient, too difficult or too expen- collaborative effort. Musgreave’s Association wasted no time from there. sive to pursue. committee formalized as the They commissioned an independent study Nose Hill Park was one other situation Centennial Ravine Park Society, of Prince’s Island and the Bow River where mitigating circumstance proved effec- and three years later, in honour banks to determine its feasibility for park tive at holding off developers. Though zoned of Canada’s 100th birthday, development. In 1967, The City hired an for development, the panoramic real estate Confederation Park was already architectural firm to draw up a master plan was in direct line with the flight path for realizing its potential as an for the park’s development and Prince’s the Calgary airport, and rendered unfit for expansive urban park venue. Island opened to the public in 1970. residential development accordingly.

64 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 65 Parks Superintendent Harry Boothman died in office in 1976. There can be little doubt that his passion for working with Calgarians to ensure the most desirable outcome for all raised the caliber of the parks themselves.

By the late 1960s though, the development anything The City had ever experienced. industry had grown extremely ambitious and The Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society and competition within the industry, aggressive. 10 community associations joined forces in ardent protest. The only thing that seemed to be forever shrinking was the supply of available land. At the request of the community associations, university professors weighed Between 1966 and 1973, The City struggled in on the matter, adding authority to the repeatedly to stave off development of the community’s unmitigated passion. Council Fish Creek flood plain, which was in grave ultimately prepared and approved a sector danger of encroachment by adjacent land plan protecting Nose Hill from development developers. Public support for the creation and Nose Hill was saved as a future of a park came on strong with Southwood Regional Park in April 1973, with 4,100 resident Rosa Gorrill leading the Fish acres put aside as proposed parkland. Creek Centennial Park Committee, and marshalling an army of separate but equally Parks Superintendent Harry Boothman died outraged organizations. In 1973, the in office in 1976. There can be little doubt Province stepped in and purchased the land that his passion for working with Calgarians as part of a new urban park development to ensure the most desirable outcome for all program. The people had spoken and Fish raised the caliber of the parks themselves. Creek Park had been saved. It also went a long way toward raising the profile of the Parks department as a whole. In the meantime, jets had arrived up at the airport and Calgary’s runways and terminal needed immediate upgrades. The airport was moved to new, larger facilities further north. The flight paths changed accordingly and Nose Hill came out of the land freeze in 1969. left Harry Boothman, c 1970s. The proposed development of a combined opposite Aerial view of subdivision and Regional Park on Nose Hill Calgary, AB., 1985. in 1970 provoked a public battle cry unlike GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-5654-129 photo: the city of calgary parks

66 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 67 This page City skyline from present day Rotary Park, 1970.

Glenbow Archives na-2864-5311

chapter four

A respectable harvest

1977–2000

68 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 69 Boomtime in Calgary’s park system

this page Plan of Shaw Millenium, 2010.

plan: the city of calgary parks

Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 71 The threat of human activity to Calgary’s natural areas had likely raised a few A respectable harvest eyebrows along the way, but up until the work of groups like the Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society in the 1960s, the value and fragility of the natural environment 4 itself was never fully appreciated. As an example, during the mid-1950s an entire wetland was filled in to construct a new park in Knob Hill. It had seemed like

1977–2000 the perfect solution.An unsightly, useless bog in an upscale neighbourhood was replaced with a lovely community park.

arks Superintendent Harry its voice into a powerful Boothman’s death coincided and pointed tool that with a shift in the department’s all branches of the civic approach to managing Calgary’s government were wise to parks and open spaces. In heed and wield in careful keeping with an emerging measure. corporate culture City-wide, the Admin- istration behind Parks took a back seat to The first natural area the administration of parks. to be protected in Calgary goes back to 1929. It Planning and policy development super- was then that Colonel seded the personal preferences, vision and Walker’s son Selby succ- principles of the individuals in charge. Policy essfully asked the federal documents would begin to define general government to designate Parks goals and functions, and outline a 59 acres of his father’s decision making process. The department’s estate on the west side of objective was consistency, and ongoing the Bow River in Ingle- relevance to the needs of Calgarians. wood as a federal migra- tory bird sanctuary. And there had been a shift there too. Forty years later when the The desire to change Calgary’s natural Calgary Bird Club became the Calgary above Nose Hill Park, landscape so that it conformed to society’s Field Naturalists’ Society (1969), the 2008. left Inglewood idea of beautiful (i.e. so that it looked and Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was positioned Bird Sanctuary, 2007. felt more like back home) had run its course. to become the cornerstone of natural areas photos: the City of Calgary Calgary was home to the current generation. programming in Calgary. There was a newfound appreciation for the region’s natural landscapes and a Fearing the sanctuary might succumb to strong desire to preserve and even, where the pressure of urban development, the necessary, restore Calgary’s natural areas. Society presented a convincing argument on the educational value of natural areas for Society in general had evolved. The public school children living in the urban setting. It was well educated and had found and honed pointed to the need to introduce and protect

72 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 73 The Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society’s tradition of inspiring the public to be involved in understanding, interpreting, and saving Calgary’s ecosystem continues. In 2006, the society published JimFoley’s Calgary’sNatural Parks: Yours to Explore.

