13 deserving Calgarians receive recognition at the 2016 Calgary Awards

On June 28, The City of Calgary presented 13 awards to recipients at the 2016 Calgary Awards. Mayor Nenshi and members of City Council were in attendance to recognize the many deserving recipients at the ceremony.

The Calgary Awards showcase The City’s priorities of community, the environment, accessibility, and arts and culture.

Highlights from this year’s awards include the Community Advocate Award presented to Cheri Macaulay, and The Citizen of Year award to Dr. Lucy Miller for her outstanding contributions to the community. The Signature Award, recognizing an individual who has brought significant recognition to the city, was awarded to Robert Brawn.

Citizen of the Year Award : Mayor Nenshi, Dr. Lucy Miller

Each year, individuals, corporations, community groups and organizations are nominated in five major award categories. It is one of the largest citizen recognition programs in the city.

“It was such an honour to present this year’s Calgary Awards to some of the very best people and organizations in this great city. The leadership and commitment to community shown by the recipients is an inspiration for me and many, many people,” said Mayor Nenshi following the ceremony. “They make Calgary better every day, and I'm proud to call them fellow citizens.”

Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement Award:
Mayor Nenshi, Dr. Babins- Wagner and Grant MacEwan’s
granddaughters Lynwyn Foran-Aebli and Fiona Foran

The City thanks the following sponsors for their continued support of The Calgary Awards: Oil City Press, The University of Calgary, Husky Energy and Shaw TV.

All Calgarians are encouraged to look to their neighbours, colleagues, community leaders and local organizations and businesses for those who could qualify as recipients of the Calgary Awards.

Nominations for the 2017 Calgary Awards will launch in January 2018. Visit calgary.ca/calgaryawards for more information.

Students unveil final concepts for 4 Avenue Flyover Public Space Project

Over the past few months, Grade 6 students from the Langevin School and the University of Calgary’s Master of Architecture program, with input from the public, have been working together to reimagine how the space beneath the 4 Avenue flyover could become a valued community space and walking corridor.

On April 6, The City of Calgary will be hosting an Open House, and we invite you to participate in the process by helping us choose the design ideas you think will best enhance the community of Bridgeland for residents and businesses alike.

“It’s really cool to see everyone’s ideas in the group on paper,” said a Grade 6 student Anas K when asked how they felt about the process so far. “I can’t wait to see what this is going to look like in person. I can’t believe that our ideas will be turned into real life!”

Open house details:
Thursday, April 6 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Bridgeland Riverside Community Centre, 917 Centre Ave N.E.

Why this project?

Calgary’s first Pedestrian Strategy was approved in 2016 and includes 49 actions to make walking safer and more attractive.

This project was proposed by the Bridgeland Riverside Community Association in response to the Pedestrian Strategy and is being supported by The City of Calgary as an opportunity to:

• Create an attractive entrance to the community of Bridgeland 
• Offer an improved walking and cycling connection between Bridgeland, the downtown and river pathway network
• Enhance an under-used community public space
• Benefit from kids’ imaginations and new design practices being taught at the University level 
• Reveal a community-supported set of ideas that change this public space into a friendly and active part of the community 

Project timeline


Feedback from online and in-person engagement in January, along with input from the Community Association task force, was shared with the students from Langevin School and the U of C. Following a site visit in January, the students set out to put their ideas to paper.

Once their ideas were captured, the U of C Graduate Students then turned them into full-sized renderings which were presented to a panel of industry leaders and mentors in March. These industry experts helped refine the designs so they are ready for public input on April 6.

Following in-person and online engagement in April, the City will begin to build the final chosen concept in June.

To learn more about the project or to participate in our online survey (between April 6 and 16) to help pick the final design visit, Calgary.ca/flyover.

City hosts information sessions for projects in Inglewood and Ramsay

The City is investing in Inglewood and Ramsay to make life better every day. With more than 20 City projects under construction or under consideration, we know there’s a lot going on. We want to make sure you have the information you need and the opportunity to ask questions, so we’re bringing many of these projects together for two public information sessions. Drop in at either of our upcoming information sessions to learn more and provide your input. These events are identical but offered at different times.

