CONNECT: Calgary’s Parks Plan

Designing the future of Calgary’s parks system CONNECT: Calgary's Parks Plan

Parks and Open Spaces has finalized the next 20-year plan on how The City will develop, redevelop, and manage parks in Calgary. Our goal is to connect Calgarians with the environment, wellness, culture and each other, through our shared public parks spaces. 

Background

It’s been 20 years since we updated our Parks Plan, and during this time, the needs of Calgarians and our city have changed. We want to deliver exceptional, sustainable, inclusive parks for all Calgarians - now, and for the future.

Parks are public spaces with huge environmental, social and economic benefits. They are an essential component of a healthy, vibrant and resilient city. Calgary’s parks belong to everyone, so everyone should have a say in their future. Thanks to the feedback from Calgarians, the project team has finalized a draft Parks Plan that works for our city, our environment, our communities, and our future.

Project update – May 2025

The City of Calgary will present Connect: Calgary's Parks Plan to Infrastructure and Planning Committee (IPC) on May 14, 2025, with a Council date to follow on May 27, 2025. If you wish to speak at the public hearing or submit public comments, please visit the following link: Participate in public hearings of Council and committee.

Read the draft plan

This Plan will replace the original Open Space Plan approved by Council in 2002 and will determine how Calgary's parks are managed, developed and redeveloped over the next 20 years.

Plan highlights

Based on feedback from Calgarians through an extensive public engagement process, Connect developed strategic directions that were refined to provide policy direction on four key priorities:

  • Protecting and enhancing environmentally significant areas (wetlands, grasslands, tree stands) while focusing on the planting native species and growing the urban tree canopy in Calgary.
  • Connecting and growing the parks system by increasing the minimum size of parks in new communities and adding additional functionality to parks in established communities.
  • Inclusive and supportive spaces that provide parks that are welcoming for all Calgarians in the way we design and consider amenities for parks. This also includes creating more volunteer opportunities and partnerships with community groups.
  • Enhancing management and maintenance of park spaces by refreshing and standardizing the funding and care of parks. 
Children playing on playground

Strategic directions to guide the future

Each of these directions supports the future improvement of the park system to create cherished places that connect us to nature, our heritage and one another.

  • Conservation and Protection of the Environment

    Improve, enhance and support nature conservation, wildlife protection and biodiversity by taking a nature-based approach, using the best practices of ecological network planning to balance the environment with other social and economic factors in city building decisions.

  • Climate Resilience

    Build a resilient city that can accommodate drought, flood, extreme heat and cold events to reduce negative impacts to property and Calgarians.

  • Inclusive and Accessible

    Ensure that the park system meets the needs of all Calgarians through the provision of parks and amenities that address barriers to access and incorporate barrier-free design.

  • Connectivity for People and Wildlife

    Strengthen connection to the park system by supporting different travel options for Calgarians. Support connectivity through natural areas to provide space for wildlife movement.

  • Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing

    Develop and manage parks that support physical and mental health and active lifestyles of Calgarians through public recreation and sports amenities, multi-use passive recreation amenities and access to nature opportunities.

  • Support Communities

    Support the stewardship of the park system and provide communal spaces to foster neighbourhood gathering, events and a sense of connectedness.

  • Cultural Landscapes

    Conserve and protect cultural landscapes (Indigenous, recent heritage, archaeological) and continue to build relationships and work together with Indigenous peoples to incorporate traditional and ancestral knowledge, management and places for ceremony in the park system.

  • Safety and Security

    Reduce user conflicts in the park system through design, education and regulation; and partner with community service groups to address mental health and encampment issues.

  • Economic Resilience

    Pursue financial sustainability and an equitable distribution of resources by providing a high-quality park system with multifunctional value and operational efficiency through a standard level of service maintenance.

  • Innovation

    Promote forward-looking practices and data-based decision making in park provision, design and management.

This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically. ​

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