Welcome!
Grand Vision
October 13, 2016 4–8pm
Alexandra Centre Vision Bend in the Bow is a collection of parks that tell stories through nature, culture, and education.
The land that maps out the Bend in the Bow has a rich, diverse past. This area has been in constant flux for centuries, carving out a story of Calgary’s past, present, and future.
Before Europeans arrived, this landscape was largely influenced by floods, fires, wildlife, and First Nations (refer to “Stories of the Land” board). When Colonel Walker arrived, he built a sawmill and a homestead on what was then the outskirts of Calgary. An oil refinery was built beside Walker’s farmland, and the City eventually surrounded the site. Shortly after Walker’s arrival, William Pearce would build his estate, experiment with urban forestry, and help agriculture grow roots by promoting irrigation. Despite these shifts in cultural attitudes, nature has been actively conserved through time.
Our goal in this project is to maintain the balance of nature and culture, and inspire future stewards to conserve the heritage of these parks for tomorrow’s generations.
2 Stories of The landscape tells the stories of how this site has the Land evolved over time, and the role of conservation in managing our natural and cultural history for future generations.
1750 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2016
First Nations
1875 Establishment of Fort Calgary + Inglewood 1914 Grand Trunk Pacic Railway arrives in Calgary 2013 Flood Damage (not given the name until 1911)
1883 C.P.R. Rail Line arrives in Calgary 1920 GTP becomes CNR 2018 Harvie Passage: New structure to be completed
1750 Arrival of European Settlers 1910 Walker House built 1977 Walker House designated historic site
1882 James Walker owns property 1936 1970 City acquires portion of site 1996 City acquires portion of site
1920 Selby Walker lives on property 1996 Nature Centre built
1882 Sawmill 1903 1929 Bird Sanctuary status obtained
1896 Chinese Market Gardens 1952 Concrete plant + gravel operation 1996 Grassland Restoration
1914 Gas Well 1949
1936 Inglewood Renery 1985 Remediation of land contamination
1887 Pearce establishes Pearce Estate 1929 Pearce donates the land to The City of Calgary that later becomes Pearce Estate Park
1889 Bow Bend Shack 1957
1887 Pearce advocates for the protection of Bow River islands (Prince’s, St. Patrick’s, St. Georges) 1973 Fish Hatchery moves to Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery at Pearce Estate Park 1887 Pearce helps to establish Ban National Park (the rst Canadian National Park)
1914 City Beautiful, Thomas Mawson: Pearce advocates for ‘City Beautiful’ urban design
Early Calgary primarily a treeless, 1890 Pearce establishes rst experimental irrigation farm and tree farm in Western Canada 2016 Our urban forest today consists of ~630,000 trees wind-swept landscape
1904 Bow River Weir: Original structure built 1975 Bow River Weir: Current structure built
1944 Western Irrigation District canal created
Pearce Estate Park
1952 1981 1990 2001 2012 2015
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary + Wildlands
1920 1952 1981 1990 2001 2012 2015 3 Core Values Vegetation + Habitat Our goal is to not only protect critical wildlife habitat, but to enhance it by restoring and enhancing plant communities. River Interactions The preferred concept enhances These parks are critical to the wildlife corridors. health of the Bow River watershed. Stabilizing the river bank protects the river bank from erosion and preserves habitat. NATURE We will conserve and enhance the Wildlife environmental value of Bend in These parks are home to a wide the Bow for future generations. diversity of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians, and other creatures. Urban Forestry We want to ensure they have a Nature in the city supports the health place here. of people and wildlife. New plantings, both ornamental and functional, will showcase Pearce’s vision of Calgary becoming a “city of trees”. Educational Programs Field trips, guided walking tours, and programs Irrigation + Agriculture at the Bow Habitat Station and Inglewood Bird From market gardens to irrigation canals, these Sanctuary help shape our knowledge about parks have strong roots in helping feed and nature and culture and inspire new stewards expand the growth of our City and region. for our public spaces. The project creates more opportunity for education.
Learning Through Exploration CULTURE These parks are meant to be We will conserve and celebrate explored at your own pace. New discoveries help us connect the area’s cultural significance, with and care for the natural and recognize the role it has and cultural heritage. played in our City and Province.