(top to bottom) opposite a new category of parkland — natural area Dr. C.D. Bird, associate professor of Botany Members of Nose Hill parks, in and through which children could at the University of Calgary, co-ordinated Steering Comittee on learn the natural history of their native land. the efforts of skilled volunteers to conduct Nose Hill, 1980, deer the survey. The result was an inventory of at the Inglewood Bird It was a compelling argument fortified by Calgary’s natural areas, the flora and fauna sanctuary, 2007, and a a sense of urgency. The City of Calgary boardwalk in Bowmont in existence prior to urban growth, and man- purchased the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Natural Environment agement recommendations to mitigate the in 1970, and established nature education Park, 2010. effects. Dr. Bird presented the report to the programming from there. (Members of GLENBOW ARCHIVES pA-3198-1 mayor in early 1973. Two years later, the photos: the City of calgary Society published Calgary’s Natural Areas: The success achieved with influencing City A Popular Guide. The word was out. Now below American white policy and saving the bird sanctuary encour- it was just a matter of time before under- pelicans and double- aged the Field Naturalists to initiate a standing, saving and interpreting the eco- crested cormorants, second natural areas committee in 1972. system would be integral to Parks’ day-to- at the Inglewood Bird Their proposal was modest enough. Why day operations. Sanctuary, 2007. not get members of the Calgary Field photo: the city of calgary Naturalists’ Society to put their considerable To be eligible for available recreation fund- observation skills to use collecting data on ing, the provincial government required areas threatened with development? municipalities to have a current, long-range plan for recreation and park development. So in 1976, The City of Calgary Parks/Rec- reation department prepared a Policy State- ment and Planning Recommendation report.

It reiterated the familiar philosophy that the department existed to promote personal development and well-being for people of all ages through leisure time opportunities. What was new in this document was a focus on the protection, preservation and enhancement of the environment for all to enjoy, and the championing of this mission as a civic responsibility within Parks.

74 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 75 In 1978, Parks/Recreation established a planning section to help roll out the various recommendations presented in the 1976 report. Until that time, park planning had been the responsibility of The City’s Planning department. This new sectionconnected the process of planning for parks more closely to the buisiness of park development and operations.

As part of the overall research behind the The shortage of parks and park document, Calgarians had been invited to amenities in the downtown core provide input through a public survey on their and inner city communities was recreational needs and desires. The growing identified as a problem that would public interest and appreciation of envi- need to be addressed. Calgary’s ronmental issues was evident in the results. oldest neighbourhoods had not had the benefit of municipal reserves. Recreational choices and trends revealed As apartments and multi-family a desire for more spontaneous individual units replaced individual homes activities like jogging, cycling and hiking. there, higher densities amplified People wanted, among other things, more an already troublesome shortfall. pathways, nature trails and interpretive Pedestrian walks and bikeways programming. This urban population valued were recommended for new and Calgary’s open spaces and topographical redeveloped communities to provide diversity, and they wanted access to it. a link to the major parks and open space system beyond. The report made a number of recom- mendations to improve the protection of This 1976 document was a com- natural features and access to the city’s prehensive policy statement for The open spaces. Formalizing a river park City of Calgary Parks/Recreation; system was a priority. All natural areas a physical manifestation of intent that remained in the river valleys (i.e. the moving forward. Parks’ newest Weaselhead, Nose Hill and Beddington Director, Fred McHenry, brought above A family Creek escarpments) were to be preserved. it forward to Council. picnicking in Marlborough Minimum setbacks were suggested to Park, 2010. left Winter buffer the riverbank and escarpments In 1981, Parks/Recreation upgraded this along the river. Prince’s from future development. Continued earlier statement document with the Island Park, 2008. development of the pathway system along publication of the Policy and System Plan. waterways and open spaces was a must. It was intended to provide a roadmap for the photos: the city of calgary A system of pedestrian bridges linking the next 10 years of leisure services in Calgary. pathways and park resources to residential areas was also part of the plan. Not surprisingly, the Plan featured the river parks system that William Pearce

76 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 77 The Parks Foundation Calgary was another important addition in the spectrum of public involvement in parks in 1985.

left Eau Claire had initiated in 1884, and which Reader, It was another win-win situation for Calgary Promenade, 2005. Mawson, Lady Lougheed’s Local Council as a whole. Public volunteers were happily of Women, Boothman, and more recently, engaged in making a tangible difference Photo: the city of calgary everyday Calgarians, had determined to in their communities (many learning new be worthy of protecting — from urban skills and making new friends along the development, from the CPR’s urban renewal way). Community flowerbeds and public scheme in the 1960s, and from undue parks were maintained at a higher level than human impact. what The City could afford to do on its own, Though the Calgary River Valleys Plan is increasing civic pride for everyone. And dated 1984, it was ultimately the result of Parks Operations staff could step-up the a grand vision and concerted efforts going level of maintenance in the larger, regional back all those 100 years. parks enjoyed by all.

The recommendation that an open space The Parks Foundation Calgary was another park system be created in Calgary, and that important addition in the spectrum of land use controls be introduced within that public involvement in parks in 1985. park system to reduce the impact of human Founding members Norm Harburn and activity and flooding, had a resounding, Terry Hawitt saw the need for an arm’s- hauntingly familiar echo to it. length organization to inspire and co- ordinate community volunteer initiatives As public awareness and appreciation for that preserve Calgary’s natural beauty and Calgary’s parkland continued to grow, so ecologically significant river valleys, ensure Parks Foundation Calgary remains true to Planning Advisory committees were set too did community interest and hands-on new parks and open spaces are developed, its original intent, relevant and active to up for each of the five study areas along citizen involvement in park development and encourage amateur sport. this day as a valued partner with The City of Calgary’s main waterways. Working in and operations. Calgary Parks on a number of key initiatives. concert with local landscape architecture One of the Foundation’s first projects was firms, these committees co-ordinated fundraising for development of James In 1985, The City introduced its popular In 1989, with Director Ken Bosma at the community involvement. Multiple public Short Park (1991). Built on the old school Adopt-a-Park program. It encouraged indi- helm and provincial funding at the ready, information sessions garnered interest site, plans for the park creatively combined vidual citizens and citizen groups to help Parks & Recreation initiated the next step and participation. A public opinion survey the need for open space and parking in care for and maintain the green spaces, toward realizing the much anticipated river (Pulse on Parks) collected more than 45,000 the downtown. An underground parkade parks or flowerbeds within their own park system. The Urban Park project would responses, and these, in turn provided provided function. The new city park above communities. elevate the role of public engagement in critical data, and welcome reassurance enhanced the urban form. park planning to invaluable status. that Parks was indeed on the right track.

