A Howlin’ Good Time
River Park Off-leash News
SEPTEMBER 2008
UPCOMING STUFF
River Park Clean-up
Sunday, October 6
9:30 - 11:00am
Hope you’ll join us. Please
bring some bags and gloves
and meet at the south end
near the parking lot.
Less daylight and tall grass
on the east side of the trail is
making it difficult to find our
dog’s poop. We need to work
harder to keep the park
clean.
Brunch
Garrison Pub
Sunday, October 6
11:30 - 1:00pm
After the clean-up, join us for
brunch at the Garrison Pub
(next to My Favourite Ice
Cream in Marda Loop)
Please feel free to share
this newsletter with
friends. If at any time you
no longer wish to receive
communication, just let
me know.
Candice Lee
287-1029 (home)
703-1671 (cell)
leesmale@telusplanet.net
River Park Update
Get Ready for the Public Consulatation Process
As many of you know a consultant was hired
to develop a management plan for River Park.
The public consultation process should begin
sometime in September. This will be an
opportunity to learn about plans and voice
your opinion. When the time comes, make
sure you’re informed and make every effort to
attend meetings. You can check the City of
Calgary’s website (www.calgary.ca) for updates
on the plan.
Many people ask about the history of River
Park. Here’s some information that I’ve
gathered from meetings:
1956 Agreement for River (Harvie) Park
- Discussions began in 1952 to subdivide
property between 14th and 15th Streets and
39th and 50th Avenues
- In 1956, Eric Harvey donated a portion of his
land in perpetuity for multi-use
- Area was defined as River Park, Sandy
Beach and Britannia escarpment
- To be used for rest and relaxation in a natural
setting (grass, trees, shrubs, railings, steps
and footbridges but no ornamental flower
beds or manicured lawns)
- No vehicular traffic, commercial concessions,
billboards or advertising
- Development of foot paths, bicycle paths,
bridle paths, lookouts and picnic/lounging
areas
- City responsible for maintenance/upkeep
Off-leash status
- In 1986 or 1987 Alderman Barb Scott was
instrumental in gaining off-leash status in
River Park
Early Efforts
- In the late 80’s and early 90’s Kate Currey’s
group, Parks for Paws organized informal
River Park clean-ups; The City of Calgary
awarded Kate for initiating annual clean-ups
and providing educational information about
maintenance and care of the park
- The Parks for Paws River Park Clean-
up was the impetus for other groups to
care for their parks and has become a highly
recognized annual event throughout the city
Pathways
- In December 2006, dog owners learned that
2 paved pathways were approved by City
Council back in 2000
- News of paved pathways alarmed dog owners
because dogs must be leashed on pathways
(leash must not exceed 2 metres)
- Proposed pathway locations are the north/
south trail (its entire length) and an east/west
route close to where the orange frost fence
was; cyclists cite locations as the “missing
link” to the commuter pathway system
- The north/south pathway would link the
pathway from across 50th Ave to the east/west
pathway which would lead up to Crestview Rd
and allow easy access to Sifton Blvd
- Cycling advocates don’t recognize the paved
cycle pathway in Sandy Beach or 14A Street
as viable options for commuting
- Although approved in 2000, Alderman Barry
Erskine assured us in 2007 pathways were
on hold
Meetings
- Meetings took place in 2006 at City Hall
with Alderman Barry Erskine
(reps from stakeholder groups included
residents, cyclists/pathway users and
environmentalists (dog owners were not
represented until 2007); other identified
user groups such as seniors and
physically challenged people were not
represented at all
- In 2007, stakeholder reps attended
several meetings at City Hall, at a
stakeholder’s home and community halls
- We learned other park users have many
concerns about dog owners: bad dog
behaviour, bad dog owner behaviour, the
amount of dogs in the park and feces
continued on next page
River Park Update - continued
- Stakeholder reps learned that River Park
is a Class C park – this determines the
amount of maintenance it receives
(ie: Olympic Park is a Class A park)