Thursday, March 9
4 – 8 p.m.
Alexandra Centre
922 9 Ave SE

Saturday, March 11
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Festival Hall
1215 10 Ave SE

Drop in at any time to view the information boards and talk to the project teams. There will also be a brief presentation by the project manager every hour (at 5, 6, 7 p.m. on Thursday, and at 10, 11 a.m., 12 p.m. on Saturday).

We hope you can join us on one of these dates, but if you’re unable to attend, you’ll have the opportunity to provide online input beginning Thursday, March 9.

At the information session, you will learn more about:

• How The City is coordinating these projects to help create the best possible neighbourhood with the lowest impact to your everyday during construction 
• The 9 Avenue S.E. Main Streets Streetscapes project
• The 12 Street S.E. Bridge Replacement project
• The 9 Avenue S.E. Bridge Replacement project 
• The 25 Avenue S.E. LRT Grade Separation Study 
• The 17 Avenue S.E. BRT project 
• The Inglewood Storm Trunk project
• The Bioengineering project

You will also be able to provide your input on:

• The structure and design of the new 9 Avenue S.E. Bridge 
• Landscaping and commemoration of the 12 Street S.E. Bridge
• Priorities, ideas and concerns for the 25 Ave S.E. LRT Grade Separation Study
• How you like to receive information from The City
• How you like to provide input to The City
• Your transportation priorities and how you get into, out of and around your community

The City will be back later this spring to update you on project progress, and to collect more feedback, as each of the projects moves through their respective visioning, study, design or construction processes.

Learn more about what we’re working on in Ramsay and Inglewood at www.calgary.ca/InglewoodRamsay, and stay up-to-date on the latest news by subscribing to our mailing list.

Calgary Recreation has what you need to get up, out and active this spring and summer

As we look forward to a spring thaw, Calgary’s Spring/Summer Recreation Program Guide has hit stands at Recreation facilities around the city. In the printed guide, and online, you’ll find thousands of day camps, classes and programs designed to help you and your family shake off the winter blues and become more active and creative.

There are programs for every age, skill level and interest. Some of our popular programs include:

For children & youth:

• Day Camps – everything from sports to dance, 3D Animation to “Zombies & Ninjas.” 
• Skateboarding lessons – for beginner to intermediate skateboarders.
• Dance – including Hip-hop, Ballet, Jazz and Irish. 
• Martial Arts – try Aikido, Karate, Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, or Tai Chi. No previous experience required.
• Junior Sailing Club – learn the fundamentals of sailing surrounded by the beauty of the Glenmore Reservoir. 

For Adults:

• Whip that body into shape with Bootcamp – Beginner. There’s even a new Bridal Party Bootcamp just for women training for the big day.
• Birdwatching – learn to tell a red-winged blackbird from a red-tailed hawk at a number of Calgary parks.
• Oil Painting for the Completely Intimidated – develop the skills to capture Calgary’s beauty on canvas.

For “Together Time:”

• Stroller Fitness – Bring your baby and stroller for a unique and fun cardio workout.
• Golf – Family Beginner Series: great for new golfing families or families who want to improve their golf skills. Professionals will guide you from your first swing to your first round on the course. 

All programs are priced to be affordable, and our Fair Entry program also provides fee assistance to qualified individuals.

Registration is open now – make sure to pick up your copy of the program guide today, or customize your registration online.

Register soon so you can be on your way to fun and active times!

Seeking input on the Southwest BRT Project

The City of Calgary is moving into the last phase of design for the Southwest BRT project, and we’re seeking stakeholder and public input. An online tool will collect input from Calgarians beginning February 22, and a facilitated session in March will gather feedback from representatives of area community associations, institutions and citizen groups.

The input collected online will be used at the March session to inform the workshop of the themes and comments provided by their fellow Calgarians. The in person sessions will have up to three representatives from stakeholder groups to ensure a balanced conversation about the topics The City is seeking input on. Calgarians and stakeholders will be asked to provide their input on:

• Pedestrian overpass at 90 Avenue S.W. 
• Construction staging and phasing 
• Station connections (including pedestrian overpass at 75 Avenue S.W.) 
• Parking 
• Landscaping 
• Noise attenuation 

Once we’ve heard from the Calgarians living and working near the future route, as well the Calgarians who may someday make use of the city’s BRT network, we will compile and analyze all feedback, which will help inform the final design for the Southwest BRT project. Calgarians input along with technical and engineering considerations will inform the final design for the SWBRT. The City will post a “What We Heard” report which will be made available online in April.

