August 2025 Newsletter

Hello Ward 6, 

As August nears its end so does summer vacation. There's a familiar shift in the air—early morning buses are back on the streets, backpacks are getting packed, and families are settling into the rhythm of a new school year. Whether you're a parent juggling schedules, a student stepping into a new classroom, or a resident simply adjusting to the return of routine in our community, this time of year always brings a sense of fresh beginnings.

This month also marks a different kind of transition - it’s the final Ward 6 newsletter before the upcoming municipal election. The Ward 6 team has had the great privilege of sharing regular updates with you and working hard to address the issues that matter most to our community. From traffic calming and park improvements to housing, small business support, and more, our shared priorities have shaped the work we've done together. The last ask we have for our residents is to engage and inform themselves in the upcoming Municipal Election and go vote October 20!

In this newsletter, you’ll find important back-to-school resources, Bow Trail repaving, transit fare validation, project updates, and much more. Regardless of what the next chapter brings, we are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together in Ward 6, and grateful for your continued engagement, advocacy, and support. Thank you Ward 6 residents!

We wish you and your family a smooth and safe start to the school year.

-Ward 6 team

Status Update on Douglas Fir Trail Closure Assessment

Current closure

The DFT remains partially closed (sections DFT-III and DFT-IV) since November 2023 to help mitigate risks to public safety (see Figure 2). Barriers, signage, and fencing remain in place.

Slope remediation - DFT-III

We continue to work with adjacent landowners to finalize land access agreements. Once complete, our contractor, Graham Infrastructure LP, will begin remediation work, with projected completion in 2026.

Trail closure assessment - DFT-IV

The assessment, initiated in July 2024, addresses erosion, seepage, slope stability, and trail integrity. Originally scheduled for completion in Q1 2025, the study is now expected by the end of Q3 2025. The extended timeline reflects the complexity of the site and the need for comprehensive analysis.

All fieldwork, including drilling, slope monitoring, and surveys, has been completed. A draft report from the third-party consultant is under City review, with final results expected by the end of Q3 2025. These findings will inform next steps for this section of the trail.

Monitoring

Through the City’s steep slope management program, our teams conduct monthly inspections and collect instrumentation data for both DFT-III and DFT-IV. These proactive measures enable timely action when required.

Use of gravel parking area near the trail

The lot, reserved from July 28, 2025, to October 2026, remains open and will only close when construction begins. At that point, it will be used for staging and equipment storage for approximately 16 months, potentially into late 2026 if delays occur.

Next Steps

• Finalize land access agreements for DFT-III remediation.
• Complete the DFT-IV assessment by Q3 2025.
• Determine next steps for Douglas Fir Trail project.

Bow Trail Repaving

Construction along Bow Trail S.W., where pavement resurfacing is set to take place from 33 Street S.W. to 40 Street S.W, started on the week of August 11. The anticipated completion is in late September.  

Please note road construction is weather-dependent, and the schedule is subject to change. 

Construction Schedule

During construction, crews will work Monday to Sunday, to ensure timely completion. 

• Daytime concrete repair and replacement work will take place during off-peak hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m Monday to Saturday and all-day Sunday. 
• Nighttime milling and paving will occur between 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.  

Impacts on Traffic and Area

As work progresses, we anticipate temporary lane closures and nighttime multi-lane closures with advance signage, construction dust, noise, vibrations and uneven driving surfaces with protruding manholes. Transit routes accessing Bow Trail S.W. may be impacted. For more information, please visit calgarytransit.com.

Street Improvements at 73 Grafton Dr S.W.

The City, in collaboration with our contractor ALSA Construction, will be installing mid-block crossing curb extensions on both the north and south sides of Grafton Dr S.W., at the pathway directly east of 73 Grafton Dr S.W. These curb extensions are designed to improve pedestrian and driver safety by shortening crossing distances, improving visibility, and reducing vehicle speeds. 

Construction is scheduled to take place throughout August and September 2025. Please note that landscaping in the area may be temporarily affected during this work, but contractors will restore it once construction is complete. Homeowners will be responsible for snow clearing of the new infrastructure after installation. 

For more information about upcoming Various Street Improvements in your community, please visit calgary.ca/improvements. If you have any questions or concerns, the project team can be reached at improvements@calgary.ca  

Let’s keep our kids safe as they head back to school

As we gear up for the school year, we are asking people who drive to prioritize the safety of our students, and remember these safety tips:

• Slow down and look out for them, especially in playground zones and around schools. It takes less than a minute to travel through most playground zones and speeding typically only “saves” a driver 10 seconds. Be safe and slow down. The kids are counting on us.
• Watch the crosswalks. Stopping or parking too close to a crosswalk creates. dangerous conditions for pedestrians. People crossing the street cannot see past a car that is parked too close and approaching drivers cannot see pedestrians. Stopping too close to a crosswalk, even for just a minute, is too long. Be safe and watch out – please do not block crosswalks.
• Double parking creates unsafe conditions. Double parking is when a vehicle stops or parks in the roadway alongside another already parked car. Double parked vehicles not only obstruct the flow of traffic but can block the view of other drivers, making it difficult to see pedestrians or other vehicles. Allowing passengers to get out of the car when double parked puts them in harm’s way. When you choose to double park, even just for a minute, our kids are at risk of getting hurt. Be safe, park smart!

When driving, please choose safety over convenience – the kids are counting on us. Learn more at calgary.ca/besafe.