78 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 79 In 1991, the 18-hectare property of Tom Campbell’s Hill was designated a park after years of pragmatic use— from grazing cattle to pasturing exotic zoo animals. Today the park is enjoyed as a multi-use site and includes one of Calgary’s 138 off-leash dog areas. Tom Campbell’s Hill overlooks the Bow River in the northeast part of the city. Its patches of rough fescue grassland, aging poplar trees and diverse bird population provide a gentle but striking contrast to the city’s skyline visible to the west. First the hill and then the park was named after a large sign advertising Tom Campell’s Hats. That sign became such a familiar landmark in the 1930s that no one would have imagined calling the place by any other name.

(top-bottom, Calgarians were appreciative and supportive and to reduce maintenance requirements. opposite left-right) Tom Campbell’s of their parks and the river valley system as Carburn Park is a naturalized park. Hill, wading in Riley Park, a whole. They agreed with expansion of the canoeing down the channel system, primarily through natural areas, The final category was manicured parks, in Bowness Park, playing pathways and trails. designed as the traditional high main- tenance groomed parks to be used inten- catch in Prince’s Island Park, 2010. A biophysical assessment of the study area sively for sport, picnicking, festivals and continued the tradition introduced by the other gatherings where large numbers of Photos: the city of calgary Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society in the park users are anticipated. Prince’s Island is 1970s. It recommended the creation of three a prime example of this type of park. distinct park categories. Several years of focused and collaborative The first type was designed to provide for the effort culminated in Council’s approval of preservation and maintenance of currently the Urban Park Master Plan in 1994. undisturbed natural areas and enhancement of existing natural features. Human access The Plan aimed to create significant open to these areas would be limited. The space to ensure Calgarians had ready access Weaselhead is a good example of this type to the natural environment. It initiated the of preservation park. development of those areas in a manner that would support sustained and unimpaired Naturalized parks were those designed to use for outdoor recreation. And with com- rehabilitate previously disturbed areas for munity involvement the hallmark of the less-intensive park use. The intent was to Plan itself, it established public input as create a more natural appearance through integral to both the process and its success. the re-establishment of native vegetation

80 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 81 this page A family rafting down the Elbow River during the summer months, 2009.

photo: the city of calgary

82 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 83 left Runners along the While the Parks planning section used pen Calgary’s premium skate park, the largest of Bow River pathway system and paper to draft the future of Calgary’s its kind in all of North America, was built near Prince’s Island Park. parks and natural areas, the operational on a section of the city’s original west end below Shaw Millennium side of Parks kept busy out in the field, park. That’s right. The land that had sat Park, 2009. establishing new parks, and maintaining all derelict for the first 20 years of Calgary’s the others. park history because it was too out-of-the- photos: the city of calgary way to attract any public attention was to New natural area parks established at become a magnet for young thrill seekers this time include Tom Campbell’s Hill, from around the world. Bowmont, Bearspaw and Clearwater.

The 1988 Calgary Olympic Games intro- duced an unexpected opportunity to create Shaw Millennium Park is Calgary’s premium skate park, a new city park in the heart of the the largest of its kind in all of North downtown. Olympic Plaza was a special America, was built on a section of gathering place from the beginning, and the city’s original west end park. continues to attract high-profile events and

culturally diverse crowds.

And then there’s Shaw Millennium Park. Looking ahead to the year 2000, this park was a reflection of the department’s determination, under Parks and Recreation Director Kenn Knights, to remain relevant and responsive to the public’s recreational wants and needs.

Where just about everywhere else in the city people were navigating toward nature, a large sector of active urban youth was calling for smooth modulated concrete, ledges, banks, bowls, pipes and rails.

84 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks chapter five

A bountiful future

2001–onward

photo composite: the city of calgary

86 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 87 Calgary’s park system in the new millennium

opposite page Number Park name

1 fish Creek Provincial Park 2 nose Hill Park 3 north Glenmore Park 4 bowmont Park 5 elliston Park 6 Haskayne Legacy Park 7 Weaselhead 8 edworthy Park; Lawrey Gardens 9 south Glenmore Park 10 twelve-Mile Coulee 11 edgemont Ravines 12 shouldice Park 13 southland Park 14 beaverdam Flats 15 Confederation Park 16 sandy Beach; River Park 17 Carburn Park 18 laycock Park 19 tom Campbell’s Hill 20 bottomlands Park 21 pearce Estate 22 prairie Winds Park 23 prince’s Island Park 24 stanley Park 25 riley Park 26 bowness Park 27 shaw Millennium 28 griffith Woods 29 big Marlborough Park 30 inglewood Bird Sanctuary 31 reader Rock Garden

left Park areas and cemeteries, 1937.

plan: city of calgary parks

Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 89 A bountiful future In 2002, Parks published itsOpen Space Plan, a comprehensive source of policy and direction regarding Calgary’s public open space system. 5 The culmination of years of study, this single document fused both early and emerging ideas about Parks management with the mass of policy documents 2001–onward developed since the 1980s.

