August 2023 Newsletter

Hello Ward  6,

I hope you had a great summer enjoying BBQ’s, spending time with loved ones, and experiencing a slower pace of life before getting back to your normal routine in September. In this edition of the August newsletter, you will read about providing input on the Calgary Housing Strategy, public safety, and community events.

COUNCIL UPDATES

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Provide input on The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy

Housing is a basic need for everyone. Calgary has grown significantly over the past few years and right now there are more Calgarians struggling to afford or find a home that meets their needs.

The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy is being updated to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and affordable housing market in Calgary. It will support all aspects of the housing continuum, ensuring individuals have access to safe, affordable housing.

The strategy includes a detailed implementation plan outlining actions we can take as a City to address the housing crisis and remove barriers to housing affordability and economic prosperity. The plan incorporates six recommendations and 33 actions from the Housing and Affordability Task Force, which were presented to Council in June.

The refreshed strategy and implementation plan will be reviewed at the Community Development Committee Meeting on September 14. Calgarians will have the opportunity to have their voices heard at that meeting.

Learn more go to https://calgary.ca/housingstrategy

To sign up to participate go to https://www.calgary.ca/council/meetings/public-hearing.html

Excitement builds for Green Line and the Airport Transit Connector

City Council has approved RouteAhead, the 30-year strategic plan for Calgary Transit. The feedback received from Council, Administration, and the public all combine to guide the long-term plan for Calgary Transit. RouteAhead lists 16 Council-approved projects to grow the Primary Transit Network, including Green Line and the Airport Transit Connector.

RouteAhead ranks Green Line as having the highest benefits score (99/100) on the list of 16 future transit projects. Benefits were analyzed using five weighted categories: ridership, customer experience, economic, social and environmental benefits.

The criteria weighting focuses on maximizing benefits for the most customers, and highlights associated positive outcomes from projects. Green Line Stage 1 benefits include job creation, improved connections, reduced emissions, enhanced green spaces along the alignment and community revitalization.

In 2020, Council approved Stage 1 of the Green Line, from Shepard to 16 Avenue North, and following provincial and federal reviews, it was approved by all funding partners in 2021.

RouteAhead also outlines plans for a future Airport Transit Connector, linking the Blue Line and Green Line to the airport. A connection to the Calgary International Airport from Green Line in the west at 96 Ave NE to Blue Line in the east at 88 Ave NE, will bring travelers and employees to and from the Calgary International Airport, with key stops in the surrounding industrial areas.

Phase 1 of the Green Line will provide Calgarians with fast, frequent, and reliable transit service to communities, activity centres, main streets, tourist destinations and essential services.

For details, see the RouteAhead report at calgary.ca/RouteAhead.

DID YOU KNOW?

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On Demand update for Springbank Hill communities

After a successful pilot of On Demand transit service in Springbank Hill communities since October 2020, ridership in this area has increased to a level supporting fixed-route service.

Beginning on September 4, 2023, On Demand service in Aspen Woods, Christie Park, Strathcona Park, Signal Hill, Springbank Hill and Discovery Ridge will be replaced with fixed-route service, and you’ll no longer be able to book On Demand trips to or from these communities. On Demand will continue to provide service in Carrington and Livingston.

The new routes serving Springbank Hill beginning on September 4 are:

• Route 51 - West Springs/Discovery Ridge (replacing current route 453 - West Springs)
• Route 94 - Strathcona /Signal Hill
• Route 164 - Aspen Summit/Richmond Terminal

Existing Routes 93 - Coach Hill/Westbrook Station, 98 - Cougar Ridge, 111 – Old Banff Coach Road and 156 – Aspen Woods will remain unchanged.

The new route maps are available at calgarytransit.com/Fall2023

Low Income Seniors Yearly Transit Pass

From June 1, 2023 until March 31, 2024, seniors aged 65 or older are eligible to apply for a Low-Income Seniors Yearly Calgary Transit Pass based on individual income. Eligibility for this pass typically requires acceptance into The City’s Fair Entry program based on household income, but funding from the Government of Alberta has allowed for a temporary eligibility change.

Seniors can apply under the new criteria online at calgary.ca/FairEntry, by mail, fax or in-person at the Fair Entry counter at Village Square Branch Calgary Public Library – 2623 56 Street N.E. or the Municipal Building - 800 Macleod Trail S.E..

Once an individual has received approval under the new criteria, the Low-Income Seniors Yearly Calgary Transit pass can be purchased online or in-person. Details are available at calgarytransit.com/content/transit/en/home/fares---passes/where-to-buy-.html

Public Safety

We are committed to improving safety and security on Calgary’s Transit system. To view the City’s weekly Transit Safety Snapshot for the latest statistics on the Transit Public Safety (calgary.ca) webpage. You can also view the City’s Community Safety Activities and Updates Community safety (calgary.ca)

Essential Tips for Preparing Children for Emergencies

With kids returning to school, now is the perfect time to review your home emergency preparedness plan so your family is ready for anything.

