River Park, Sandy Beach and the Britannia Slopes together form a popular park and recreation area for Calgarians. This regional park is located north of the Glenmore Dam and along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary.
From 2009-11, The City of Calgary Parks worked with stakeholder groups and the public to develop a proposed park management and design development plan for River Park, Sandy Beach and Britannia Slopes in response to stakeholder concerns about environmental damage, aging amenities and user-group conflicts.
Park Management and Design Development Plan
Thank you to the hundreds of citizens who participated in the 2009 and 2011 public consultations. On June 29, 2011, the park plan was presented to Council's community and protective services committee.
The project is still in its early stages. Before full implementation begins, funding must be secured. The park plan will be submitted as a capital funding request to Council for the 2012 - 14 budget.
To view the key features of the park plan, please see the documents below.
2011 Public Consultation Results
2011 Public Consultation Process
Process map explaining the 2011 public consultation process. - Project FAQs
Frequently asked questions posted in January 2011.
- Introduction Session presentation
Presentation for citizens at the Jan. 19 and 27 introduction session on the 2011 public consultation process.
- Jan. 19/27 Introduction Session - Meeting Notes
Public comments and answers to questions from the public from the Jan. 19 and 27 public meetings.
- Jan. 19/27 Feedback Form Results
Written feedback and comments from citizens attending the Jan. 19 and 27 public meetings.
- Background Information
Link to web site with 2009 stakeholder consultation results as well as relevant studies and City of Calgary park policies.
- Project FAQs #2
Frequently asked questions posted in February 2011
- Feb. 12 Open Space Workshop (Verbatim Notes)
- Open Space Workshop Feedback Form Results
Written comments from the 110 participants at the Feb. 12 Open Space Workshop who submitted feedback forms.
- Project FAQs #3
Questions from the Feb. 12 Open Space Workshop
- March 1 - 12 Online Consultation
To review the comments posted for each of the topics below, go to the River Park, Sandy Beach and Britannia Slopes Public Consultation website and scroll down to the "Recent News" section.
- Your Vision for the park
- Environment and Park Sustainability
- Parking, Traffic and Safety
- People and Dogs
- Water Use
- Pathways and Trails
- March 19 World Cafe (verbatim notes)
- April 4 - 15 Online Consultation
To review the comments posted for each of the topics below, go to the River Park, Sandy Beach and Britannia Slopes Public Consultation website and scroll down to the "Recent News" section.
- Delineation of On and Off-Leash Areas
- Adding or Removing Trails
- Fencing on Regional Pathway
- Re-design Parking at Sandy Beach
- Restoration - Other Priority Areas
- Restricted Parking Lots
- Size and Location of Off-Leash Area in River Park
- Stairs at Britannia Slopes
- Water Use
- Turf Management
Current maps
2009 stakeholder consultation
In 2009, The City engaged a key stakeholders group (represented by 18 external organizations and six internal City of Calgary business units). In addition to two stakeholder workshops, an open house and online survey were also used to gather public input.
In spring 2010, before the draft management plan was presented to Council's Community & Protective Services committee, there were requests from citizens for more public engagement. As a result, Council directed administration to incorporate broader public and stakeholder input for the River Park/Sandy Beach/Britannia Slopes management and design plan.
The stakeholder and public input generated in 2009 will be incorporated into the second phase of broader public consultation that will begin in January 2011.
The 2009 key stakeholder group included: Between Friends Club, Britannia Community Association, Calgary Golf and Country Club, Calgary Pathway Advisory Committee, Cows & Fish, Dogercise, Elbow Park Residents' Association, Elbow Valley Cycle Club, Friends of River Park, Nature Calgary, Off-leash Calgary, River Park Preservation Society, River Park Working Committee, River Valleys Committee, South Calgary Community Association, Stanley Park to Glenmore Dam Preservation Society, Ward 11 Office and YMCA Calgary.
The City of Calgary business units also taking part included Animal & Bylaw Services, Community & Neighbourhood Services, Parks (Operations Central, Pathways, Planning and Development, Natural Areas), Transportation Planning, Recreation and Water Services.
