We're investing in Sunnyside, Hillhurst and the Memorial Park Corridor to increase flood resiliency and create spaces that enhance the connection with the river, natural environment and commemorate our heritage.

We are doing this by combining flood mitigation with new spaces for commemoration, vibrant and dynamic public spaces, and opportunities for a reimagined Memorial Drive with enhanced mobility options into one program – the Memorial Parkway program.

Memorial Parkway Program will deliver a comprehensive vision with capital projects to achieve the best outcome for the area (view the report to Council).

What is the Memorial Parkway?

Memorial Parkway refers to the entire corridor along Memorial Drive, between Centre Street and 14 Street N.W. This includes the roadway, the adjacent green space and walking and cycling infrastructure, the Memorial Trees and the Sunnyside Flood Barrier.

Benefits to Calgarians

The Sunnyside flood barrier is an important piece of infrastructure that will help protect people, homes, and businesses in Sunnyside and Hillhurst. We’re still committed to delivering a 1:100 level flood barrier.  In conjunction with upstream storage, provided by construction of a new reservoir and modified operations of TransAlta’s Ghost reservoir for five years, it will help us manage flood water and avoid the type of damage we saw in 2013.

At the same time, the barrier’s location along an iconic stretch of Calgary is an important consideration. Memorial Drive is one of Calgary’s most cherished corridors and must be protected and where possible enhanced.  When designing and constructing the flood barrier, we have a chance to build upon improvements to this area that have happened over the last 10 years and continue to improve the entire public space surrounding Memorial Drive from 14th Street to Centre Street while adding critical flood protection.  The new flood barrier will also provide the building blocks for future climate resiliency.

A refreshed vision for the area would include:

• Creating more unique spaces that bring us together to connect with each other, our history and to nature.
• A focus on improving how people move around the area, whether it’s by foot, bus, bike, or car for safer and easier passage.
• Providing more and safer access points for people to get to the river.
• Introducing new ways to enhance the vibrancy of the natural environment while preserving as many trees as possible. This includes the Memorial poplar trees that remember our fallen soldiers.

We used a similar integrated approach in Eau Claire, where we brought in multiple disciplines to solve the challenge of enhancing the beauty and usability, while seamlessly integrating a flood barrier into the space.

Reports to Council

• Infrastructure and Planning Committee- Feb 3
  • 7.2 Memorial Parkway Program, IP 2022-0035
  • Calgary’s Climate Change Program

• Calgary’s Environment Strategy

• Sunnyside Stormwater Lift Station
• Riley Local Area Plan
• Kensington Area Improvements
• Northwest Inner -City Community Drainage Improvements
• Green Line LRT
• Eau Claire Area Improvements