Is Calgary going to the dogs?
For a long time now, I have been telling developers (both urban and suburban) they should create more amenities for dog owners. Finally, it looks like they are listening!
In fact, it might be said Calgary is “going to the dogs,” but in a good way. I have said it before and I am saying it again, Calgary is "Dog Park capital of North America!" If you love dogs, you will love this blog!
FYI! Did you know that 70% of US families own a pet, in Calgary 38% own a dog and 25% a cat.
Calgary has over 100 off-leash areas scattered across the city.
However, there there is a void of dog parks in the City Centre, but that could be changing soon.
Urban Dog Parks
It seems everywhere I go and everybody I talk to these days is telling me about how developers are adding dog-friendly elements to their communities.
Recently, University District opened their North Park which features a small fenced off dog park area. What I love most about this is that the dog park has been completed before anyone even moves into University District. And it is proving to be popular with those living in nearby Montgomery, Varsity and University Heights. Hmmm…is this a clever sales strategy?
And, Bruce McKenzie, Vice President, Business Development, NORR Architects Engineers Planners tells me they have designed for a developer a large luxury condo project in Mission that will include its own dog park. And the multi-use rooftop at Minto Communities’ Annex project in Kensington, designed by Nyhoff Architecture will include dog run. How cool is that?
East Village has embraced dogs also, opening up a temporary fenced-in dog park on a little triangular piece of land across from Ron Moppett’s mural made up of 950,000 colourful tiles. I am thinking they need to find a site for a permanent dog park given the Village will eventually be home to 10,000+ people. With Calgary currently having about one dog for every 10 people, that could be a lot of dogs living in East Village when fully built out.
The Beltline learned about the importance of dog parks a few years ago so they renovated Connaught Park 2015 to include a fenced-off dog park. It has since become one of the community’s most popular hangout places. Too bad they didn’t make the new East Victoria Park a dog park - I rarely see anyone in the park along Macleod Trail. I bet if they converted it to a dog park, it would have people (and dogs) there all the time.
The Annex's model shows a roof-top dog run, I am thinking this is a first in Calgary.
Connaught Park has a fenced in dog park is a popular place for those living in the Beltline to hang out with friends - human and canine.
The new temporary dog park in East Village occupies a small piece of unused grass. Dog parks can utilize spaces that are difficult to develop.
Why I love dog parks?
Full disclosure – I don’t own a dog and never have in my adult life. But I do dog sat regularly for friends in Altadore. That means trips to River Park twice, sometimes three times a day. What impresses me most about River Park is how devoted many dog owners are to walking their dog and how social the experience is for both the owners and the dogs.
I have seen dozens of people walking their dogs in blizzard conditions. One night at -30 degrees, there was a dog walking group out walking. That’s dedication!
What I love about dog parks is that they are used seven days a week, morning, noon and night, 12 months of the year. I am not sure any of Calgary’s other 5,200 parks can claim that - most only get used seasonally.
I also enjoy the fact that not only do the dogs come in all shapes and sizes but dog parks are full of people from all walks of life. I often see young families and small groups of retirees out walking their dogs and chatting with each other, as well as individuals. Almost always they will smile and say “Hi” and in some cases we strike up a conversation.
When urbanists talk about creating inclusive gathering places – nothing beats a dog park.
River Park in the summer is a busy place from sunrise to sunset.
It is even busy in the winter....
Are they crazy?
While writing this piece, I was shocked by a twitter post by Josh White, General Manager, Development at Dream Unlimited (a real estate developer) noting Calgary Parks objected to the inclusion of a one-acre, off-leash dog park as part of a 14-acre community park in their new southwest community of Providence. Why? Because it “caters to one user instead of a variety of users.”
The dog park will cater to people of all ages and backgrounds and it will be used year-round. It will be the most important community building amenities in the new community.
I hope Parks will get their head out of the sand and let Josh build his dog park. In my opinion, we should be insisting all new communities and major condos include a dog park or dog run.
West Hillhurst dog park offers great views of the City's skyline, as well as a chance to chat with friends and neighbours.
Last Word
Yes, I do make a point of researching and visiting dog parks when I am visiting others cities. I have seen some amazing ones in Las Vegas, Palm Springs and some pretty ugly ones in places like Berlin. But I have never seen anything to match Calgary’s River Park or upper Edworthy Park for their size, varied terrain and spectacular views.
I am thinking Calgary has the potential to become the “dog park capital of the world.”
If you like this blog, you will like these links:
Dog Parks Foster A Sense Of Community