- The number of meetings dwindled when
Alderman Barry Erskine stepped down
from his position
Maintenance and Upkeep
- In 2007, The City of Calgary brought
River Park under the Adopt-a-Park
program and River Park became the
media host site for the annual Scoopy
Doo Day campaign that year in April
- River Park received an unprecedented
amount of maintenance in 2007/2008
- Projects completed during this time
include: extension of fence along
escarpment, restoration of storm
outfall, removal of dead trees in north
end of park, bigger garbage bins,
restoration of temporary access road
to the outfall back to grass, water
fountain repair/replacement, new gravel
on the trail, new gravel turn-arounds by
the garbage bins, bulletin board, bag
dispensers, new trees, coat of paint
for benches and grass mowed more
frequently
Dog Owner’s Efforts
- In 2007 a network of 156 River Park off-
leash friends on an email distribution list
becomes the Friends of River Park
Society (FRPS) in response to
off-leash issues
- FRPS grew to almost 600 people by
September 2008; it’s led by Linda
Scarlett, Carla Radke, Nadina Stainsby,
Kate Currey, Svend Andersen and
Candice Lee
Some Stinging Advice - Wasp Nest Warning
Keep your eyes peeled for a HUGE
wasp nest hanging in a River Park
crabapple tree near 46 Avenue. To help
identify the location, note the house
undergoing renovations across the
street with a large orange dumpster.
Thanks to Carlos for pointing it out.
While walking in the middle of the
grass on the west side of the trail,
he noticed what appeared to be a bag
caught in a tree. Carlos was stung
as he was about to pluck it from the
end of a branch.
- Communication materials were created:
educational pamphlet, business cards,
t-shirts, calendars, display banners, signs
and a monthly newsletter
- FRPS holds bi-monthly clean-up efforts
in River Park
- FRPS leadership team members
volunteer with The City of Calgary (Linda
Scarlett is a Park Ranger; Carla Radke
and Candice Lee are Dog Ambassadors)
So do a bit of homework before the public
process begins. Research best practices
in other cities and think outside the box.
Here are some ideas that might be
suggested for a possible management plan:
- Paved pathways
- Playground structure (would allow for a
playground zone along 14A Street)
- Rotating use (some cities designate
times for different users in parks)
- Resting areas in the park to allow
re-growth
- Sectioning off areas for different use
- Creative dog waste solutions (feces-only
receptacles or recycling)
Various off-leash advocacy groups have
forewarned us about what lies ahead with
the management plan for River Park citing
examples of restrictions imposed and a
significant reduction of space in areas such
as Bowmont Park and Southland Park.
There is some hope. Alderman Ric McIver
and Alderman Brian Pincott have publicly
shown their support for off-leash space.
Get ready and make sure you’re informed
and prepared to discuss desired outcomes.
Although it’s cold for the season, the
wasps are still active, so watch out.
A Fond Farewell
to Ritka
On September 8, Pat
lovingly led Ritka to
“the bridge” and watched
her cross over.
The little stawberry coloured Viszla was
known to many of us as a happy dog
that loved to snuggle and affectionately
give gentle nibbles.
Some dogs have a good life; Ritka had a
grand life. Despite some health issues,
she managed to enjoy several small
walks each day in River Park during her
senior years.
Pat would like to acknowledge the
kindness of River Park dog owners who
stopped to visit and ask about her dog’s
well-being. Pat extends thanks to
everyone who “made Ritka’s day”.
Ritka would have been 17 years old in
December.
Grapevine Adoption
Periodically I send messages to people
on our distribution list about dogs that
need a home for one reason or another.
Often people ask me if dogs were
adopted, but I rarely hear the outcome.
Patsy recently contacted me with some
feedback. As a result of a notice
circulated to Friends of River Park dog
owners two years ago, she adopted Azul,
a Labrador Retriever/BorderCollie cross.
Azul became
Asha’s fur-
sibling and he
has since
flourished as a
member of
Patsy’s family.