Emergencies and disasters affect children and adults, but the impact of emergencies can carry more weight for children because they may have to deal with situations they don’t have the skills to handle. As adults, we know Calgary is no stranger to emergencies and disasters, so how do we prepare our little ones? Whether it’s heavy rain, hail, power outages or extreme cold, disasters can happen at any time of year, sometimes with little to no warning.

There are four key steps we can all take to help prepare for an emergency:

1. Talk to your kids about disaster risks in Calgary
2. Include them in your household’s emergency planning
3. Look for opportunities to learn more about emergency preparedness
4. As a family, walk through how to prepare your home for an emergency

The Ready Squad e-course was designed to teach your kids about Calgary’s disaster and emergency risks, how they can prepare, what they can do to stay safe during an emergency, and what they can expect after. Children can also download the Junior Weather Forecaster’s Challenge – a fun and creative way for the whole family to learn more about the weather and its effects in Calgary.

Visit calgary.ca/ReadySquad to find out more.

Be Safe.  Watch Out.  Park Smart.

With the excitement of returning to school comes many distractions – distractions that can be dangerous for both drivers and children.

This September, The City wants to remind and encourage anyone who is driving kids to school to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly. We ask parents and guardians not to park where it’s prohibited during drop off and pick up times, such as blocking crosswalks, laneways and private driveways.

We know pick up and drop off times can get quite busy. We ask you to give yourself extra time to navigate safely around schools, whether you are walking, wheeling, or driving.

For those who drive, you can help alleviate congestion by parking a block or two away and walking in, wherever possible. And please talk to your kids about safe practices like using crosswalks with patrols, and not jaywalking across the roadways as a shortcut.

Learn more by visiting https://www.calgary.ca/be-safe and let’s all have a safe school year!

Help plan Calgary’s future for older adults!

If you have first-hand insight on living as an older adult or as a caregiver for an older adult, consider volunteering for the Older Adult Advisory Table and share your ideas. Your expertise will be used to inform strategies and actions for the Age-Friendly Calgary Steering Committee, projects and City of Calgary services. Deadline for online applications is September 13. Visit Calgary.ca/agefriendly for more information.

Community Events

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Ward 6 Open House

Save the date! On Wednesday, October 4th, 2023 from 6:00-8:00 PM I will be hosting our Ward 6 Open House at the Rundle College (7379 17 Avenue SW). The Ward 6 Office Staff and I have asked expert representatives from various City departments to be on hand to address any questions or concerns that you may have. City of Calgary attendees will include representatives from Mobility, Parks, Waste & Recycling, Transit, Neighbourhoods, the Calgary Police Service and many more. We look forward to seeing you there!

Follow us on our social media accounts and ensure you are up to date on all our community events!

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CHPH- chph.ca

Movie in the Park is September 8!

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and join the community for our 4th Annual Movie in the Park. Pets on leash welcome too! Snacks and drinks available thanks to our partners.

This event is free for everyone, but donations are greatly appreciated! This is also a great time to renew an expired membership (or get a new one) as the they will be valid an extra 3 months until December 2024.

When: Friday September 8

Where: Prominence Park (Patterson Boulevard and Patina Drive)

Time: Food Trucks and Entertainment starting at 4:30 pm

Show Time at 7:15 pm

Help pick the movie by voting here

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Discovery Ridge- https://discoveryridge.com

Music in the Park

It will be held on Saturday, September 9, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm in our green space next to the rink and tennis courts. For anyone new to this event, it is an afternoon of music, tasty food, and a beer and wine garden. Admission is free! Bring a lawn chair and come join us for a fun/musical afternoon.

For our event to run, we need the help of our community volunteers. The Music In The Park committee needs help with set up and take down, serving (must be ProServe certified), ticket sales, and gate security. Last year the shifts were two hours each. With more volunteers, the shifts could be shorter.

To volunteer for Music in the Park, contact Lillian at volunteer@discoveryridge.com or complete our Volunteer Form.

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Westgate Community Association- 4943 8 Ave SW https://westgatecommunity.ca/

Westgate Community is holding Neighbour/Family Day on Saturday 26th August, 2023, from 10:30am-2:00pm.

There will be entertainment, bike parade for kids, Remax Bouncy castle, Lawn games, City of Calgary recreation staff/volunteers for activities, Food Truck and much more.

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West Springs/Cougar Ridge CA (WSCR)- https://wscr.ca/

Save the date! WSCRCA is proud to present our 4th annual Family Movie in the Park on Saturday, August 26, 2023, starting at 6:30 pm. 

There will be food trucks, a performance by the Darcy Daniels Band, prizes and movie snacks provided by our event's key sponsor - World Bier Haus!

Online registration is free and will become available on August 11th. Check out https://wscr.ca/family-movie-night-in-the-park/ for all the details.

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Celebrate Calgary Culture Days

Calgary Culture Days takes place September 1 – 30, 2023 and is an opportunity for all Calgarians to discover, experience and celebrate arts and culture in their community, downtown and across the city.

Calgary Culture Days coincides with Alberta Culture Days through the month of September and with National Culture Days, which is celebrated September 22 – October 15, 2023.

Find out more information on Calgary Culture Day events on calgary.ca/culturedays.