July 2025 Newsletter

Hello Ward 6,

We hope you had a fantastic time celebrating the Calgary Stampede and that it brought opportunities to connect with your community, friends, and neighbours. July is in full swing, and as we continue to enjoy the summer season, we're excited to share the latest updates and information with you.

In this edition of the newsletter, you'll learn more about how you can participate in the future of the unique natural and cultural significance of Medicine Hills/Paskapoo Slopes, recent updates on mowing in parks, improvements to the 311 Calgary app, and much more happening right here in Ward 6.

As always, thank you for staying connected and engaged. We’re here to keep you informed and ensure your voice is heard.

-The Ward 6 Team

Keeping Medicine Hill / Paskapoo Slopes Natural

Natural areas are a type of park space that are managed to maintain natural characteristics. They’re natural environment spaces where plants, insects, birds, and other wildlife (broadly known as biodiversity) can live, while balancing public access and enjoyment.

Medicine Hill / Paskapoo Slopes, known for its steep hills and rolling landscape, is safeguarded under the Historical Resources Act. It is a place of deep cultural, spiritual, and historical importance for Indigenous Nations with long-standing ties to the land. Its natural features, along with important cultural and geological sites, help tell the story of this special place.

While we know Calgarians are passionate about exploring their local greenspaces by foot and by bike, we need to protect the ecological health and cultural significance of Medicine Hill/Paskapoo Slopes though respectful park behaviour. This means we look, listen, and learn, but avoid any actions that alter or harm the natural environment.

The creation of bike jumps, for instance, has the potential to increase soil erosion, create unstable and dangerous terrain conditions, damage native vegetation, risk spreading invasive species, disrupt wildlife habitat and unearth and damage archeological artifacts.

To keep our natural areas healthy, Calgary Parks recently restored damaged habitat in Medicine Hill/Paskapoo Slopes. This work involved removing bike jumps and unauthorized structures, loosening the soil, filling in holes and other hazards to pedestrian safety, and re-seeding bare soil with native grasses and wildflowers. Please respect these areas as the restoration takes root this summer.

The City of Calgary is committed to working with the community to ensure parks are safe and healthy for Calgarians to enjoy. For more information on natural areas and how they are maintained please visit https://www.calgary.ca/parks/natural-areas or contact 311.

Calgarians can also help shape the future of the park by participating in the Medicine Hill / Paskapoo Slopes Regional Park Master Plan public engagement.

Killarney Summer Park Engagement

Right next to Ward 6, in the Killarney/Glengarry community, the City is providing new opportunities for playing, socializing, relaxing, and gathering.

For more information on how to provide input go to Killarney Summer Park | Engage

Mowing in Parks Update

• The fourth mowing cycle of the season is in progress for community and regional parks across the city and is due to be complete within the target of 14 days. 
• The second mowing cycle for roadside greens (next to major roadways) is in progress and is due to be complete within the target of 28 days per cycle.    
• The number of mowing complaints received by 311 in June 2025 is down 62 per cent from June 2024 (1545 in 2024 vs. 593 in 2025). Callers are typically reporting that grass appears longer than they would like to see it. Mowing service levels remained on target for June (see the attached chart for more details).  
• We’ve worked hard to shorten mowing cycles this year by improving communication and collaboration between internal staff and contractors. More favourable weather and contractors delivering better performance has also helped keep the cycle times shorter.   
        

A summary of monthly mowing updates and more information about the types of greenspaces mowed by Parks & Open Spaces is available on calgary.ca/mowing.

Cart Spot Check Program

Cart Spot Check Program is currently taking place. Education based door knocking (in- person conversations and distribution of promotional materials) just commenced for households where carts have been observed as contaminated or misused repeatedly. Please pass along any inquiries you may receive, and we would be happy to assist.