The City is committed to providing opportunities for Calgarians to provide input into the final design for the Southwest BRT, so sign up for the mailing list to get up to date information on the online engagement that begins on February 22.

The Southwest BRT is one of four BRT projects that fill important gaps in Calgary’s primary transit network and provide reliable, efficient transit to communities. Along with the Southwest BRT, The City is implementing the North and South Crosstown BRT and the 17 Avenue S.E. BRT to provide more transit options for Calgarians.

New Open Data Portal Now Live!

On the heels of being named one of the top “Open Cities” in Canada by the Public Sector Digest in their annual Open Cities Index report, The City of Calgary has launched an upgraded Open Data Portal with enhanced data analysis features, new data visualization tools, and API capabilities for easier app development for developers.

This new Portal allows us to share more, better data with citizens, while also allowing citizens to interact with our data in new, more intensive ways.

“Where the old Open Data Catalogue gave citizens access to download our data, the new Portal allows citizens to really take
a deep dive into our data and interact with it in a more intense way,” says Leader of Intellectual Property & Access Marketing in Corporate Analytics & Innovation Dale McNamee. “We’re excited to keep growing the number and types of datasets that we make available on the Portal and, of course, to see what new developments will come from them.”

With the launch of the new Open Data Portal, The City will be retiring the old Catalogue at the end of the year. To make the transition to the new Portal smoother for users, we’ve migrated the current catalogue to archivedata.calgary.ca, which will remain live until December 31, 2016.

Interesting in seeing the different kinds of datasets that The City makes available to the public for free (and without restrictions)? Visit the new Open Data Portal today!

Fast facts about open data

• “Open data” refers to data that is made available for free, without restrictions (anyone can use it) and can be used for any purpose, including commercial use
• The City of Calgary joined the ‘open data movement’ in 2010 to provide centralized and easy access to City data
• The City’s old Open Data Catalogue received an average of 14,000 downloads and 7,000 unique visitors every month. With the new Portal, these numbers are anticipated to increase significantly.
• 22 mobile apps have been created and brought to market using The City’s open data, and combined have over 750,000 downloads

Cycle Track Pilot Project set to reach one million bike trips (and other highlights)

Since the cycle track network opened last June, The City has been counting bicycle trips, using automated counters embedded in the pavement at 10 different locations along the network. Based on the data collected at the three middle count locations, one along each route of the network, we are set to reach one million trips this week.

We are holding an on-street event to commemorate this milestone and to continue to educate and connect with Calgarians as they walk, drive, take transit or bike along the network. Stop by, grab a cookie and chat with our team about some of the new bike data being released and general cycle track information.

When: Wednesday, August 17 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 5 Street and 9 Avenue S.W. by the CPR underpass

June 2016 was the busiest month on record with 116,621 trips, and although July 2016 was the rainiest in 90 years, it was still busier than July 2015 with over 100,000 trips last month.

Cycling census data shows a doubling of bike commuters
The one million cycle track trips milestone comes on the heels of the release of other cycling-related data. The City of Calgary Civic Census collected information from one working adult in the household about their mode of transportation to work in 2011, 2014 and 2016. Since 2011, 58 km of new bikeways (including the cycle track network pilot) have been constructed or improved around the city. Many communities adjacent to new or improved bikeways saw an increase in cycling as a way to commute. The percentage of Calgarians that reported travelling to work by bicycle doubled from 0.87% in 2011 to 1.75% in 2016.

According to the census data, in 2011 there were six communities which reported more than 4% of respondents commuting by bike. In 2016 there are 43. Communities like Rosedale and Wildwood have seen some of the fastest growth with more than 9% ridership, thanks in part to improvements such as the 10 Street N.W. and Spruce Drive S.W. bike lanes that were installed in 2011.

Cordon count data shows 40% increase in bike trips since cycle tracks installed
Every year in May, the Transportation Department conducts the Central Business District (CBD) cordon count. The cordon count is performed at 31 locations around the CBD over a three week period by counting every single person entering or exiting downtown and how they were travelling; whether on foot, by bicycle, on a C-Train or bus, as a passenger in a car, or as the driver of car.