left Laurel leaf willow in arks Superintendent Harry park system for the benefit of the parks and Confederation Park, 2007. Boothman had summarized the public. the partnership between Parks photo: the city of calgary and Recreation as one where The intrinsic benefit of trees is something Parks was the landlord and Calgarians have suspected, and valued, Recreation was the tenant. even before they planted them. It’s why they In 2000, the department split into separate planted them. Pretty much all of them. One operational units to focus on their respective look at a photograph of Calgary, circa. 1880, lines of business. makes it perfectly clear. Trees were not indigenous to the prairie grassland. With Dave Breckon installed as general manager, Parks moved on with the admin- Calgarians were encouraged to plant trees istration of The City’s natural areas, urban on their own (private) property as early as forests, wetlands, pathways, playgrounds 1884 when the Town started offering spruce and playfields. In addition to park planning trees at a cost of five cents each. Similar and development activities, and day-to- subsidized programs were available on and day maintenance, it would continue with off right through to 1968, at which point research and policy work in the interest of the rate of residential development simply preserving Calgary’s natural assets for all to outpaced City resources. enjoy for all time. The civic government introduced its first tree In 2002, Parks published its Open Space planting program along Atlantic Avenue Plan, a comprehensive source of policy (now Ninth Avenue S.E.) in 1895. Its first and direction regarding Calgary’s public tree protection bylaw came four years later. open space system. The culmination of years of study, this single document fused Accidents, abuse and the conflicting interests both early and emerging ideas about Parks of thriving root systems, underground management with the mass of policy utilities and other City departments took its documents developed since the 1980s. toll on the boulevard trees. Keeping them out of harm’s way proved a full-time, albeit The Open Space Plan aimed to establish futile job for a special boulevard policeman links between the park system and the William Reader hired and retained up until natural ecosystem of the Calgary region. It the First World War. promoted a mandate for stewardship of the

90 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 91 The challenge remains nearly 100 years later In 2007, Parks received Council’s sign-off as Urban Forestry technicians continue to on its current version of the Urban Forestry advise and educate people on the importance Plan: Calgary... a city of trees. This document of protecting public trees. emphasizes the health of Calgary’s trees and shrubs, and the need for continued Calgary’s first comprehensive tree mana- public collaboration. Accordingly, Parks gement policy, the Urban Forestry Manage- introduced various initiatives that promote ment Plan, was approved by Council in public engagement in growing, tending and 1988. It set a target ratio of one tree for every loving the urban forest. two people in the city. That meant planting thousands of trees to keep up with growth, By the early 1990s, Parks’ responsibilities and thousands more to compensate for any had expanded to include water management. part of the forest lost to the forces of nature In 2007 Council adopted The City of or human activity. Calgary Parks Water Management Strategic Plan. Its intent: to sustain the health of Parks addressed the age-old conflicts plant material growing in The City’s Their highly public profile makes parks the between trees, public abuse, City utilities open spaces, recreational sites and land- natural venue of choice for public art exhibits and road construction head-on in 2002 scaped areas, while conserving water and and installations in Calgary. In recent years, when it introduced the first tree protection financial resources. The City of Calgary has added several works bylaw since 1899. The bylaw requires public to the local landscape for all to experience, trees be protected during development Irrigation isn’t exactly new to Parks. The including that of world-renowned artists activity. It prohibits defacing, or attaching department installed its first irrigation Beverly Pepper (Sentinels – Ralph Klein Park) anything to any City tree in any way. And system in 1912. What is new is the scope of and Barbara Paterson (Women are persons! – below Griffith Woods, it requires advance notice of pruning or Parks’ water management in 21st century Olympic Plaza). The art contributes another, 2007. planting activities planned by other City Calgary. Calgary’s strategy involves con- cultural layer to the richness and diversity of photo: the city of calgary departments or anyone in the private sector. trolling every feasible dimension, from appli- the city’s public places. cation to conservation, drainage and erosion control to water recovery. It’s not just about

keeping trees, shrubs, flowers and grass above and left alive and beautiful anymore. (top to bottom) Ralph Klein Park Education Centre It’s about keeping the entire ecosystem and Beverly Pepper - healthy and sustainable. Sentinels, 2010.

photos: city of calgary

92 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 93 left Four of the six Landscapes of Celebration for The City of Calgary Parks’ 100-year The Six Landscapes 1 anniversary in 2010. 1. Pergola Music by of Celebration Field Sound (Douglas Moffat and Steve Bates.)

2. Big Sky by North Design Office (Pete North).

3. The Centennial 2 Grove by IBI/Landplan (Yogeshwar Navagraph and Garth Balls).

4. Come play in our Garden/Passe-moi un sapin by Rita (Stéphane Halmaï Voisard and Karine Corbeil).

photos: the city of calgary

3 In recognition and honour of The City of Calgary Parks’ 100-year anniversary in 2010, Olympic Plaza featured six Landscapes of Celebration, including a display from the internationally acclaimed Jardins de Métis festival. It encouraged Calgarians to interact with the art and the park in new ways. Naturally, the more attractive a city is, the more people want to live there. More people means more land development for housing, 4 and for all the connecting infrastructure.

