Ralph Klein Park

Ralph Klein Park is Calgary's newest major park featuring a man-made wetland that uses natural vegetation to treat stormwater before it is discharged into the Bow River. Ralph Klein Park offers numerous on-site programs and events and can also be booked for private functions and birthday parties.

Note:

• Highway 22X is closed for construction. Access to the park is off 84 St. S.E. from either Glenmore Trail or 114 Ave. S.E. 
• The Environmental Education and Ethics Centre will be closed from July 23 - 27, 2012 for exhibit installation. The park will still be accessible.

Book Ralph Klein ParkPrograms & Events 
 

Environmental Education and Ethics Centre and the "Hawk Hill Calgary" Sentinals by Beverly Pepper

Address: 12350 84 St. S.E.

Area: 30.35 hectares

Current hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., closed Sundays, Mondays and statutory holidays
*gates to the parking lot are locked at 6 p.m. daily
 

Park features

• Environmental Education and Ethics Centre - features an indoor classroom, resource library, art studio, interpretive signage, meeting space and composting/low flush washrooms.
• Family Discovery Kit rentals - $25 includes Wetland Experience Journal, Park Exploration and Water Game, Wetland Study.
• Outdoor amphitheatre - perfect for an outdoor classroom, art classes, story telling and journaling. Features 'a large-scale land art sculpture', Sentinels, by Beverly Pepper.
• Man-made wetland - established to improve stormwater quality before it enters the Bow River system.
• Picnic and day use area - picnic tables and shelter for relaxing group or individual gatherings.
• Public art - Beverly Pepper's Sentinels art sculpture.
• Community orchard - orchard layout consists of five varieties of pear trees and eight varieties of apple trees.

While visiting the park, please remember:

• Portions of the park are still under development, please abide by all construction signage and keep off newly seeded areas and watch for construction vehicles.
• RKP is a wetland. Bringing bug spray and sun protection is highly recommended.
• RKP is a natural environment - no dogs are permitted on site (except assistance dogs).
• Speed limit is 30 km on the park access road.
• The Centre is on well water and beverage services are not available. Please bring a reusable water bottle.
• The site has a zero waste target and Styrofoam or disposable containers are discouraged.
• Pack out what you pack in - help us reach our zero waste goals.

About the park

Ralph Klein Park is the first park to be named for a former mayor during his lifetime. Ralph Klein, a visionary and tireless advocate on behalf of Calgary and Alberta, served as Calgary's 32nd Mayor and Alberta's 12th Premier.

Leader in Stormwater Management and Conservation

The Shepard Wetland at Ralph Klein Park was constructed to help solve a stormwater management issue for the east side of Calgary. In the past, stormwater from east Calgary was being discharged into the Western Headworks Canal (part of the Western Irrigation District’s irrigation system). Concerns over the quality of water entering this system led to Alberta Environment and the City jointly investigating and implementing a plan to manage stormwater within this 6,000 hectare area.

Constructed wetland at Ralph Klein Park

When you are at Ralph Klein Park take in the view, including the constructed wetland that surrounds the main building. This wetland functions as both a stormwater storage facility and a treatment wetland that naturally filters stormwater, improving the quality of stormwater before it is discharged south to the Bow River. At 156 hectares (385 acres), it is the largest constructed stormwater treatment wetland in Canada.

The wetland can store over 6 million cubic meters of water. This means it has enough capacity to handle a 1 in 100 year flood. A flood of this type will fill the wetland, making it look more like a lake (in any given year there is a 1% chance that this type of flood event may occur).

How it all works

A diversion channel intercepts water from the Western Headworks Canal during major rain events, channelling it 4 km south to the wetland at Ralph Klein Park. The stormwater enters the wetland in the NW corner of the park where it flows into two large forebays. This is where the initial cleaning process begins; the sediment (dirt) and heavy materials slowly sink to the bottom at this stage in the process.

The water is then dispersed into five wetland cells. Through the growth and decay of plants within the wetland cells, in combination with the micro-organisms associated with each of them, nutrients and pollutants are removed from the water.

In each cell there are several berms that create a longer flow path for the water, which aids in the cleaning process. Each treatment cell is designed to operate under base flow conditions of approximately 30 cm (1 foot) of water depth. Water depth can be up to 3 metres during a severe storm event, which submerges the internal berms, but the water remains contained by perimeter dykes and existing land forms. Once the water has travelled through these cells, it is then released into a common discharge bay that empties into a ditch that leads south to the Bow River, 10 km away.

Operation and Maintenance

Typically, it requires 2 – 3 years for wetland plants and vegetation to establish and the wetland to function as intended. Ongoing vegetation assessments have been an opportunity for The City to gain more knowledge regarding wetland maintenance and monitoring. Over 46 species of birds have been identified during initial vegetation assessment at Ralph Klein Park, which is a positive indicator of wetland health.

The City’s Water Services staff will be continually monitoring the wetland closely over the next several years to maximize treatment capacity and establish appropriate maintenance protocol.

The Centre includes:

• Two well-equipped classrooms for environmental education programming.
• Meeting rooms and convention style facilities available for booking.
• Art studio.
• Viewing roof.

The Environmental Education Ethics Centre will be a LEED^® Gold certified building by meeting high performance standards in environmental responsibility and energy efficiency.

For more information on the Centre and the programs offered please contact us at rkp@calgary.ca.

Book the Centre

Looking for the perfect venue for your corporate function, wedding or party? Go no further. The Environmental Education & Ethics Centre can accommodate 15 - 200 people and offers one of a kind retractable walls that open onto walkways that create an open air venue. There is also an exhibit hall, boardroom, three classrooms and an art studio. Green functions are the standard at Ralph Klein Park and eco-leaders and not-for-profit groups benefit with a 25% full-day rental discount for zero waste events.

Take advantage of the outdoor amenities including a green roof with outdoor patio and gas BBQ. In addition, there is an outdoor amphitheatre, picnic tables, shelter, outdoor washrooms and ample free parking.

To reserve your next social function or green meeting, contact us at rkp@calgary.ca or call us at 403-476-4350.