Transit Fare Validator

Just a reminder as students go back to school that Calgary Transit mobile tickets (on the My Fare and Transit apps) will need to be validated on platforms before boarding a CTrain. The My Fare app will be updated so to require customers to activate their ticket by tapping it, followed by validating their ticket by scanning it on a CTrain platform validator. Just like paper tickets, customers riding without a validated proof of fare could face a fine. This new process will increase the proper use of mobile tickets to ensure more customers are paying their way.

Fares are an important part of covering the costs for The City of Calgary in delivering public transit. The new process of using platform validators will help ensure everyone who rides on transit uses a valid proof of fare, keeping those costs as balanced as possible.

Visit calgarytransit.com/news/changes-to-fare-validation for details.

Declutter and Discover! Join Us for the Citywide Treasure Hunt.

On September 6 and 7, 2025, join the city-wide Curbside Treasure Hunt by setting gently used items on your curb, marked “free” for neighbours to take. It’s a fun and easy way to give your things a second life and keep usable items out of the landfill.

How it works:

1. Clear the Clutter
   Find gently used items you no longer need—books, toys, small furniture, electronics, etc.
2. Label It “FREE”
   Clearly mark each item with a “FREE” sign. Only labeled items are part of the event. Download signs at calgary.ca/treasurehunt.
3. Set It Out
   Place your items neatly at the curb Saturday morning.
4. Treasure Hunt!
   Explore your neighbourhood and discover free finds all weekend long.
5. Wrap Up by 5 p.m. Sunday
   Take in anything left and consider donating to a local charity.

For safety reasons, please don’t put out items that could be hazardous or not safe to reuse, such as:

• Mattresses
• Toilets
• Baby gear or safety equipment that may not meet current standards

Do you live in a condo or apartment? You can participate as well! Coordinate with your property manager to establish a shared drop-off location.

Let’s keep good things out of the landfill and in the community—happy treasure hunting!

Creating the Guide for Small-Scale Housing

We’re creating The Guide for Small-Scale Housing: Rowhouse, Townhouse and Front-Back Semi-detached Development and we want your feedback.

When complete, the Guide will support the thoughtful design of rowhouses, townhouses and front-back semi-detached homes in Calgary’s developed communities. This will help ensure new developments are well-designed and fit into your neighbourhood.

Help us create a guide that supports better housing design and vibrant communities.

Visit Calgary.ca/smallscaleguide to learn more and provide feedback by September 15.

October 2025 General Election

Eligible voters can cast their ballots for the 2025 General Election starting Oct. 6, 2025.

During Advance Vote, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 11, voters can vote at any of the Advance Vote stations, regardless of the ward in which they reside.

On Election Day, Oct. 20, voters must vote at their designated voting station.

Voters can use the Where Do I Vote? tool on the Elections Calgary website to find their nearest Advance Vote location, as well as their designated voting station on Election Day.

Special (mail-in) ballots are available for request for voters who cannot vote during the Advance Vote or on Election Day for any reason. The last day to request a mail-in ballot to be mailed to you is Oct. 3. The last day for in-person pick-up is Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. All mail-in ballots must be received by the Elections Calgary office by 12 p.m. (noon) on Oct. 20. Mail-in packages can be requested online or by calling 403- 476-4100.

More information on where, when and how to vote, voter identification requirements and other important information about the 2025 General Election can be found at electionscalgary.ca/vote or by calling 403-476-4100.

Election Job Opportunities

Elections Calgary is hiring approximately 5,000 election workers, applications open Aug. 25

West Springs/Cougar Ridge Community Association

The WSCR Community Association is proud to once again present our annual family movie night in the park.

Event Details:

Movie Name: Legally Blonde
Date: August 23, 2025
Location: West Springs Park at the corner of 73rd Street and Westpoint Gardens SW

Schedule:

• 6:30 p.m. – Event opens, Darcy Daniels live music, and food trucks arrive – arrive early to secure your spot
• 7:00 p.m. – Welcome message and first draw prize of the night (from registered names) – winners must be in attendance to win and be aged 18+.
• 7:15 p.m. – Kids Talent Show begins
• 8:00 p.m. – Light permitting - kids cartoon begins
• 8:30 p.m. – Movie begins

Registration: Online registration is free and will become available on August 9, 2025.

Note that there will be prize draws during the night for registrants (winners must be in attendance to win and be aged 18+).

Additional details:

• This is a family friendly event for kids of all ages, so please be considerate and do not use profanity around the little ones
• 722 World Bier Haus (our key event sponsor) will be on hand again providing bagged popcorn and soft drinks
• Food trucks will be available for you to grab some movie snacks
• Port-o-potties and wash stations will also be on hand
• This is a volunteer run event so please note that it is every attendee’s responsibility to ensure your space is cleaned up after the event. Please also do your best to keep the area safe and clean for all attendees.

DID YOU KNOW that you do not need to live in the communities of West Springs or Cougar Ridge to be a member of WSCRCA. Sign up for only $25/year at https://wscr.ca/membership/

A big thank you to 722 World Bier Haus for being the event’s key sponsor once again.

Thank you for supporting your local community!

_______________________________________________

Coach Hill, Patterson Heights Community Association

Celebrate the end of summer at our 6th annual Movie in the Park! Join us for a night outside with food trucks and a movie for the whole family. Bring your lawn chairs and come early to check out the amazing food trucks.

We will also have some lawn games and a raffle! The raffle will be cash only and open only to members. You can buy your membership online or at the movie. Popcorn will be available right before showtime. More details will be released closer to the event!

When: Friday September 5, 2025

Where: Prominence Park (Patterson Boulevard and Patina Drive)

Movie: TBA SOON!

Time: Food Trucks from 4:30 - 7:30 and Movie Showtime is 7:15.

This is a free event for all community members!