The 2016 data showed that during the morning peak hour traffic, travelling into downtown, cycling increased from 1.9% in 2010 to 3% in 2016. During a 16-hour period, the number of cycling trips into and out of downtown almost doubled from 9,400 in 2010 to 17,200 trips in 2016. In 1996, 61% of morning peak period trips into downtown were by automobile; in 2016, 59% of morning peak period trips into downtown are now made by sustainable or active modes.

In June we celebrate the special seniors in our lives

Seniors are an important part of our community and every year, from June 6 to 12 during Seniors’ Week, we celebrate their contributions to making Calgary a great place to live.

Province of Alberta recognizes Calgary as an age-friendly city

This year, Seniors’ Week kicked off in Calgary’s Municipal Building with the placement of a plaque recognizing Calgary as an age-friendly city.

Find an event near you

With a variety of events across Calgary, this week is a chance to spend some time celebrating the older adults in our lives, thanking them for the difference they make. There are dozens of events being held across the city all week long.

Some events are specifically for seniors, while others are for the whole family to enjoy. As well, there will be several conversation cafes for you to join and talk about how to address the issue of elder abuse in the lead up to the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event on June 15.

Seniors take part in staying active during Seniors' Week

This year, the Age-Friendly Calgary Steering Committee has released their first annual Report to the Community on the progress of the Seniors Age-Friendly Strategy and implementation Plan 2015-2018.

You can find the most up-to-date list of events (including conversation cafes) online. Stay informed by following the Seniors’ Week Facebook event page. Check out all the events and find your own special way to celebrate the older adults in your life.

However you chose to celebrate, please share your stories and photos with us on our Seniors' Week Facebook event page or on Twitter, using the hashtag #yycseniors.

Four firefighters who died in World War One honoured on 100th anniversary

June 2 marks the 100th year anniversary of the death of John Gallacher, the last of four firefighters who were killed in action in World War One. The Calgary Fire Department will honour those four members at a ceremony at the Cenotaph in Central Memorial Park, 1221 – 2 St S.W. at noon on June 2. Members of the public are invited to attend.

The Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard and a piper from the Calgary Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band will open and close the ceremony. The event will conclude with the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph.

Fifty-five Calgary firefighters served in World War One. When they enlisted, they did so knowing that they would be able to return to their jobs thanks to a new fire department policy. Forty-Three firefighters resumed their duties in Calgary after the war.

Four heroes who did not return

Private Walter Bartlett was killed on the front lines while serving with the Canadian Army Service Corps in May 1915. He was 27. Bartlett is buried in the Boulogne East Cemetery in France.

Private Arthur Bowden was seriously wounded in combat and eventually died in May 1916 at a base hospital in France. He served with the Canadian Pioneers. The 30-year-old was a member of Calgary Fire for two and a half years before enlisting. He is buried in the Ypres Resevoir Cemetery in Belgium.

Lance Corporal Eric Burton was 22 when he died in May 1915. He was among the first recruits to leave with The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry early on in the war. He is buried in the Lijssenthoek Miltary Cemetery in Belgium.

Corporal John Gallacher was killed June 2, 1916 while fighting with The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Gallacher joined Calgary Fire in the fall 1912. He was 24. Along with 55,000 other allied soldiers killed in the battle for the Ypres Salient, whose bodies were never recovered, he is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

For more on Canada’s role in World War One, visit the Canadian War Museum website.

2016 JUNO Awards playing it loud in Calgary

In case you haven't heard... the 2016 JUNO Awards are coming to Calgary!

In this Year of Music, The City of Calgary is pleased to be a member of the 2016 JUNO Awards host committee, OutLoudYYC, to showcase our vibrant local music scene and welcome Canada’s top music industry professionals and fans from all over the world.

"Bringing the JUNO Awards to Calgary has great benefit to our city," says Sarah Iley, manager of Arts & Culture with The City of Calgary, "Not only by showcasing
our home-grown talent, but also in terms of economic stimulation for all kinds of local businesses. We encourage Calgarians to demonstrate what a lively music city Calgary is, and take part in the numerous events that are happening leading up to the JUNO Awards.”

Calgarians already have and will continue to enjoy a multitude of JUNO events including local artists at small venues during JUNO Fest, microgrant performances, pop-up concerts, autograph signings, JUNO Cup, JUNOS on the CTrain, Songwriter’s Circle, Canadian art exhibit, the Indigenous Showcase and many more.