First Nations Interpretive signs and markers EDUCATION reveal the stories of how First We will educate citizens about Nations inhabited and moved the intrinsic value of our parks, through these places before contact with Europeans. and advocate stewardship of natural and cultural heritage. Active Learning Early Industry People learn in many different Sawmills, gas wells, refineries and ways. These parks will promote ferries all existed here at one time hands-on learning through before these places became parks. play, volunteer opportunities, Remnants of former industries give us and recreation. glimpses into Calgary’s history. Revealing our History History is brought to life by tracing Visionary Calgarians the footprints of our past through Colonel Walker and William Pearce are discoveries of markers, new plantings, two of Calgary’s most significant cultural and unique landscapes. figures. We want to share their stories — along with those of other historic citizens who helped shape our City.
4 Parks that The concept for Bend in the Bow unifies tell stories how people use the land—in the past, today, and in the future.
Pearce Estate Park An Engineered Environment
»» William Pearce was a visionary who lived here at the turn of the 20th century. His contributions to the city are recognized throughout the park. »» Weirs, constructed wetlands, and man-made streams— this site has a long history of engineering nature. »» Picnics, paddling and play—Pearce Estate Park offers a wide variety of active and passive recreational opportunities.
The Corridor Landscape in Motion
»» First Nations peoples travelled extensively through these lands; an interpretive walk recounts the stories of these peoples. »» Grand Trunk Pacific Railway ran through this corridor. The new pathway delineates the rhythm of the railway a century ago. »» The new arboretum showcases Pearce’s contribution to Calgary’s urban forests. »» Increased vegetation and removal of lighting along the corridor enhances regional wildlife movement.
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Homesteads and Habitats
»» As Canada’s first federally protected urban bird sanctuary, the site continues to preserve necessary habitat to support breeding and nesting. The sanctuary continues to inspire research, education and stewardship activities. »» Walker’s homestead is one of the cultural cornerstones of Calgary. Our agricultural and industrial past is recognized at significant locations on the site. »» The Chinese market gardens become a place to learn about Calgary’s agricultural history.
Inglewood Wildlands Regenerating Nature
»» Demonstrations of restoration processes such as the phytoremediation forest allow visitors to observe active restorative techniques. »» New formalized trails will minimize disturbances to habitat of local wildlife.
5 Pearce Estate Park: An Engineered Environment
Bow Passage Overlook
9 Pearce Monument
Pearce Estate Park Gateway 10 Harvie Passage
Bow Habitat 3 8 Wildlife Corridor Station + Coldwater Stream
Existing Washroom Active Water Edge
2 Kids Can Catch 7 Flood Protection Trout Pond Landform
Picnic 4
Play 5
Pearce Memorial
Parking Enhancement
Pearce Estate Park 1 Gateway
Existing Interpretive 6 Wetland 11 Gravel Beach
New Washroom
Revised Regional Pathway
17a St SE Blackfoot Trail SE Potential Boat Launch 17 Ave SE
Cushing Bridge
0 10 50m 6 19 St SE Pearce Estate Park: An Engineered Environment
• Flood Protection Landform
• Path on Flood Protection Landform
• Harvest Picnic Table
• Play Structure
• Grey Squirrel
• Enhanced Amenities
• Interpretive SIgnage • Boulder Seating
7 • Survey Marker The Corridor: History in Motion
17a St SE
Blackfoot Trail SE 17 Ave SE
Cushing Bridge
19 St SE
Underpass Improvements Park Entrance 1
5 Tree Buffer History of Mobility 2 Pathway 7 Revised Regional Pathway 7 Ave SE New Parking Lot + Drop Off Riverbank Stabilization
Active Use Nodes 4
8 Ave SE
6 Nature trail Urban Forest 3 (Setback from Swallows) Heritage Grove
Wildlife Corridor
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary 8 Gateway 0 10 50m 8 The Corridor: History in Motion
• Parking Lot • RiverWatch Screened by Gathering Space • RiverWatch Use Plantings • Trail
