Douglas Fir Trail Project
Project update – November 2025
Repair work on a smaller section of the slope is moving ahead as planned (see Figure 1 – Slope Remediation Work Area). Construction on this part of the slope is expected to finish in October 2026.
The City has also completed a detailed assessment study of a larger portion of the Douglas Fir Trail to better understand long-term issues such as water seepage, erosion, trail condition, and slope stability. This study began in 2024, and a summary of the results is provided below.
Timelines
- Draft assessment study completed: October 2025
- Repairs to a small part of the slope: September 2025 - October 2026
- Looking for funding for the trail repair: 2026
- Potential design work and trail repair: 2026-2027
- Trail reopening: Timing still to be determined.
Contact us
Have questions or concerns about this project? Please email us at douglasfirtrail@calgary.ca.
Related information
Figure 1 – Closure of Douglas Fir Trail and pathway area since September 2025
Why the Trail is closed
The Douglas Fir Trail sits on a very steep slope made of loose soil and weak rock. Over many years, water, erosion, and natural wear have destroyed parts of the trail and made it dangerous for public use.
In addition to this, in 2014, our inspections confirmed that a small section of the slope needed major rehabilitation, including fixing potential instability and replacing an old retaining wall that supports the Regional Pathway.
In 2023, inspections showed that some sections were no longer safe to use, and we closed part of the trail to help protect people and the surrounding natural habitat.
In 2023, we received funding from the City Council for slope repairs, and by fall 2025, we finalized all the necessary approvals and agreements from the adjacent landowners to begin the construction. In September 2025, we expanded the trail closure to accommodate construction in the area, including a laydown area in the parking lot of Edworthy Park and access route to the construction site which is the regional pathway. (see Figure 2).
Figure 2. Douglas Fir Trail closure area
We are now repairing a 150-metre section of the slope above the Bow River Regional Pathway (see Figure 1). This will help protect:
- People using the Trail and Bow River Regional Pathway
- The railway line below the slope
- The long-term stability of the hillside
We ask all trail users to follow posted signs and detours during construction.
What is being repaired right now (2025–2026)
Construction to fix the small slope instability began in September 2025 and will continue until October 2026.
Crews are:
- Strengthening the small section of slope to help mitigate the risk to potential future movement
- Improving drainage so help avoid washouts of the trail at that location
- Installing slope monitoring equipment
- Restoring the natural habitat (tree planting and landscaping) which has been damaged by washouts and users not following the marked trail
These current repairs are not focusing on rebuilding of the washed-out sections of the trail; that is The City’s next project that we spent the last 1.5 years assessing. We are now looking for project funding to reopen the trail.
Bow River Regional Pathway Closure
A section of the Bow River Regional Pathway below the trail was closed on September 9, 2025, to allow equipment and crews to safely access the slope. We expect it to reopen in October 2026, once the repair work is complete.
Please note: this pathway closes every November to May each year as part of its regular seasonal closure.
Figure 3. Slope remediation and assessment study area at Douglas Fir Trail
What we learned from the 2024–2025 assessment study
From January 2024 to October 2025, the City studied the full 1.5 km length of the trail to understand long-term conditions such as erosion, drainage, and stability (see Figure 3).
Key findings
- 1,494 metres of trail were studied:
- 991 m are in good condition
- 228 m are in fair condition
- 275 m are in poor condition
- Several areas show constant washout.
- Some older trail sections and structures do not meet City’s current structural, durability, and/or accessibility standards.
Future work to reopen the trail will need to:
- Potentially realign 2 small portions of the trail to the lower part of the slope, moving them to a safer area to help avoid the constant washouts.
- Improve drainage and reduce future erosion.
- Protect plants, wildlife, and the natural look of the trail.
- Renaturalize portions of the trail damaged by users not staying on the marked trail itself.
- Planting new trees and landscaping.
This larger trail repair project is not yet funded, but The City is actively pursuing funding currently. City’s goal is to provide a long-term, safe durable solution to reopen the Douglas Fir Trail.
Douglas Fir Trail project background
Slope instability and erosion have affected the Douglas Fir Trail since it was built in the 1960s. Over the years, several studies and repairs have taken place, including volunteer work. However, volunteer repairs are no longer recommended because previous improvements only lasted a few years before eroding again.
Key historical milestones:
Next steps
The City is working on a long-term plan to repair the trail, reduce future washouts, and reopen to the public.
While slope repairs continue, we will speak with partners and the community about priorities and future design options. The larger trail repair project does not yet have funding, and the reopening timeline is still unknown.
In 2026, if funding becomes available, The City will complete design work (potential small trail realignments to safer zones and channelization of drainage issues), hold public information sessions, consult with adjacent landowners, obtain regulatory approvals, and complete environmental baseline studies.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any risk to nearby homes?
The City is conducting monthly inspections to help monitor the Douglas Fir Trail slope. At this time, based on our data, there is no immediate danger to the adjacent properties.
Is the Bow River pathway closed?
Yes. The Bow River Pathway closes every winter from November to May. It is also closed in this area until October 2026 to facilitate slope repairs. When complete, the Bow River Pathway will continue to close every winter from November to May.
When will the Douglas Fir Trail reopen?
The project to repair the poor condition of the trail is not funded yet, so the reopening date is unknown. One option being considered is realigning 2 small portions of the trail to the lower part of the slope, moving them to a safer area to help avoid the constant washouts; improving drainage to reduce future erosion.
In 2026, we will look for funding to repair the trail and, if it becomes available, we will begin work on design and public information sessions. Future construction on the trail would also need to meet regulatory requirements such as Water Act approval, biophysical and historical resource assessments, environmental baseline studies, and coordination with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway. We will continue to explore funding opportunities to support future trail development and repairs.
Can I volunteer to help with trail restoration?
We appreciate the community’s interest in volunteering, but for safety reasons, volunteer work is not possible at this time.
Why is the City doing construction in Douglas Fir Trail now?
Construction is required because 2023 geotechnical inspections found instability along a 150 m section. After getting all the necessary approvals from adjacent land owners, we began construction in September 2025. This repair is expected to be completed in October 2026.
Is the City removing the trail or replacing it with a paved pathway?
No. The City does not intend to permanently remove the trail and, if funded, will not replace the trail with a paved pathway. We are exploring moving parts of the trail that are in poor condition to a safer part of the slope.
How is the Douglas Fir Trail closure related to the habitat restoration project?
The City is working on a 10-year plan to improve Edworthy Park’s habitat and protect its wildlife while making sure the park is still accessible to the public. Ongoing restoration projects in the park are happening alongside efforts to reopen the trail.
What were the results of the recent geotechnical assessment study (2024-2025)?
The 2024-2025 study found water seepage, erosion, and worn-out areas. Of the 1,494 metres reviewed, 991 metres are good, 228 metres are fair, and 275 metres are poor. Future work should avoid unstable areas and protect the environment. No instability was noticed in the studied portion of the trail.
When did the south parking lot close to the public, and how long will it remain closed?
The gravel part of the south parking lot will be temporarily closed for staging and equipment storage during the construction starting from September 2025. This closure is expected to last until late fall 2026. Also, part of the Bow River regional pathway will need to close temporarily during construction for access. Signs will be posted in advance to notify park users.
Are there alternative parking options?
Yes. While the south gravel parking lot will stay partly open during construction, visitors can also use the north parking lot, which connects to Edworthy Park.
Can people still use the park space and trails on the south side?
The paved part of the south parking lot is open during construction, but the gravel part of the parking lot is being used for construction staging.