94 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 95 6

5

Two of the six Lanscapes As development in Calgary spilled out onto So in 2004, Parks published The City of of Celebration: the prairie, area wetlands were at risk of Calgary’s Wetland Conservation Plan, a Above 5. Picnic by spmb annihilation. collaborative work with external stake- (Eduardo Aquino, Matthew holders that established procedures for the Baker, Ralph Glor, and Wetlands provide critical habitat for wild- protection of priority urban wetlands, and Karen Shanski. life and an important means of water quality a no-net-loss policy for wetlands in areas of opposite page control. An estimated 90 per cent of the pre- future development. 6. I’m not a Gopher settlement wetland system in and around by Carson McCulloch Calgary had already been lost. It put leading edge conservation at least two Associates (Kristina steps ahead of the bulldozers. And with The remaining 10 per cent needed immedi- Meehan-Prins and everyone’s co-operation and support, it will Jonathan Sagi). ate protection. keep the wetlands right where they are.

photos: The city of calgary

96 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 97 Today, Parks is establishingCultural a Landscape Strategic Plan aimed at acknowledging the historic significance of other Calgary gems including Central Memorial, Bowness, Riley and Confederation parks, to name a few.

That’s the hinges on its ability to clincher pick up on current trends, really. respond to public needs, distribute meaningful, All the practical advice, and secure citizen support, policy all in good measure. docu- ments and It requires innovative ways to finance all of the special places and things. The enmax Legacy Parks Program has been a godsend for Calgary in that respect.

In July 2003, Mayor Dave Bronconnier announced $50 million in dividends from the City-owned enmax Energy Corp- oration would go into an enmax Legacy Parks Program to acquire and develop parkland over a five-year period. The enmax Legacy Fund would create a critical mass of funding dedicated to the development and re-development of specific parks projects. Above Historic postcard of Bowness Park, c 1920s. conservation In 2007, Council voted to extend the opposite page The plans on the planet are nothing more than ink enmax Legacy Parks Program with an Reader Rock Garden was on a page if people aren’t paying them any additional $75 million in dedicated park restored as part of the heed. funding, making it the most significant ENMAX Legacy Parks single source of capital funding for Parks It’s nothing new. Public program, 2007. projects in Calgary’s history. historic postcard courtesy of mr. roe education and engage- photo opposite: the city of calgary ment in Parks business has been a All of the work is an investment in Calgary’s prerequisite for success all along. future; some projects more than others, a tribute to the past. Parks’ success in its first 100 years, and the next 100, for that matter, The fund made it possible for Parks to realize

98 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 99 right Fountain at Central unique initiatives related to the conservation down to individual park benches and Memorial Park, 2010. of Calgary’s historical landscapes. Reader garbage cans. That program then opposite page Plan of Rock Garden’s cultural landscape was the interfaces with another software Ralph Klein Park, 2010. first to be restored. The project manager was program, Parks Asset Reporting photo and map: the city of calgary Anne Charlton, a landscape architect by and Information System (PARIS), profession who became Parks’ first female to help staff manage the inven- director in 2007. tory, track and schedule life- cycle maintenance. Today, Parks is establishing a Cultural Landscape Strategic Plan aimed at acknow- Free wi-fi in the public domain is a similar ledging the historic significance of other phenomenon. People have come to expect it Calgary gems including Central Memorial, just about everywhere. Not wanting to disap- Bowness, Riley and Confederation parks, to point, Parks wired Central Memorial name a few. Park for free wi-fi during its refur- bishment in 2010. It’s expected other parks Global Positioning will follow. System (GPS) technology is used in geocaching, a With scores more park projects high-tech treasure hunt that’s already plotted on the horizon for gaining in popularity around as long as the Legacy funding lasts, the world. As part of its Parks is realizing the vision its 100-year celebrations, 100 forefathers could only dream about. caches were hidden in various And then some, the likes of which Encouraging citizen engagement in environmentally friendly gardening and yard care Calgary parks. Using donated could never have been imagined. practices is the cornerstone of a popular public program at The City. The Healthy Yards program GPS devices checked out provides homeowners with tools and education to effectively manage their backyards using from the public library, or Technology has introduced a horticultural best practices. geocaching applications whole new layer of sophistication Parks’ Integrated Pest Management team launched this successful program with two other City downloaded to their cell to Parks’ business operations and business units: Water Services and Waste and Recycling Services. Water conservation, phones, Calgarians were public offerings. composting and selecting appropriate plants for Calgary’s climate are important components of the invited to explore the parks Healthy Yards experience. for their hidden treasures. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software pinpoints Citizens, communities and The City of Calgary are working together to ensure a healthy future the exact location of Parks’ This same year, Parks introduced a 10-year for Calgary and generations of Calgarians yet to come. assets on a map citywide, right strategic plan for cemeteries that calls for

100 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 101 In his 1930 annual report, William Reader envisioned the possibility of a bridle path stretching all the way from Calgary to Banff. He imagined it would be for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike.

the construction of The City’s portion of their estate along the Elbow first new cemetery since River to be set aside as a nature preserve. Queen’s Park was started in In 2000, Griffith Woods Regional Park 1938. Technology will have opened to the public. Located along a place there too, though no Elbow River in the city’s southwest, this headstone. spectacular 93- hectare park is classified as a Special Protection Natural Environment There won’t be anyP ark because of its overall environmental headstones. The green sensitivity and significance. Pathways cemetery is to be located meander through the dense forest growth adjacent to Ralph of mature white spruce. Boardwalks traverse Klein Park. Individual the many wetlands. Interpretive signage graves will be rounds out the experience for nature- marked using a Global loving visitors. Positioning System (GPS) exclusively. It’s the way of the In 2001, The City joined the provincial gov- new millennium. ernment in designating Twelve Mile Coulee a park on the northwest edge of the city’s If the start of the new limits. The Coulee was named for its position, Above Griffith Woods millennium is a reflection of what to expect roughly 12 miles from the post office at Regional Park, 2007. in the future, Calgary’s park system is in opposite page extraordinarily good shape heading into the Fort Calgary. It once served as a mail drop Weaselhead Natural next 100 years. The entire Calgary region on the old stagecoach run to Cochrane. Environment Park, 2007. will be connected. Today it offers fresh air, hiking trails and photos: the city of calgary picture perfect scenery. In addition to the capital growth afforded Parks through In his 1930 annual report, William Reader the ENMAX Legacy Parks envisioned the possibility of a bridle path windfall, private land donations stretching all the way from Calgary to Banff. and collaboration from the He imagined it would be for the enjoyment Government of Alberta cont-inues to grow of locals and tourists alike. the expanse of publicly owned parkland. His dream of such an extensive pathway Wilbur and Betty Griffith donated a system might have been farfetched at the

