by Anne Burke
When the City’s plan for paved pathways in Nose Hill was approved by City Council in July 2005, we understood, during the public consultation, that user conflicts and enforcement would remain issues in park management. Some park users fear too many signs will inhibit enjoyment of a prairie grassland natural environment park. Dogs off-leash in on-leash zones disturb native vegetation and important wildlife habitat, such as foraging, breeding, and nesting areas. Encounters between dogs and wildlife can also mean injuries to wild animals, or their being put down for public safety, during denning season.
In a recent Nose Hill Update, the Ward 4 Councillor announced some new measures, including:
- Fences to stop cyclists from off-roading on the slopes to prevent damage;
- Updated entrance signs, additional garbage bins, and wooden posts, to promote adherence to the Responsible Pet Owners Bylaw.
Nose Hill Park supports some of the last remaining native fescue grasslands in Calgary. Foothills fescue grassland is one of the most threatened ecosystems on the planet, and some of it is found on the slopes of Nose Hill. The majority of the top of Nose Hill is off-leash, but all remaining coulees, slopes, and escarpments are on-leash areas. Under the bylaw, owners/handlers who do not keep their dogs under control in these areas, and who do not pick up and correctly dispose of waste, face fines.
Check out Welcome Alberta Birds on Facebook for sighting black-backed or downy woodpeckers; chickadees; osprey; great horned, short-eared, snowy, or boreal owls; barn swallows; ruffed grouse; and bohemian waxwings. Join the bird count!
