Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Proposal Version 1.1 Table of Contents Executive summary 3 Project context 4 Rationale for Redevelopment Proposal 4 Description of planning area 4 Rationale for Redevelopment 4 Key Objectives of the Proposal 4 Guiding Documents 5 Land-Use Framework 5 Alberta’s Plan for Parks 5 Active Alberta 5 Kananaskis Country Recreation Policy 5 Bow Valley Protected Areas Management Plan 5 Canoe Meadows 6 Current Situation 6 Analysis of Current Situation 6 Proposed Redevelopment 8 Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre 10 Current Situation 10 Analysis of Current Situation 10 Proposed Redevelopment 12 Widowmaker 14 Current Situation 14 Analysis of Current Situation 14 Proposed Redevelopment 16 Barrier Dam 18 Current Situation 18 Analysis of Current Situation 18 Proposed Redevelopment 20 Proposed Disc Golf Course 22 Summary 23 Source Documents 23 2 Executive summary Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Proposal Executive summary Redevelopment Proposal As part of the commitment in Alberta’s Plan for Parks to expand recreational opportunities throughout the park system, a series of enhancements to Overview park facilities along the Lower Kananaskis River is being proposed. These enhancements would help meet increased recreational demand, improve public safety and site management ef!ciency, while minimizing impacts to environmental and archaeological features. Located approximately 80 kilometres west of Calgary in Bow Valley Provincial Park, the Lower Kananaskis River area is a popular day-use destination, and is recognized for its river-based recreational opportunities. There are four facility nodes within this planning area—Canoe Meadows, Barrier Lake Visitor RIVER Information Centre, Widowmaker and Barrier Dam. The kayak slalom course at Canoe Meadows is considered to be the best training facility for the sport of kayaking in the province. Key objectives of the Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Proposal include: t reducing congestion at day use sites; t improving river access for recreational users; t increasing camping opportunities; and KANANASKIS t enhancing the Canoe Meadows site to accommodate special events, river recreation, and to act as a multi-function camping area. The developments that are shown in this Redevelopment Proposal are at the ‘concept stage’ as the Proposal is meant as a tool to engage Albertans in HWY 40 LOWER decisions about their parks. Speci!c details within the Proposal may not be implemented exactly as shown in this document based on consultations with Albertans, availability of funding, and further studies. After a decision is made about whether or not to proceed on this proposal, the Government of Alberta will explore the possibility of engaging private sector and/or non-governmental partners in the implementation of the development described in this Proposal. BARRIER LAKE 3 0 100 250 500m Project context Rationale for Redevelopment Many of the recreational facilities in Kananaskis Country were planned and Rationale for Redevelopment Proposal built in the 1970s and 1980s when the population of Alberta was much smaller, and Albertans engaged in different recreational activities on the landscape. The purpose of the facility redevelopment proposal for the Lower Kananaskis In recent years Alberta has grown to a population of over 3 million people, River is to provide a comprehensive vision for the area that aims to improve with over 1 million of those people living in close proximity to Kananaskis visitor experience through the expansion and modernization of recreational Country. The recreational facilities that were built over thirty years ago are facilities in an environmentally sensitive manner. Implementation of this often at or over capacity, and are out-of-date. Once implemented, the new and proposal will also begin to address recreational capacity issues in other parts redeveloped facilities described within this proposal will begin to address the of Kananaskis Country. needs and expectations of Albertans today. By clearly identifying a vision for the Lower Kananaskis River area, Alberta Key Objectives of the Proposal Parks will be able to engage Albertans in a meaningful discussion about the future of the area before !nal decisions have been made. The Redevelopment Proposal has key objectives that align with the strategies outlined in the Plan for Parks. The four strategies in the Plan for Parks are: Description of planning area t Involve Albertans t Offer Modern Facilities, Policies and Programs The planning area is located within Bow Valley Provincial Park, and is t Provide Recreation Opportunities approximately 80 kilometres from Calgary. It is a popular day-use and t Conserve Landscapes overnight group-camping