First to check out is JUNO Hub, a storefront space celebrating Canada’s musical history that is now open in The Core from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The JUNO Hub features JUNO-related artifacts – photo exhibits, JUNO Cup Jerseys, shoes worn by previous JUNO winners and other musical memorabilia including the JUNO Award itself - and is staffed by music loving volunteers prepared to answer questions about all JUNO week events and community activations.

Find detailed event listings and the most up to date info at outloudyyc.com and invite your friends and family to join The City’s Facebook event.

City celebrates Open Data Day with Regional Hackathon

Over 150 people packed into City Hall this weekend to celebrate International Open Data Day with a Hackathon hosted by The City of Calgary and the Calgary Regional Partnership. Over the course of the weekend, thirty five teams put their heads together to create apps and websites using open data from municipalities across the Calgary region.

"This event gives citizens the opportunity to be innovative, challenge the norms, and use the resources that we already have available in new and thoughtful ways," says Walter Simbirski, Open Data Strategist with The City of Calgary.

“We believe that in opening up government data, we can achieve increased efficiency, increased innovation, and increased transparency – with the goal of making the community better and serving citizens better every single day.”

Teams were judged on a number of criteria including citizen value, a score that assessed the product’s ability to show economic, social, or environmental benefits to the community. After three days of intense brainstorming, programming and pitching, three teams came out on top as this year’s Hackathon winners.

CycloConnect: Ellyn DuMont, Linh Duong, and Maha Jamil

1. CycloConnect
A crowd sourced app for bicyclists to plan their routes and monitor the availability of bike storage around the Calgary region.
Team members: Ellyn DuMont, Linh Duong, and Maha Jamil

2. Plugin Calgary
A citizen engagement tool for municipalities to provide challenges based on their environmental, social, and economic programs and participants would collect points for completing challenges.
Team members: Jill Langer, Ireti Fakinlede, and Stella Lee

3. Transit Krowd
A near-time data collection app that allows bus riders to see how full their upcoming bus is, and share information about the condition of buses, trains, and transportation shelters around the region.
Team members: Teddy Seyed, Abhishek Sharma, Alaa Azazi

The Calgary Region Hackathon was an opportunity to promote the use of open data, and encourage citizens to create innovative solutions to deliver City services in a more efficient and effective manner. Open data refers to data that is available to the public at no cost, and can be used for any purpose including commercial use.

For more information on The City of Calgary’s Open Data Catalogue, visit data.calgary.ca.

The CRTC surveys Canadians about broadband Internet Services as part of ongoing study

Reliable, affordable and modern broadband Internet access is essential for accessing services online, such as health care, banking, education and government programming.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is inviting Canadians across the nation to share their views on telecommunications services, especially broadband internet by filling out a short questionnaire online.

Those who wish to complete the survey over the phone can call 1-877-249-2782, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST)

“It’s important for Calgarians to share their personal experience with broadband internet services with the CRTC,” said Heather Reed-Fenske, The City of Calgary’s Chief Information Technology Officer. “The information collected will help influence how you connect to internet services in the workplace, at home and while you’re on the go, for many years to come.”

The survey is open until 8 p.m. (EST) on February 29, 2016 and will provide the CRTC with insight to better understand which telecommunications services Canadians consider necessary to participate in the digital economy.

The results will also determine the areas in Canada that don’t have adequate access to telecommunication services.


What is the CTRC?



Quick facts about the CRTC’s Internet Broadband review:

• The CRTC initiated a review of basic telecommunications services in April 2015. Since then, more that 25,000 comments have been received.
• The CRTC is reviewing the telecommunications services available in Canada in order to be in step with Canadians’ current and future needs.
• Currently, basic telecommunications services include:
• capability to connect to the Internet via low-speed data transmission at local rates;
• individual line local touch-tone service;
• access to the long distance network, operator/directory assistance services, enhanced calling features and privacy protection features, emergency services, voice message relay service; and
• a printed copy of the current local telephone directory upon request.
• The CRTC is holding a public hearing on these issues starting April 11, 2016, in Gatineau, Québec.

Help us plan for smart growth along 17 Avenue S.E.

We are conducting a transportation study on 17 Avenue S.E., between Stoney Trail and 116 Street S.E., to identify what the road will look like in the next 10-30 years.

