BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #1

Some background about Park #1 & Recommended Name

This steep grassy slope has long existed adjacent to Edmonton Trail… which is an historic and significant travel corridor northward.  With completion of the nearby condominium projects this land was added to the Calgary Parks system as a ‘natural area park’.  The hill was sculpted, trails and benches were installed and vegetation planted in 2016.  On its northern boundary was an early Calgary community called Regal Terrace that, in the 1950’s became part of the new community of Renfrew.  In recognition of the area’s previous name and with its amazing location and vistas we are recommending that the park be named “Regal View Park”

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #2

Some background about Park #2 & Recommended Name

This steep hillside area adjacent to 4A St and 5 Ave has been a park for many years.  In the past playground equipment was present but this was removed as the number of nearby children diminished. The hillside, trees and mowed grassy area make this a sheltered, quiet and pleasant place to spend time but the steep hillside and back lane access has made it difficult for people to find and use the park.

We are recommending that the park be named “Hidden Park”

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #3

Some background about Park #3 & Recommended Name

The section of land that became the community of Bridgeland was deeded to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) by the Federal government in the late 1800’s.  As the railway expanded west, the CPR divided the land and sold small lots for houses, in order to fund the building of a transcontinental railway that connected our country from sea to sea. The CPR hired the Olmsted Landscape firm to design the street layout on Bridgeland’s hilly escarpment as well other CPR owned lands in Scarboro/ Sunalta and Mount Royal. The designers favoured gradually rising streets and park like settings to take advantage of the escarpment topography instead of the usual grid streetscape. This small green space, adjacent to 5 Ave and 6A / 7 St and located between two parts of Bridge Crescent is on a significant slope.  We recommend naming this green space “Olmsted Corner” in recognition of the unique contribution of the Olmsted firm to the city and to our community’s streetscapes.

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #4

Some background about Park #4 & Recommended Name

This endearing space is known informally as 9A Street Park by at least 4 generations of Bridgelanders. This park has mature trees to enjoy nature, a children’s playground, a spider web climbing structure, picnic tables, and a small sports field which is a skating rink in winter. Thank you to the community spirited volunteers who have activated this park for the enjoyment of families from all over Calgary.

Normie Kwong was born and raised in Riverside. He was the first football player of Asian heritage to play in the Canadian Football League with Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos. Normie was an all star, winning 4 Grey Cups. After retiring, Normie was in the ownership group which brought the Flames to Calgary. Normie’s contributions to Calgary and Alberta through his sportsmanship were recognized by his appointment in 2005 as Lieutenant Governor (the Queen’s Representative) of Alberta. He died in 2016 and a memorial fund was set up in his name to help immigrant youth with a focus on sports. Normie is remembered as a family man who related to people from all walks of life. These qualities were nurtured by his upbringing in Bridgeland Riverside.

We are recommending this park be named Normie Kwong Park to recognize and connect the lifetime achievement of Normie with the hard work by current and past Bridgeland volunteers to make this park a special community space.

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #5

Some background about Park #5 & Recommended Name

Since 1921 this green space north of 2 Ave at 11A Street has been part of the Bridgeland School playground. In 1998 the CBE closed the school and Delta West Academy moved in. The playing field and adjacent hillside is a registered  Calgary park and is unofficially called Tyndale Park. The origin of this name cannot be found so compliance with city naming policy cannot be established. 

The Project Team’s Recommended Name for Park #5 is Schule Park. This name recognizes the role immigrants of German descent played in the history of Bridgeland Riverside. “Schule” (pronounced shula) means school in German.

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #6

Some background about Park #6 & Recommended Name

Calgary General Hospital, played a central role in our community for 88 years and after its implosion in 1998 a new development “The Bridges” was established.  Several park areas were created and this area beside 1^st Avenue, ringed by new condominiums had a small park installed.  Known as ‘General Plaza’ in recognition of the hospital, the park has new enhancements that attract many people to stop and enjoy the park.  A new initiative to commemorate the hospital is being planned for area of the CGH Memorial Wall in Murdoch Park on Centre Avenue. It is expected that attention about the hospital will be focused on this area, leaving the 1^st Avenue park open to a new name.

Italians have had a notable presence in Bridgeland over the years and to recognize them we are suggesting that General Plaza be renamed  “The Piazza” which translates to village square.

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #7

Some background about Park #7 & Recommended Name

This new park is located behind 2 recently built apartments at 816 McDougall Road. This sheltered and nicely treed green space is bordered by the Vacant Lots Heritage Garden, the 7A St stairway, and the dog off leash/natural area slope. The Vacant Lot Garden, established in 1914, is a Bridgeland treasure. In the early 1900s food prices were climbing in a rapidly growing Calgary. Mrs. Annie Gale, represented the Consumers League in the Vacant Lots Garden Club and worked tirelessly to promote the idea that vegetables were just as likely to succeed in Alberta gardens as in B.C. gardens. Her work on this and other social justice projects helped her become Calgary’s first female alderman in 1918.

We are recommending to name Park #7 Annie Gale Park to honour her advocacy to improve the health and wellbeing of Calgary’s residents through initiatives such as the vacant lot gardens, the public market and improved housing for all Calgarians.

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

BRCA arks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #8

Some background about Park #8

Tucked in the SE corner of our community, this small new park area was created with the recent building of Forward Housings’ Bishops Manor residence (200 Nina Gardens). Originally this area would have been open grassland, grazed by buffalo and later by cattle of settlers. During the 1988 Olympics small cottages were built here for the media. They were then converted to Seniors Independent Living and managed by Bishop O’Byrne Seniors Housing (now Forward Housing) and decommissioned in the early 2000’s. A residence for the blind was nearby and many generations of seniors have lived in the vicinity.

The suggested name for Park 8 is “Helen’s Garden” in recognition of the significant and long standing involvement of local resident, Helen Jusic.  From her arrival to Calgary in the 1950’s, to work at the Calgary General Hospital, to years of volunteering with agencies and residences in this southeast quadrant Helen has shown caring to others. Covid-19 presented new challenges for us all and Helen responded by being present at the 1^st Ave/12 St  corner to share a friendly greeting with passersby. Helen, who is also a successful gardener has made a huge difference to many people in our community now and over the years and we are recommending that park 8 be named for her.

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!

Coming soon

BRCA Parks Naming Project…… Welcome to Park #10

Some background about Park #10 & Recommended Name

Park #10 is found at the southeast corner of our community boundaries – next to the confluence of the Bow River and Nose Creek. It’s close to the muskox paddock for the zoo.  The bike path goes right beside it. This park shows great potential for indigenous naming because of the natural setting next to the river. Near here was the original trail from Calgary to Blackfoot Crossing. Settler history is also evident in the train bridge built in the early 1900’s. A park bench provides a peaceful place to pause and enjoy the scenery. Take a walk or cycle with a friend along the Bow River pathway to discover this lovely park.

We continue to explore the naming of this park, including indigenous naming. We welcome your thoughts about this park and what it means to you now and into the future.

The survey process has closed. Thank you for your input.

If you have any further questions, please contact brca.beautification@gmail.com 

Thank you for being part of this History Naming project!