• Interpretive Signage
• Enhanced Amenities • Railroad Ties
• Porcupine
• Bank Swallows
• Terraced Riverbank • Underpass Improvements • Fly Fishing
• Interpretive Signage
• Nature Trail • Vegetated Rip Rap
• Groyne
9 Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: Homesteads & Habitats
Entrance Gateway 1
Nature Trail (Setback from Swallows) TD Outdoor 11 Learning Centre
10 Lagoon Gate Nature Centre 2
Market Garden Stormwater 9 Pond
Chinese Market 4 Garden Traces Wildlife Hides Location TBD
8 Jefferies Pond
Homestead Trail 3
Sawmill Walker’s Structure Experimental Tree Traces Floating Island in Lagoon Walker House Restored Hedge + 5 Flower Beds 7 Riparian Forest (Native Species)
Fish Hatchery History
Lagoon Bridge 6
Existing Research Bird Banding Area
0 10 50m 10 Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: Homesteads & Habitats
• Great Horned Owl
• Lagoon Control Inlet
• Interpretive Signage • Great Blue Heron • Beaver
• Wood Duck
• Rocky Mountain • Rainbow Trout Whitefish
• Walker House
• Chinese Market Garden Traces
• Vegetated Screen
• Self-guided Interpretive Walk
• Interpretive Signage
11 Inglewood Wildlands: Regenerating Nature
9 Ave SE
Entrance Gateway
Tank Traces 4
Community Entrance
Connection 1 across railroad
Wildlands Parking Area Community Entrance
2 Existing Hill
3 Transformer Beacon
Wildlife Hides Location TBD
Community Entrance 5 Hydrosere Wetland to Woodland
7 Phytoremediation on Display
Fence
Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Line
Grassland Restoration 6 + Habitat Protection
Separator Trench
0 10 50m 12 Inglewood Wildlands: Regenerating Nature
• Common Yellowthroat
• Robin’s Nest
• Habitat Enhancements • Phytoremediation • Separator Trench • Landscape as Laboratory
• Trail to Separator Trench • Wayfinding
• Fenced Wildlife Area
• Habitat Forming Processes • Viewpoint Knoll • Phytoremediation • Transformer (by Suncor) Beacon
• Hydrosere • Enhanced Amenities • White-tailed Deer
• Formalized Trail Network
• Interpretive Signage
• Enhanced Soil Building Process
13 Stay The management of our natural areas is a shared Involved effort. We hope you are inspired to share these ideas about the transformative power of nature and human ingenuity, and stay involved as the project progresses. calgary.ca/bendinthebow
Next Steps
Design Detailed Grand Vision Development Council Design Construction Fall 2016 Plan 2017 TBD TBD Fall / Winter 2016
Design Development Presentation to Council Secure funding Phased to minimize Plan Report impacts Public input to Council Call to artists Preliminary Biophysical + consultants Adhere to Impact Assessment Recommendation best management by Council to approve Continued public practices Public Art Plan or revise DDP engagement
Review by Special Detailed design + Projects Committee further technical study
Sponsor Partners External Stakeholders The Public Thank You! The City of Calgary Alberta Environment Calgary Arts Development Mentorship Over 500 people participated in the open houses, online surveys, and Bow Habitat Station Calgary Bird Banding Society sounding boards. Consultant Team Suncor Energy Calgary Catholic School Board Calgary Disc Golf Association We would like to thank everyone O2 Planning + Design, Prime Consultant Calgary Heritage Initiative for your time, feedback and Haddad Drugan, Public Art Consultant Calgary River Users Alliance AMEC Foster Wheeler, Environmental commitment to this project over Science & Remediation Expertise Calgary River Valleys the past 18 months! Athene Environmental, Wildlife Biology Chinese Market Gardener’s Society
Dayle Soppet, Vegetation Ecology Chinook Country Historical Society & EIA/BIA Expertise Collectively, your input has Inglewood Community Association KWL, Water Resource Engineering influenced how this plan has Inglewood Wildlands Development Society Salix Resource Management, Nature Calgary evolved. Ecology & Reclamation Expertise Parks Foundation Calgary Robert Graham, Heritage Planner Ward 9 Councillor
4 16 2 3 250+ Emails 2500+ Online Stakeholder Open Sounding Total Comments Surveys Workshops Houses Boards + Letters
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