Ward 14 - Peter Demong

May 2025 Newsletter

Hello Ward 14!

It’s May! There will be May flowers following the April showers.

Here is some information about YardSmart, and Calgary’s news Zoning Bylaw. Finally, I will write about Emergency Preparedness Week. I hope you will read about it.

Create a beautiful and resilient YardSmart yard this spring!

A YardSmart yard stays beautiful longer during hot and dry weather compared to yards completely planted with grass. The City's YardSmart program provides helpful resources that show you how to plan, build, and maintain your yard, including:

  • Layouts & plant lists for all over your yard – wet, full sun, partial sun, and shade areas.
  • Easy to follow information on planting, watering and maintenance.
  • How-to videos including how to garden on a budget and creating a pollinator friendly yard.

Remember, new plants need lots of water to get established, especially during the heat of summer. You can do your part to reduce your water consumption and help your yard and garden retain moisture by:

  • Installing a rain barrel to use in your yard and garden. It is a simple, yet effective way to reduce your water use by acting as a backup source of water.
  • Only giving plants the water they need.
  • Mowing less often to keep your grass 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 inches) high to shade the soil.
  • Replacing portions of your lawn with garden features that use less water and help absorb rainwater such as low water-use perennials and shrubs, lawn alternatives or groundcovers.
  • Adding good quality soil to help retain moisture and mulch on top to reduce evaporation.

To learn more about how to create a beautiful, resilient yard and garden that uses less water, visit calgary.ca/YardSmart.

Input Opportunity: Calgary Plan and Zoning Bylaw

The City Building Program is made up of three initiatives:

  • The Calgary Plan (merges, streamlines and updates the current Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan into one document) is the highest-level planning document guiding future land use and growth.
  • The Zoning Bylaw (currently the Land Use Bylaw) regulates how and where buildings are developed.
  • The Street Manual (currently the Complete Streets Policy & Guide) guides how streets are designed to support safe travel options. 

From now until May 31, the City is looking for input from you on these important documents.

To learn more about the three elements of the City Building Program and submit your thoughts visit calgary.ca/citybuilding.

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4 – 10

Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. Knowing what to do before a disaster strikes can go a long way in helping you, your family, and your community during an emergency.

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4 – 10. This annual event takes place across Canada every May to highlight the importance of getting prepared for emergencies before they happen.

During Emergency Preparedness Week and throughout the year, Calgarians should take steps to get prepared for emergencies to help minimize the impacts.

  • Know the risks - learn about the types of hazards that can occur in Calgary and how you can better prepare for them.
  • Stay informed – stay tuned to local and regional emergency alerts and other trusted sources of information.
  • Get prepared - every emergency is different, but having a plan will help you and your family know what to do and who to contact in different situations. Get started by downloading our emergency action plan, available in different languages at calgary.ca/getready.      

In addition to preparing yourself and your household for emergencies, building connections within your community can also help. Neighbours, co-workers and friends often provide crucial support during times of crisis. Creating a network you can rely on during an emergency can help you and others you care about stay safe.

Visit calgary.ca/getready to learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, and the events taking place in the community during Emergency Preparedness Week.

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Feel free to contact me any time. The best way to contact me is by visiting calgary.ca/contactward14 or calling (403) 268-1653.

Sincerely,

Councillor Peter Demong

Categories: Newsletter

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