Drop-in to the East Hills Walmart (255 East Hills Blvd. S.E.) on January 28, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. to learn about the study and tell us what you think about the preliminary options. You can also view the display boards and provide input at calgary.ca/17AveStudy from January 28 – February 12, 2016.

Background:
17 Avenue S.E. provides an important regional connection between Calgary and Chestermere. It is also identified as a primary transit and cycling route.

Illustration of what 17 Avenue S.E. could look like

Today this part of 17 Avenue S.E. is largely undeveloped. However, the Belvedere Area Structure Plan estimates this area will house 61,000 people and 9,700 jobs in the future. As the land in this area develops, the guidelines in the Area Structure Plan will start to take effect.

17 Avenue S.E. will be a liveable street focusing on modes of travel that enable social interaction like walking, cycling, and taking transit. It will be a destination as well as a route of travel such as 4 St. S.W.

We have been working with stakeholders since June to develop guiding principles as well as prioritize the type and location of bicycle facilities, on-street parking, sidewalks, and green space. We also determined that the corridor will have two vehicle lanes and a median (middle) transitway. As a result of their input, we have developed preliminary options for the corridor to take to the public for feedback.

For more information, go to calgary.ca/17AveStudy.

Help shape the South Shaganappi Study on November 19

Shaganappi Trail has always been identified as a vital link in Calgary’s transportation network. We are starting a transportation corridor study to explore the future design for the south end of Shaganappi Trail.

The study area includes the Shaganappi Trail and 16 Avenue interchange, the Shaganappi Trail and Bowness Road intersection and the Bowness Road and the 16 Avenue interchange.

Join us on November 19, 2015 at an open house to learn more about the study. Your input will help us understand the issues and challenges of the area. Thus, it will help shape the development of preliminary concepts and the evaluation framework for Phase 2: Concept Development and Analysis in 2016.

Open House Details
Thursday, November 19, 2015
5 - 8 p.m.
Parkdale Community Association
3512 5 Avenue N.W.

Can’t make it to the open house? Visit calgary.ca/southshaganappi to provide your input online starting November 19.

About the study:

This system was built in the late 1960s and is remnants of a freeway plan that was never fully completed. It was originally classified as an expressway and designed as a connector route across the river to Sarcee – Bow Trail. What was planned then is no longer appropriate today.

In 2009, Council approved the Calgary Transportation Plan (CTP). It reclassified Shaganappi Trail to an arterial street. In addition, the CTP confirmed that the Bow River crossing recommendation would be removed. This means that Shaganappi Trail will no longer function as a north to south connector across the river.

In addition, in order to maintain the system and keep it operational, it will need rehabilitation within the next 20 years.These changes require us to revisit how Shaganappi Trail was designed in the south end.

Over the next two years, we will be working with citizens to determine the best way of addressing these challenges and ensure the design of the study area meets the future needs of the community and the future transportation needs as the city grows.

For more information go to calgary.ca/southshaganappi or contact the project team at southshaganappi@calgary.ca. You can also sign up for email updates to get the latest news.

Halloween doesn’t have to be a sugar rush: City offers swim coupons for trick-or-treaters

If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to all the candy that comes out during Halloween season, we have a solution that will keep the ghouls and goblins in your neighbourhood happy. Our Halloween swim coupons are back.

“It’s an awesome deal.” says Heather Cowie, regional manager with The City of Calgary Recreation. “For only $5 you get 10 swim coupons, and when you add in the fact that one of those swim coupons is for a leisure centre, it’s easy to understand why these booklets are so popular.”

Each Halloween coupon booklet includes one swim coupon for a City leisure centre (redeemable at either of our leisure centres), in addition to nine coupons to use at any of the City aquatic & fitness centres (redeemable at any of our 12 aquatic & fitness centres). Children from 2 to 17 can use a coupon to enjoy a free swim during public swim times from Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2015.

For the past nine years, we have encouraged Calgarians to surprise trick-or-treaters with a free swim coupon instead of a traditional sugar-filled Halloween treat. Simply tear off a free swim coupon and drop it into your trick-or-treater's Halloween bags!

Time is running out. Only a limited number of booklets are printed each year and they do sell out so everyone is encouraged to buy their booklets early to avoid disappointment.

