If you’re noticing sidewalks, parks and other public spaces in Calgary this summer that look a little less groomed than in previous years, you’re not imagining things.
Parts of the city are less maintained for various reasons. A very rainy June delayed landscaping, the city is in the midst of reorganizing roles in the parks department, budget cuts made as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a shifted focus on naturalizing some areas.
Seventh Ward Councilman Terry Wong said he has received a number of complaints and concerns about the condition of some popular parks and trails.
“We’ve had calls specifically about West Hillhurst Community Centre, they’ve got a big diamond and a park area and the grass hasn’t been cut in a long time, so we’ve been called recently to say, you know, the kids are really chopping the grass and things like that. So that’s something we’re concerned about and we are, we’ve talked about it with the parks,” he said. “It’s a combination of the reorganization and contract issues.”
Wong said the city has been forced to make some budget cuts that have affected the parks department due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that restoring funding is something that will be revisited in the next budget cycle.
“There are two parts to the equation, you know, certainly having an attractive city and a maintained city is one part of the equation. The other, the other part of the equation is making sure we’re doing it in a very environmentally responsible and sustainable way, like well,” he says.
Portions of Calgary’s parks and open spaces are being naturalized by reintroducing native plant species with the city’s goal of restoring 20 percent of Calgary’s open spaces by 2025.
Naturalization projects are underway along 16th Avenue NE, Bridgeland, Memorial Drive and Coach Hill. According to the city, this has many benefits, including lower maintenance costs, creating habitat for urban wildlife and a greater ability to respond to extreme weather and climate change.
Wong says the city has been forced to make some budget cuts that have affected the parks department due to the COVID-19 pandemic and says restoring that funding is something that will be revisited in the next budget cycle.
ACHIEVING BALANCE
Dylan DeLorenzo recently moved to Calgary from Edmonton and says he appreciates that the city is trying to strike a balance, but also needs to keep the city attractive to attract new people like himself.
“It’s nice to see nice things, but it’s also nice to put the environment first,” he said. “Especially coming from Edmonton and other areas, Calgary is definitely a little nicer on that side of things, so I think you want to keep that ranking high and your motivation high to make the city look good.”
Longtime Calgarian Vita Kampman said she’s noticed overgrown grass and weeds all over the city, but says it hasn’t bothered her much.
“I think there are bigger fish to fry honesty,” she said. “I mean, maybe in the main public part our city needs to look good, but honestly, at least for me, it hasn’t been a big concern that I’ve noticed.”
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