Parks & Trails
Time Spent In Nature Is Never A Waste Of Time
Quality parks and open space areas define neighbourhoods, offer recreational opportunities, and in many cases, enable healthy lifestyles. Parks and open space should provide important neighbourhood gathering areas and strengthen the health and well-being of a connected neighbourhood. The design and interface between residential, commercial and parks/open space land-uses strongly determines the character and livability of the overall neighbourhood.
It has been an important criterion in the development of the Parkwood Neighbourhood concept that parks and open spaces balance the developed areas and provide amenity-rich features necessary to meet the anticipated recreation demands of the neighbourhood residents. Equally important is the fragile balance between natural vegetation, habitat, and development.
The vision for Parkwood is for an abundance of parks and open spaces throughout the site to providing seamless connectivity, thus achieving a balance between the need for recreational spaces and the conservation of the natural environment. The concept for the neighbourhood green spaces and parks places a high value on the integration of natural areas, trails/pathways, and both passive and active parks into the overall neighbourhood plan.
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We have planned for a broad range of public and private park amenities throughout Parkwood to include formal and informal parks, natural open spaces, and an extensive trail system. We have identified approximately 45ha (112ac) of land for Park and Natural areas resulting in over 18% of the neighbourhood being reserved for community parks, private parks, and recreational opportunities.
The availability of strategically placed, accessible trails and viewpoints to the Fish Creek Coulee will be a featured priority for Parkwood. Our intent is to provide connections to the current Fish Creek corridor at the eastern neighbourhood boundary with a new trail system throughout the neighbourhood. The trail system is anticipated to run throughout the Coulee and be accessible from both the rim and basin areas.
Linear Parkways
Vibrant + Connected
Pedestrian trail/sidewalk connections will be provided to link with 111th Avenue and 105th Avenue, enabling a safe route to the adjacent neighbourhood schools and parks.
A “green corridor” linear park consisting of a multi-use pathway and associated landscape is also proposed as a major public amenity and the continuation of the multi-use Bypass Trail. This corridor would be a combination of both the multi-use Bypass Trail continuation as well as streets-cape pathway treatments and mid-block connections, further ensure that residents will be able to travel safely through the neighbourhood.
These connective trails and green corridors will help to reduce auto dependency and add to the natural appeal of the neighbourhood. Trails and pathways will be integrated within the neighbourhood to include adequate pedestrian and cycling accessibility.
Public Parks
Culture + Community
In addition to the Green Corridor Linear Parks, our proposed Parks plan in the Southlands includes one major new public park space, multiple neighbourhood parks, a trailhead, and a continuation of the existing West Bypass trail. The preservation and enhancement of the Fish Creek Coulee is the principal park focus. The proposed parks include:
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1. Trailhead Park: The principle focus of this park will be a natural gathering point for community residents to meet that will include parking to enjoy the trails and natural park space within the Coulee.
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2. Parkwood Coulee Trail: We anticipate this trail to be a continuation of the existing West bypass trail that will link with the adjacent green-way and will provide access along the bottom of the Coulee as well as along a higher "ridge" route on the edges of the Northlands and Southlands Neighbourhoods. This trail/green-way system will create multiple public access points to this primarily naturalized park space
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3. Viewcrest Park: located on the south rim of the Coulee, Viewcrest Park will function to link the neighbourhood with the Coulee and provide a large open space for community wide park programming.
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4. Otto Park: located in the residential subdivision, Otto Park will form the visual, physical and social focus of the neighbourhood with a large programmed lawn, primarily for passive recreation.
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5. ScheiWuthGee Park: located along the north rim of the Coulee, ScheiWuthGee park will serve as a neighbourhood park which will link to the trails within the Coulee.
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Private Green Space
Look Deep Into Nature, And Then You Will Understand Everything Better
In addition to our proposed 5.5ha of Public Park dedication, we are planning to establish two private green spaces that will include the remaining natural areas associated with the Fish Creek Coulee beyond the boundaries of the Public Parks and a new urban square that will become a vibrant social and cultural focal point of the neighbourhood Village Centre.
4. Village Square: On the south side of the Coulee is envisioned to be a major community gathering spot/urban plaza that will be designed to accommodate large community functions. We are anticipating features to include a skating rink and a large community lawn that is able to hold City-wide events.
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5. Fish Creek Coulee Nature Area: Our plan is to ensure the preservation of the entire Fish Creek Coulee area for the enjoyment of our neighbourhood residents. We envision the protection of significant natural areas while also providing access to this important natural resource through the continuation of nature trails, provision of viewing platforms, boardwalks and interpretive panels.
It is our commitment that all parks, open space areas, and trails will be designed and programmed in consultation with City staff. The Preliminary Parks and Trails Plan developed for Parkwood has distributed Parks and open spaces throughout the neighbourhood so that the vast majority of the residents are within a 5 minute walk (400m) to the nearest park space. The furthest walk is approximately 10 minutes (800m).