102 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 103 left Central Park, c 1920s. opposite page Central Memorial Park, 2010.

glenbow archives na-1604-94

opposite page photo: the City of calgary

beginning of the Great Depression, but at the Bearspaw Reservoir, directly across the beginning of the 21st century, thanks from the future Bearspaw Legacy Park. to recent donations of land along the river The two parks run parallel to the Bow valley, that dream was about to become River heading west, and represent a critical a reality. link in the Bow River Valley parks system. Then the Harvie family and the provincial The Haskayne family donated $5 million government struck a charitable land deal to in land toward The City’s future 360-acre create Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, a Haskayne Legacy Park on the east side of 3,400-acre foothills and grassland park that starts where Haskayne Legacy Park is set

104 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 105 Timeline

Bowness park glenbow archives: na-4355-31 St. George’s Bridge glenbow archives na-2114-4 Shaganappi Golf Course. glenbow archives na-1604-60 glenbow Archives na-1604-92

- 1890 The Town leased early 1900s Central (Memorial) St. George’s, St. Andrew’s Park was created. 1890s Union Cemetery and St. Patrick’s islands from 1908 The Calgary Horticultural was established. the Dominion Government. Society was established.

1909 The Parks Board was created. 1915 Reader established 1920s Calgary Zoo was established. Shaganappi Golf course left Dinny at the Calgary Zoo, c 1950s. 1910 John Buchanan, the firstP arks Historic postcard collection courtesy of mr. roe. 1880s Prince’s Island was superintendent was hired. (site of the former cemetery). union cemetery glenbow archives na-2854-43 developed by Peter Prince from the Eau Claire Sawmill 1910 Ezra Houndsfield Riley Company and by the Calgary donated land for use as a public Water Power Company. park, known as Riley Park. 1867 1900 1915 1930

1910 James Shouldice donated land 1914 The Vacant Lots Garden Club 1916 Reader began to build 1928 Central Park was renamed to be used for games, sports and was established. playgrounds in parks. Memorial Park when the cenotaph other recreational activities, known and memorial benches were added. as Shouldice Park.

Canadian Pacific Railway gardens, c 1908. glenbow archives: pa-762-5 1911 William Iverson became the second Parks superintendent. 1917 The Calgary Playground 1922 Burnsland Cemetery Association was created through was established. Treaty 7 was signed, 1877 1913 The Parks Board disbanded. collaboration between Maude 1922—1928 Parks inherited the delineating land boundaries Riley and William Reader. 1894 The Town of Calgary 1913 William R. Reader became honour and responsibility of between the First Nations Vacant lots garden club, glenbow archives: na-1604-85 became incorporated as Parks’ third superintendent, moved commemorating Calgarians in and settlers in Alberta. The City of Calgary. into the house at Union Cemetery and WWI and planted boulevards along started working on the ‘Rockery’ at what is now Memorial Drive. Reader Rock Garden.

Below, left to right central (memorial) Park, early 1900s, mr. roe. Playground, glenbow archives: na-1604-72 left St. George’s Island Glenbow archives: NA-1604-74 World War I began. William reader, glenbow archives: na-2755-12 1914 1918 World War I ended. Trees along memorial drive, glenbow Archives na-2864-6771

1883 The arrival of the below family picknicking, glenbow archives: na-2755-12 railroad and subsequent influx of settlers.

1867 Confederation; 1884 Calgary officially Canada became a country. became a Town.

106 Timeline 2000s Calgary hosted the Olympic Games, which introduced an opportunity to create a new city park continued. in the heart of downtown, called Olympic Plaza.

confederation park bridge, 2007. Inglewood glenbow archives: na-5093-324 Prince’s Island Park, 2010. Photo: city of calgary eau claire, 2010. Photo: the city of calgary City of Calgary Archives Photos Box 9 110-15-070c. 1988 Photo: the City of calgary

