Discovery Ridge loves Griffiths Woods – many of us live here because of it. As our city expands west, increasing numbers are enjoying our favourite park too. Griffiths Woods is getting busy and sometimes overcrowded. So – what’s the plan?
First proposed in 1994 and announced with great fanfare in 2003, ‘Clearwater Enmax Legacy Park’ was planned to become Calgary’s next major park. People are only now discovering this undeveloped site, located west of Discovery Ridge across the Elbow River.
Clearwater Park Development Plan 2016 – City of Calgary.
Could Clearwater become the next Griffiths Woods? Or an even bigger regional park – like Fish Creek or Glenbow Ranche? The time has come to redesign and finally deliver Clearwater Park.
Good news – meet the new Friends of Clearwater Park society. The Discovery Ridge Community Association and Elbow Valley Residents Club have recently joined forces to create this volunteer action group. The goal is to make Clearwater Park finally happen and to ensure that our communities can access this beautiful area in future. The Friends of Clearwater Park society is now up and running and will be looking for more help from residents and local parks-lovers. We hope to work with the Province, City, and Rocky View County to create an exceptional regional park.
Watch For the Upcoming Friends of Clearwater Park Website and How You Can Get Involved!
The not-so-good news is that the current Highway 8 twinning and proposed bridge makes no provision for cycling or pedestrian connections. This will cut off Discovery Ridge and the rest of Calgary from accessing Clearwater Park, except by driving on a freeway. It also cuts off the popular cycle route to Bragg Creek. Alberta Transportation, Rocky View County, and the City of Calgary should collaborate to correct this (and quickly). One option is to save the old bridge as a pedestrian and cycling route – like the heavily used Hextall (Shouldice) Bridge in Montgomery. This would save building a new multi-use bridge (at a cost of $3 million+).
Trail and cycling groups, including Alberta Trailnet, Alberta Bicycling Association, Springbank Trail and Pathways Association (STAPA), Elbow Valley Cycle Club, and others are leading the charge. They could certainly use your help.
But back to the good news… What would you like to see Clearwater Park become in future?
The City of Calgary’s most recent (2016) plan below shows where planning left off. Part of the park was later transferred to Alberta Transportation for a highway interchange, and a large dry pond has been excavated. The City’s Parks Department is about to build a small parking lot.
This, however, is just a small part of the 65-hectare (161-acre) site, generously donated by the Devonian Foundation (Harvie family) to the City in 1979. Combined with adjacent Rocky View County land, Clearwater Park could more than double in size. This is a rare opportunity to rethink and redesign the Park to meet the needs of future generations.
So, please visit the Clearwater site, start thinking, and watch for the Friends of Clearwater Park website. More to come!
Yahoo! The Stampede Roundup is almost here!
Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon on Saturday, June 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the green space by the rec centre.
Bring the whole family and enjoy games, face painting, the library book truck, country line dancing, a petting zoo, food trucks, and so much more! All the highlights here: https://discoveryridge.com/stampede-roundup/
A huge thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible:
Title Sponsor:
• Kristin Mould Boutique Real Estate
Pioneer Sponsors:
• Forero Electric
• Wonder Donuts
• New Discovery Fine Wine & Spirits
Mark your calendars—we can’t wait to see you there!
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