• The intent of this program is to support citizens in reducing contamination in our blue and green carts and has been in place for many years now.
• Contamination can create safety hazards, increased processing times, equipment damage and higher costs (millions per year in landfilling costs and penalties).
• Recyclables are separated at our materials processing facility and sold to market. The revenue from recyclables is put back into the cart program to lower the rate citizens pay on their Enmax bill.
• Compost is also sold. Processors and end users will not purchase these materials if they are too contaminated, which can result in landfilling material and revenue loss.
• Since we started this program, we have seen a marked decrease in contamination costs.
• If we did not undertake this program annually, we would likely have to increase our rates to cover the cost of contamination.
•  The tagging isn’t intended to make citizens feel like they did something wrong, it’s meant to provide education by using real examples as some are not familiar with what goes where.

For more information go to: Contamination in the carts

311 Calgary app gets an update

The newly updated 311 Calgary app empowers Calgarians to work together, covering more than 90 City services. Every photo and report submitted helps The City respond more quickly and helps improve service delivery keeping our communities running smoothly.

How to use the app

Report issues you see, like potholes, graffiti, or missed waste collection. Simply describe the concern, upload photos, tag the location and submit your request.

New changes

New features include real-time status updates on submitted requests, allowing users to track progress and receive notifications. The app also includes a built-in City news feed sharing key programs, services, and updates. With only 30 per cent of 311 requests coming through the app, there's opportunity to grow this efficient digital option. Download the Calgary 311 app today and help spread the word.

What you need to know regarding the Municipal Election

Mail-in ballots for Calgary’s 2025 General Election available by request

Calgary’s General Election will take place on Oct. 20, 2025 and eligible voters can now request a special (mail-in) ballot if they are unable to go to a voting station during the Advance Vote or on Election Day.

Voters must meet eligibility requirements to receive a mail-in ballot.

Visit Elections Calgary or call 403-476-4100 to request a mail-in package. The last day to request a mail in ballot to be mailed to you is October 3, 2025. Requests after this date will need to be picked up in person at the Elections Calgary office.

Information about Calgary’s upcoming General Election, including mail-in ballots and voter eligibility can be found at www.electionscalgary.ca

Applications for election workers open in August

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming an election worker?

Elections Calgary is looking to recruit roughly 5,000 Calgarians to work the General Election in October 2025, and the application portal opens in August.

Election workers help with voting and vote counting, including voting station set up and take down, helping voters with the voting process and counting ballots. There are many opportunities available and it’s a great way to show your civic and community pride.

You can be an election worker if you are eligible to work in Canada and are over the age of 16. Apply today and participate in one of Calgary’s biggest community engagement events!

Information about Calgary’s upcoming General Election, including applying to be an election worker, can be found at electionscalgary.ca

Celebrate Neighbour Day in Signal Hill – July 20th!

Join us on Sunday, July 20th from 12–4 PM at the Signal Hill Community Association for a free, fun-filled Neighbour Day celebration!

Expect:

Bouncy Castles

Petting Zoo

Face Painting

Music

Local Vendors

Tasty Snacks & Refreshments

SHCA Parking Lot & Ice Rinks

Admission: FREE!

More Info: https://shca.ca/events/2025-shca-neighbour-day/

Ward 6:  

Date: July 21, 2025 

Time: 5:30pm-8:30pm  

Location: Ambrose University, 150 Ambrose Cir SW  

__________________

Date: September 11, 2025 

Time: 5:30pm-8pm  

Location: Ambrose University, 150 Ambrose Cir SW  

Complete the survey: Add your voice to the engagement survey from KPMG

Downtown Summer Festivals & Events

Sunny days and cool nights are here, in downtown Calgary!

 With over 200 festivals and events happening between June and September, downtown Calgary is the place to be this summer. To make it easier than ever to explore what’s happening, we’ve created the Downtown Summer Festivals & Events Website – your go-to guide to find festivals, events, markets and cultural experiences happening downtown all summer long.

Downtown is home to some of our city’s most noteworthy landmarks and biggest celebrations. These events bring Calgarians together to experience community, creativity, and culture – and to support the local businesses and artists that make our downtown authentically Calgary. Whether you’re taking in major celebrations or discovering new ones – downtown is bursting with energy, entertainment and fun all season long.

Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready for an unforgettable summer. Visit calgary.ca/summerfestivals to start planning your downtown adventure.