The Big Step Forward for Naturally, Glendale!
by Monika Smith, Master Gardener
Some really good news for Naturally, Glendale and the community! Our application for the Stella Conceptual Drawing Grant has been approved. Many thanks to the Parks Foundation Calgary for their support. Check out their website for the fabulous work that they do.
The Foundation states that “parks matter to Calgarians. They are cherished places where we play, connect with each other and immerse ourselves in nature. Parks development is vital to the creation of healthy, innovative and liveable cities.” Just what we are trying to do in our park.
This organization funds projects and offers support to help communities and groups achieve their goals by promoting stewardship of new and valued community spaces and creating a healthy outcome for all. This is what the Glendale Community Association is doing.
The Stella Conceptual Drawing Grant Program provides seed money for the development of a concept to re-envision Calgary’s parks, pathways, and natural areas with grants of up to $5,000.
If you didn’t know this, the Glendale Community Association relies on grants to operate, keep our building in good repair and up to the latest building codes. The community association building is not like your house. It is a public building so the standards to what and how we do things are very different from what you can do (or ignore) about your house. It’s somewhat similar with the grounds. The City owns and cares for all the trees we have and has expectations of tidiness and maintenance. The Community Association is the custodian of these grounds and the building. We have a responsibility to take good care of them and must follow certain policies and guidelines.
We have beautiful, unique grounds, about two acres in front of the hall and to the west. Yet, we are lacking a few things that would make our park extraordinary.
The folks involved in Naturally, Glendale spent last year learning about the City of Calgary’s Lease/License of Occupation (LOC) policies and guidelines. We also worked with our Parks liaison to understand just what we have and received feedback on potential changes to the grounds! The Calgary Horticulture Society, also a partner with the City of Calgary programs, has provided learnings. Many people have been consulted for their expertise both within our community and outside. And personally, I undertook more courses and achieved my Master Gardener certification. Indications that this would be a welcome project? A big yes. However, the devil is in the details.
Receiving the Stella Grant is an important step. Next will come using the grant to hire a landscape architect to develop plans. Ideas proposed for the garden have included pathways, a scalable and easy to use community garden, a gazebo, a garden shed and teaching area, picnic tables, a critter fountain, pollinator plants, and ultimately making the space beautiful. The landscape architect group will offer expert advice, direction, costs, and communications. However, it has to go to a few more hands, such as the City (Parks department), reviews by Glendale’s Board and an expert panel.
You, as residents, will be involved in the process and will be asked for feedback. There is a third step, which involves a multi-year process and more grants to make our ‘yard’ amazing.
We are nowhere near shovels in the ground. But that will change in 2025.
Stay tuned!
If you have ideas for Naturally, Glendale, contact Monika at [email protected].
Click here to the Glendale Community News home page for the latest Glendale community updates.