destination, and is recognized for its river-based recreational opportunities. The popularity of the river for recreation is largely The key objectives for the Redevelopment Proposal grouped according to the due to the regulation of the "ow of the Lower Kananaskis River. The dam at above strategies from the Plan for Parks are: Barrier Lake and the natural and man-made river features result in a consistent "ow-rate that river users can count on to plan their trips and activities. There Involve Albertans is a growing diversity of river users on the Lower Kananaskis River, which now t Engage Albertans in determining the future of the Lower Kananaskis River area includes kayakers, canoeists and surfers, as well companies offering rafting t Partner with the private sector and/or non-governmental organizations in and a variety of river recreational activities. The paddling opportunities in the the implementation of the Proposal planning area have been described as ‘provincially signi!cant’. The Lower Kananaskis River from Barrier Lake downstream to Seebe is a Conserve Landscapes recreational corridor. The area for this redevelopment proposal includes that t Ensure proper balance of facility development, recreational access and part of the recreational corridor that is under the planning authority of Alberta conservation Parks. There are currently four facility nodes within this planning area – Canoe Meadows, Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre, Widowmaker and Barrier Offer Modern Facilities, Policies and Programs Dam. There are also some trails within the planning area that connect the t Begin to address demand for enhanced recreational facilities throughout facility nodes. Kananaskis Country t Redesign Canoe Meadows The planning area is located within the Montane sub-region, which is t To better host special events characterized by open forests mixed with grasslands. The forests in the t To enhance training and sport facilities planning area are dominated by aspen stands on the terraces above the river, t To provide a range of camping opportunities and by spruce forests on the slopes. There are some sites of ecological or archaeological interest within the planning area, which will be a consideration t Reduce traf!c congestion at day use sites in the redevelopment of the facilities in the area. Provide Recreation Opportunities t Improve river access t Increase camping opportunities throughout the planning area, particularly in 4 association with river recreation t Provide more inclusive facility options that reduce physical and cultural barriers wherever possible Guiding Documents developments proposed in the Lower Kananaskis River area will assist in context Project Lower Kananaskis River Facility Redevelopment Proposal meeting the objectives outlined in Active Alberta by increasing opportunities for Albertans to recreate outdoors, as well as redesigning Canoe Meadows to In addition to legislation, there are !ve policy documents that will guide the become a facility focused on the sport of kayaking. planning of facilities within the planning area. KANANASKIS COUNTRY RECREATION POLICY LAND-USE FRAMEWORK The Kananaskis Country Recreation Policy was approved in May 1999, and The Land-use Framework is a comprehensive approach to planning to better sets out the approach to sustainable recreation management in Kananaskis manage public and private lands and natural resources to achieve Alberta’s Country within the context of integrated resource and environmental long-term economic, environmental and social goals. management. It allows for the development of new small facilities within Kananaskis Country, as well as the upgrading and improvement of existing The framework provides a blueprint for land-use management and decision- facilities, so long as environmental effects are mitigated or acceptable. making that addresses the growth that has occurred in Alberta over the past several years. The Land-use Framework and the subsequent regional plans are BOW VALLEY PROTECTED AREAS MANAGEMENT PLAN law and so all other plans and policies affecting land-use must be in conformity with the Land-use Framework. The Lower Kananaskis River planning area The Bow Valley Protected Areas Management Plan was approved in is within the land-use planning region known as the ‘South Saskatchewan’.’ September 2002. Development of this plan included public and stakeholder Although the regional plan for the South Saskatchewan is not yet complete, the consultation, prior to its approval. redevelopment plan for the Lower Kananaskis River is aligned with the current direction of planning initiatives related to the regional plan. The plan designates the Lower Kananaskis River area into both ‘facility’ and ‘natural environment’ zones. Facility zoning includes provisions