Calgarians can purchase the coupon booklets from a variety of City Recreation locations or online at cityonline.calgary.ca. Halloween swim coupons are on sale until October 31. For more information visit calgary.ca/Recreation.

As you prepare for winter, remember your trees need help too!

As the weather gets cooler there are a few easy ways you can help care for and prepare your trees for winter.

1) Water your trees
Continue watering your trees until the leaves have all fallen off and the ground freezes. This will provide your trees with extra moisture to help maintain it through Calgary’s harsh winter. This is especially important to evergreens, such as members of the pine family. Although these trees don't actively grow during the cold months, they do lose moisture, and the cold, dry winds of winter can dry them out.

NOTE: You can also water your trees during Chinooks throughout the winter to keep them hydrated as extreme temperature changes can steal moisture.

2) Assess the health of your trees
Once the leaves have fallen off, take a look for any damage. It will be easier to see broken or hanging branches with the leaves gone. If you notice your tree has damage, we recommend hiring an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist.

3) Mulch your trees
Put mulch around the base of your trees. This will help keep moisture in and protect the tree’s roots from extreme temperature changes by insulating. Check out our Mulching: Do’s and Don’ts resource for more mulching tips.

4) Prune your trees
Fall is a great time to prune many varieties of trees including elm trees as the elm pruning ban is lifted from October 1 until the end of March. If you are unsure about how to properly prune, consult a local arborist.

For more information on how to prepare your trees for winter, make sure to watch our How to prepare your trees for winter video and visit calgary.ca/trees for more tree care tips.

Free Dog Training: Building a strong relationship between pet and owner

Could your dog benefit from recall training? Could you use a few tips from a professional dog trainer? On Saturday, Oct. 17 join a certified professional dog trainer at the Falconridge off-leash area and learn tips and techniques that will help you and your dog show off their best behaviour when in public.

There will be four 45-minute sessions starting at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Certified professional dog trainers, courtesy of our partnership with the Calgary Humane Society, will demonstrate training methods that help improve the human/animal bond. Proper training helps owners by giving them the know-how to minimize their dog’s bad behaviour and encourage appropriate behaviour. Good animal behaviour requires commitment to building strong relationship between pet and owner.

Along with training, pet owners will also be able to chat with off-leash ambassador volunteers, Animal & Bylaw Services staff and will even be able to renew their animal licence.

This event is one of several offered through the year as part of our Off-leash Ambassador program, which is a community-based program providing a volunteer-led approach to promote and educate citizens about the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw.

The City is committed to working with and supporting Calgarians and their pets and this event is an example of this commitment.

Visit our website for more information on the Off-leash Ambassador program and responsible pet ownership.

Three reasons why you should attend the nextCITY: Urban Design speaker series

How are great cities planned and built? How do they change and evolve? Urban designers and expert architects from around the world are visiting our city this fall to speak about how their experiences can be applied to a Calgary context.

The first speaker on our roster, Ken Greenberg, is the former director of urban design and architecture for The City of Toronto. He has played a pivotal role in projects for cities like Amsterdam, New York and Paris.

But if you’re not a city planning buff, why should urban design matter to you?
Greenberg weighs in.

1. Planning and development decisions made today affect future generations.
“What we decide today will affect our children, our grandchildren, great-grandchildren. Urban design affects how everybody lives their daily lives. This is something that people need to be deeply involved in and understand. Know what your neighbourhoods are, what they could be and what changes mean for you.” – Ken Greenberg

2. The way cities are planned impacts climate change.
“We are embracing the role of cities like Calgary as the places where the big problems of our time get solved. The change that is occurring is extraordinary. Some of what I’ll be talking about involves the ways in which we are making complete communities to be more sustainable, like embracing mixed use of buildings, key investments in infrastructure, dealing with climate change and the importance of a green economy.” – Ken Greenberg

And another good reason to attend...

3. There’s going to be free food.
Enough said.

nextCITY: Urban Design speaker series
Ken Greenberg
Date and time: Oct. 6, 2015, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Calgary mess hall, 750 9 Ave S.E.
Free and open to the public. No RSVP required.