1940 Queen’s Park Cemetery 1970 Prince’s Island Park 1973 Council protected 1988 Calgary hosted the Olympic Games, which 2005 Reader Rock was established. opened to the public. Nose Hill Park from introduced an opportunity to create a new city park Garden was restored. development, setting in the heart of downtown, called Olympic Plaza. 1940s The Council of Social 1970s The Calgary Field Agencies recommended The City aside 4,100 acres for 2007 Dawn Thome was Naturalists’ Society was 1988 Ken Bosma became director of Parks. appointed acting director create a pathway system. instrumental in shifting proposed parkland. 1988 Council approved the Urban Forestry for Parks. 1942/43 Reader retired and died the focus from ornamental Management Plan which set a target ratio shortly after, Arthur Morris became parks to natural area of one tree for every two people in Calgary. 2007 Anne Charlton the Parks superintendent. preservation. became director of Parks. 1990s Parks’ responsibilities 1970 The City purchased the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary expanded to include water and established nature management. education programming. 1945 glenbow archives na-2864-5807a 1960 1975 2000 1929 Shelby Walker 1960s Calgary’s growth prompted 1976 Parks Superintendent Harry Boothman died. (Colonel Walker’s son) Parks Superintendent Harry 1991 The Pulse on Parks 2007 Council adopted successfully petitioned Boothman to change the way 1977 Fred McHenry became the survey was distributed The City of Calgary Water the federal government Parks Operations cared for park new Parks director. to every every Calgary Management Strategic Plan. to designate 59 acres space; from a “one man -one park” household. 1977 Devonian Gardens opened to the public and 2009 Central Memorial of his father’s estate as maintenance regime to crew-style is among the world’s largest indoor public green 1994 Council approved the Park was restored, including a bird sanctuary. park maintenance city-wide. spaces. Devonian Gardens were made possible by Urban Park Master Plan. wireless internet capability. a donation from the Devonian Foundation. 1960 Citizens began to establish 2010 Dedication of 1950s Parks Superintendent The Adopt-a-Park 1994 Jim Allison stepped in 1930 St. Mary’s Cemetery was community associations. 1985 Ralph Kein Park as part Alex Munroe created Senator where as acting director for The City established. program began, of the ENMAX Legacy Patrick Burns Memorial citizens and citizen groups of Calgary Parks. 1967 The Calgary Tower was built Parks Program. Rock Gardens. in 1967 as a Canadian Centennial help care for and maintain Kenn Knights became 1996 Parks celebrates project and opened in 1968. community green spaces, 2010 director of Parks. parks and/or flower beds. 100 years of growth and 2000 Parks and Recreation change, looking onward to 1985 The Parks split into separate business the next century of park Foundation Calgary units and Rob Pritchard was development including art in was created. appointed acting general Olympic Plaza, geocaching, manager. and special displays and events. 1973 The provincial Late 1980s Calgary’s 1939 World War II began. 1945 World War II ended. government purchased first off-leash areas were 2001 Dave Breckon the land for Fish Creek formalized. became Parks’ director. Provincial Park.

memorial drive, an ENMAX Legacy Parks Program, 2008. 108 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Photo: the City of calgary Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 109 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of Parks Bibliographical Essay

The writing of this book was based on an City officials andP earce in which he explains unioncemetery_tour.pdf, and Calgary’s Planning Commission covering the period extensive collection of primary and secon- his views on the need for parks development historic Union Cemetery: a walking guide by from 1909 to 1914. The 1945 report of the dary sources. From prairie to park: green and how they should be developed. His Harry M. Sanders, published in 2002, in Council of Social Agencies is available at spaces in Calgary by Morris Barraclough, views on parks are also explained in an the Calgary Public Library collection. the W.R. Castell Central Library Local published in 1975, and available as a article by Sue Anne Donaldson entitled Additional sources consulted for the period History Room collection in Calgary. Reference document in the Calgary Public William Pearce: his vision of trees, which 1910 to 1946 beyond council minutes, The history of parks in Calgary for the Library (CPL) Local History Room, is the appeared in the Journal of Garden History. bylaws and agreements include the annual period 1947 – 1976 made use of city council only history of Parks published to date. Vol. 3, No. 3. (1983) located at the Glenbow reports and operational for files Parks held records and the Parks Fonds in The City of It covers up to the end of the Harry Museum Collections & Research Library at The City of Calgary Archives, which deal Calgary Archives along with parks planning Boothman period in 1977. in Calgary. with such topics as facilities development. documents held by the Calgary Public Information on the Calgary landscape Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa The annual reports prepared by William Library. These include the Louis Hamill before settlement as discussed in the has orders in council which document Reader are particularly valuable because report of 1969 entitled Calgary regional parks preface was obtained from Once upon a the donation of land to Calgary for park they provide detailed information on how and recreation study. river: archaeology and geology of the Bow purposes beginning with what became specific parks were developed. A series of The role of private individuals and associa- River Valley at Calgary, Alberta, Canada by Mewata Park. The City of Calgary’s first parks plans are included in the Parks Fonds. tions for the period after 1947 was docu- Michael Wilson, published in 1983, also cemetery is the topic of a file in the Department The career of William Reader has been the mented through the use of the papers of Eric in the CPL Local History collection, and of the Interior Fonds (RG15, Interior, Series subject of articles by Donna Balzer and Harvie at the Glenbow Museum Collections Calgary’s natural parks: yours to explore by Jim D-II-1 , Volume 335, File: 83972). Kathleen McNally, both available at the & Research Archives in Calgary. The Foley, published in 2006, available at local This file follows not only the acquisition of Glenbow Museum Collections & Research Glenbow also has the papers of a number of book stores. the present site of Union Cemetery but also Library. Balzer’s The Reader Rock Garden organizations which shared Harvie’s passion The account of the period 1875 to 1909 was the eventual development of the original site Reborn is in the Alberta Views 9:4:44-50 for parks. These include the Rotary Club of based on minutes of the Town and The City into a park. The history of Union Cemetery (May 2006) and McNally’s Calgary’s Calgary Fonds, the Calgary Local Council of Calgary council bylaws and agreements is also outlined in Central (Memorial) Park Reader Rock Garden is in Reprint #19 of the of Women Fonds, and Centennial Ravine held at The City of Calgary Archives. These and Reader Rock Garden: the British landscape Landscape Architectural Review, Vol. 11, No. Park Society Fonds. As well, the Glenbow’s types of documents are useful for the entire gardening tradition in Calgary by Rob 1 (March 1990). The Calgary Horticultural collection of newspapers and clipping files 100 year period. Graham available at the Glenbow Museum Society was the subject of an article in the supplement the public and private records of The role of William Pearce was documented Collections & Research Library (call summer 1998 issue of the Alberta History by parks development. The newspapers provide through his personal papers covering the number 712.6 G741c Pam, dated 1993); Liesbeth Leatherbarrow, also at the Glenbow a good indication of public attitudes to parks years 1883 to 1930 held by the University of the guide for a Union Cemetery Interpretive Museum Collections & Research Library. development particularly during the period Alberta Archives in Edmonton. These papers Tour by Lawrie Knight-Steinbach, The City of Calgary Archives has the papers after World War Two. include correspondence between Town and available on-line at: http://www.calgary.ca of the Calgary Parks Board and the Town DocGallery/bu/planning/pdf/heritage/

