Bowmont Park Natural Area is one of Calgary's largest natural environment parks. With over 165 hectares of forest, grasslands and river habitats, protecting this greenspace is a priority for The City and all Calgarians.
Bowmont Park Public Open House
The City of Calgary Parks would like your input! Join us on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 to find out what’s up and coming in Bowmont Park! There are two improvement projects that will enhance Calgarians enjoyment of the park and ensure that future generations will benefit from this natural area park for many years to come.
Exciting changes are in the planning stages for the east end of Bowmont Park. Parks would like public input regarding concepts that have been developed for the former Klippert gravel pit located in the east portion of Bowmont Park.
In addition, off-leash boundaries throughout the entire park will be adjusted to improve sight lines, protect sensitive areas and improve safety in and around high use spots in the park. The City will have staff on hand to inform Calgarians where the boundary changes are taking effect and to answer questions.
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Time: drop-in between 3 - 8 p.m.
Location: Bowness Community Centre and Arena, 7904 43 Ave. N.W.
For Calgarians who are not able to attend the open house, the information presented will be available online after May 22. An online survey pertaining to development of the east end of the park will be posted here from May 23 – June 24.
East Bowmont Park
Parks has an opportunity to incorporate a former gravel pit and surrounding areas with nearby Bowmont Park. Parks is working with stakeholders and the public to develop a concept plan for East Bowmont Park. The primary approach of the project is to restore the site to native habitat while accommodating sustainable, compatible public use. Examples of possible uses include an opportunity to add stormwater treatment wetlands, include an off-leash area, establish designated river access points, and integrate a public art component into the design. Final design for this space will depend on public and stakeholder input regarding use of the space.
The maps below were presented and a survey was held to gather public input.
The documents below summarize the stakeholder engagement:
A second open house and online survey will be undertaken in winter 2012/13. A concept plan will be presented and feedback will be requested. Budget has not been secured and construction timelines are unknown at this time. Please check back for project updates.
Klippert gravel pit background
For about 60 years, a gravel mining operation was located at the east end of Bowmont Park. The gravel pit was recently acquired by The City of Calgary for the purpose of integrating the property into Bowmont Natural Environment Park. In 2010 Parks removed most of the remaining buildings and debris from the site. The City has now engaged a landscape architectural consultant to undertake a Biophysical Impact Assessment of this former gravel pit site, and to prepare a design that integrates this new area into the existing park. The design development plan will form the basis of future planning and development decisions for this new addition to Bowmont Park.
About the Bowmont Park improvement project
In order to protect and enhance the natural habitat in Bowmont Park, The City is undertaking the following Council-approved initiatives:
Trail improvements
Please respect trail closures and stay on open trails only.
Fournier site restoration
The former Fournier property occupies nearly 7 hectares of Bowmont Park at the west end of the natural area. The City is in the process of incorporating this land into the park by implementing an interpretive trail loop and well as interpretive signage on the cultural and natural history of the sites, Fencing and railings will be in place to protect natural habitats, and native trees and shrubs will be planted.
Park signs and public education
The City wants to promote an understanding and appreciation of the Bowmont Natural Environmental Park, with a focus on educating Calgarians on how their actions contribute to the health of a larger community and eco-system. Therefore, we are planning on implementing a variety of signage, including directional signs, interpretive signs, regulatory signs and trail markers.
Habitat restoration
One of the City's key objectives is to maintain the natural environment at Bowmont Park while enhancing the biological diversity in the area. Therefore, we are committed to protecting areas of high environmental significance while restoring areas that have been damaged, disturbed or degraded. Activities we're engaging in include balsam forest regeneration, native tree and shrub planting, invasive plant control and erosion control.
Additionally, The City is also constructing two wet ponds in the park as part of the Bowmont West Stormwater Quality Retrofit project.
Project updates
Construction in Bowmont Park right now focuses on pathway upgrades, trail restoration and storm pond construction. Please use caution near construction areas and adhere to all signs.
The off-leash area and parking lot are closed for construction of the storm water quality retrofit pond. Intense rainstorms in June and July have damaged pathways in the off leash area, and around Pond 1. The re-opening of the off-leash area, which was originally scheduled for August 1st, 2012, has been delayed until further notice to allow crews to repair the pathways. The pond off-leash area will remain closed until August 2013. For your safety, please follow and obey all construction signage. Visit dog off-leash areas in parks to find an open off-leash area.
The escarpment just west of the Waterfall Valley viewpoint – known as the Hogsback – has become heavily eroded overtime. This heavy erosion has left the escarpment void of vegetation and has created an ecological eyesore. Habitat restoration efforts are under way to restore this escarpment to become one day a functioning habitat for both wildlife and the public to enjoy. This area is now closed to the public. Continuous use of this area has and will contribute to the habitat degradation and loss of wildlife. Please respect this closure.
Project signage will be posted in the park.
Bowmont Park Management Plan
Based on its environmental significance to the city's river valley system, Bowmont Park is classified as a "Major Natural Area," the same designation given to Edworthy, Beaverdam Flats, Carburn, and Nose Hill parks. Comprised of riverine forest, aspen woods, native grasslands, shrub communities, and stream bank habitats, this natural environment park represents the third largest potential for habitat supply for wildlife in the river valleys in Calgary.
The Bowmont Natural Environment Park Management Plan outlines management and preservation strategies to ensure the park continues to fulfill its ecological functions, while providing for sensitive human use. As part of these strategies, new by-law signs are being installed in the park that will clearly identify on and off-leash areas of the park.
The main parking facilities for Bowmont are located at 85 St. and Bearspaw Dam Rd. N.W. and 40 Ave. and 53 St. N.W.
