River Park News – December 2008 South Calgary Scanner by Erin Carpenter

               Public Consultation to Begin on River Park Plan

          The New Year will ring in with the start of public consultations on the Park Management/Design Development Plan for River Park/Sandy Beach/Britannia Slopes.

          The plan will focus on ensuring the long-term viability of the park area as a multi-use recreational area, while protecting its natural environment.

          Ward 11 Alderman Brian Pincott says the project is necessary, as the park is showing the impact from the city’s population growth.

          “This is a treasure of a park, and we are very much loving it to death. Reviewing the management and design of the park is key to ensuring that it is one that we can enjoy for years to come.”

          The City has hired O2 Planning + Design Inc., a local landscape architecture, urban design and environmental planning firm, to head up the park review. The company’s clients include national parks agencies, private developers, and all levels of government.

          O2 Planning + Design Inc. will soon be asking for ideas and input from the public. Look for a stakeholder workshop and an on-line survey early in the New Year, followed by in-park surveys in the spring and summer of 2009. An open house is planned for the fall of 2009 to review the proposed plans.

Alderman Pincott says it’s important that people get involved in the discussion.

“They need to share with the designers the impacts they see on the park from the growth in usage, how they would like to be able to use the park, what are the important features in the park that they treasure.”

The City will be posting a schedule for these public consultations on its website as the dates are finalized (www.calgary.ca).

          More information about O2 Planning + Design Inc. can be found at

http://www.o2design.com/o2.htm

River Park Preservation Society Founded

          Some South Calgary residents have founded the River Park Preservation Society (RPPS) to promote the park as a multi-use area for the benefit of everyone who uses it.

          The society hopes to ensure that River Park is sustainable for future generations, and plans to advocate for proper funding from the City of Calgary to develop and maintain the park.

The RPPS intends to represent its members in any upcoming public consultations with the City, and keep its members informed of any developments.

          For more information, contact Nan Douglas at riverparkpreservationsociety@gmail.com

Police Website gives Updated Crime Statistics

The Calgary Police Service will soon launch a new webpage which allows people to get updated crime statistics on their neighbourhoods and compare them with those in other communities.

People will be able to track crimes such as assaults, break and enters, theft, vandalism and robberies.

Constable Martin Courte, the Community Liaison Officer with District 2 of the Calgary Police Service, says people in South Calgary who use the webpage will find that the number of crimes per capita in their community has actually decreased in the last few years.

Courte says that’s because while the actual number of criminal incidents in South Calgary has increased, it hasn’t matched population growth.

“Residents of South Calgary can rest assured that overall, whether they are comparing to other communities or within their own community in contrast to a number of years ago, theirs is a very safe community to live in.”

Courte says the webpage is part of the police’s effort to provide more timely updates of crime trends and statistics.

In the meantime, any suspicious activity or incidents can be reported to the police by calling the non-emergency number 403-266-1234.

The Calgary Police Service website is http://www.calgarypolice.ca/

River Park/Sandy Beach “Christmas Tree”

Cross north over the swinging bridge at Sandy Beach, turn left along the footpath beside the river, and you’ll eventually come across the lone spruce tree.

It juts out toward the path in a jaunty greeting. Right now only a few gauzy off-white ribbons decorate its higher branches, but closer to Christmas season this tree is laden with festive ornaments.

It’s a community tradition that’s been going on for years, and it’s one that Jennifer Gouin appreciates on her regular walks along the river.

“It’s a tender spot of Calgary; it shows people still care,” she says. “It’s like a little piece of kindness, and it’s nice that people honour it.”

Look for plenty of signs of caring on the “Community Christmas Tree” in the weeks ahead.

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