110 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 111 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of Parks Bibliographical Essay continued.

left Bandstand on The Calgary Public Library has a number of The development of the Calgary pathway St. George’s Island, c 1912. park histories which cover both the human system is the subject of Terry Bullick’s and natural history. The publications of book, Calgary parks and pathways: a city’s glenbow archives na-1604-74 the Calgary Field Naturalists’ Society’s treasures (second edition), published in 2007 are focused on Calgary’s natural areas. and available at local bookstores. Rosemont: These publications evolved out of the 50 years of community, 1959-2009, available Society’s studies of natural areas in Calgary at Glenbow Museum Collections & Rese- beginning in 1975 with Calgary’s natural arch Library includes information on areas: a popular guide by Peter Sherrington. Confederation Park. The Calgary Public Dave Elphinstone’s Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: Library has in its collection A leaven of A place for all seasons, published in 1990, ladies: a history of the Calgary Local Council is also available at the CPL, as is a book of Women, published in 1995, written by about the development of Edworthy Park, Marjorie Norris Barron, and the Glenbow published in 2002 by the Edworthy Park Museum Collections & Research Library Heritage Society - Treasures of the trail: A has an article by H.V Nelles entitled nature guide to Edworthy Park, Lawrey “How did Calgary get its river parks”, from the Gardens and the Douglas Fir Trail, edited by Fall 2005 Urban History Review (Volume moment in the history of the river valley parks_operations/Open_Space_Plan.pdf, Jerry Osborn. 34:1:28-45), both of which discuss a critical parks system. and The City of Calgary Parks Calgary The government documents section and the Wetland Conservation Plan, approved by Local History Room of the Calgary Public Council in 2004, available in hard copy at Library have parks planning documents for the Calgary Public Library and digitally the period from 1977 to 2000 and annual on-line at: http://www.calgary.cadocgallery/ reports for 1980 and 1985 to 1989. The lack buparksoperationswetlandconservation_ of records in the Parks Fonds at The City plan.pdf. of Calgary Archives for the period after Information on current City of Calgary Parks 1977 makes this period a greater challenge activities was obtained from the Parks 2009 to document. Annual Report, which is available on-line at: The development of the Parks business unit http://www.calgary.cadocgallery/buparks right Maude Riley and since 2001 was based on policy documents operations/parksannualreport2009.pdf. children, Calgary, AB., such as The City of Calgary Parks Open Space c 1950s. Plan, adopted by Council in 2002, available —John Gilpin, Historian November 2010 glenbow archives pa-3647-4 on-line at: www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/

112 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 113 114 Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks Calgary Celebrating 100 years of parks 115 Notes

Historic Research front cover All uncaptioned photos Women in a potato sack race are from Calgary parks John Gilpin at Bowness Park, c 1950s. and were taken by The City of Calgary. Printed in Calgary, Alberta Canada, 2010. V2. Glenbow archives PA-2453-114

Boys on a tire swing at Sandy The cover of this book is printed on FSC-certified Beckett Beach Park, 2010. Concept manufactured carbon neutral and contains 100% postconsumer recycled fiber. This paper is certified by Green Photo: the city of calgary Seal, and by SmartWood in accordance with the rules of Forest Stewardship Council which promote environmentally Cycling near the Bow River, appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable 1973. management of the world’s forests.

The Map overlays and front and back fly sheets were printed Glenbow archives nA- 2864-22837 on Curious Translucent sheets and are FSC-certified. Pearce Estate Park nature carbon neutral and windpower savings shot, 2010.

2,816 lbs ghg emissions not generated Photo: the city of calgary ~ 1,155 windpower savings ~ 1,661 carbon offset savings inside Front and back 3 barrels fuel oil unused covers ~ 1 windpower savings Historic Map of Township ~ 2 carbon offset savings #24, Glenbow Archives. equivalent to not driving 2,787 mi ~ 1,143 windpower savings ~ 1,644 carbon offset savings back cover Citzens in Riley Park, 1956. equivalent to planting 192 trees ~ 79 windpower savings Glenbow archives na-5600-6843h ~ 113 carbon offset savings

Technical Notes and Sources

Calculations to demonstrate the environmental benefits of using recycled fiber in lieu of virgin fiber are based primarily upon information publicly available at: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/1687_ figures.pdf Calculations to demonstrate the benefits of supporting offsite wind generated electric power and carbon emission reduction projects are based primarily upon Mohawk’s corporate-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory. This inventory was developed to include Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions according to the US EPA Climate Leaders Program technical guidance which is publicly available at: http://www.epa.gov/ stateply/resources/index.html Calculator outputs specifically represent Mohawk operations and its unique greenhouse gas emissions profile. They cannot be considered representative of other organizations.

116 116 CalgaryCalgary Celebrating Celebrating 100 100 years years of of parks parks 2010-1674