Ken Greenberg is an urban designer, teacher, writer, former Director of Urban Design and Architecture for the City of Toronto and Principal of Greenberg Consultants. For over four decades he has played a pivotal role on public and private assignments in urban settings throughout North America and Europe, focusing on the rejuvenation of downtowns, waterfronts, neighbourhoods and on campus master planning, regional growth management, and new community planning. Cities as diverse as Toronto, Hartford, Amsterdam, New York, Boston, Montréal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, St. Louis, Washington DC, Paris, Detroit, Saint Paul and San Juan have benefited from his advocacy and passion for restoring the vitality, relevance and sustainability of the public realm in urban life.

Down the drain no more - practical reuse leads water conservation efforts

Reusing waste water instead of sending it down the drain is one way The City demonstrates leadership in water conservation and sustainability. The City is leading not only by example, but also at the regulatory level.

example of a rainwater housing system

Inspections & Permit Services is a group that has always helped businesses, builders and homeowners navigate the world of green building and sustainable design practices. However, one thing that was missing was the provincial Plumbing Code was the allowance of reclaimed water* usage. That was until August of this year when Municipal Affairs issued a variance to the Plumbing Code – a result of The City of Calgary and other municipalities working towards a change.


“It is important to lead conservation discussions, while at the same time, thinking about the health aspect,” explains Richard Burk, Operational Supervisor, Inspection and Permit Services. In addition to helping enact this change, Richard chaired the task group that created the guidelines all municipalities must follow to work to regulate acceptable reclaimed waste water systems.

“On a day-to-day basis, we enforce the rules set down by the province. We work with home owners, plumbers and engineers to advise on provincial and national codes and standards to ensure [the] correct plans for the implementation of green technologies are being used,” says Richard.

water distribution system

If a business or homeowner wants to install a reclaimed water system, Inspections & Permit Services reviews the plans submitted under the application for a plumbing permit. Once the plans are approved, an inspection is completed upon installation to make sure the system is good to go.

Businesses are jumping on board to save money and water. The new Calgary Airport terminal has included reclaimed water systems in their design and the Calgary South Hospital is using water from water softening equipment to flush toilets and urinals. The new Telus Sky tower is also looking at incorporating reclaimed water into its design. And The City? We’re now able to start using reclaimed water to wash garbage trucks.

“Solutions like this help alleviate stress and add years of service to City facilities. It is important to be able to use our sustainable design practices in order to benefit the environment and reduce demand on infrastructure,” says Richard.

Permit requirements for installing sustainable technology
Depending on the construction processes involved and Land Use Bylaw rules, the installation of a sustainable technology system may require a development permit, building permit and/or trade permits (electrical, heating, plumbing). For more information, please contact the Planning Services Support Centre at 403-268-5311.

Other information regarding water reuse
Check out The City commitment to reduce water consumption (in 2002) by 30 per cent over 30 years.
Check out the Rainwater Harvesting Guide which outlines the best practices for rainwater harvesting systems in the City of Calgary.

*Reclaimed water is the practice of treating wastewater to remove all impurities to meet commercial and industrial water needs, such as toilet and urinal flushing and car washes. Reclaimed water is water that is used more than one time before it passes back into the natural water cycle promoting water conservation and sustainability.

Calgarians weigh in on the future of main streets

Representing one of the largest local planning engagement efforts initiated by The City, more than 2,200 Calgarians collectively volunteered 1,335 hours of their time to share concerns, suggestions and future visions for main street neighbourhoods.

Whether attending a workshop, completing an online survey or dropping by an information session or online discussion, over the six month city-wide engagement effort, participants demonstrated that they are invested and hopeful for these areas. During these discussions, people often defined their main street by its success or potential as an important connection point for people and a model for vibrant communities.

The City has compiled a summary of the public input and local statistics collected for each of the 24 main streets outlined in the Municipal Development Plan (Calgary’s long term growth plan).

Northwest Bowness Road NW (Bowness) Bowness Road NW (Montgomery) 16 Ave NW (Montgomery) 16 Ave N Kensington Rd NW 10 St NW 4 St NW Centre St North Southwest Richmond Rd SW 37 St SW 17 Ave SW 10 Ave SW 14 St W 33 Ave SW 4 St SW 50 Ave SW

Northeast Edmonton Trail NE 1 Ave NE 32 Ave NE 36 St NE Southeast 17 Ave SE 9 Ave SE MacLeod Trail S (north) MacLeod Trail SE

Visit calgary.ca/mainstreets to see what Calgarians had to say and learn more about how this input will be used to inform planning decisions for main streets going forward.