The new northeast regional park in Airdrie is one step closer to seeing some construction happening after the public engagement phase came to an end in December.
Currently, Arcadis Professional Services is working to prepare the NE Regional Park master plan, which will determine the park’s full development through a phased approach. This plan is scheduled to be presented to council on March 18.
Justine Berger, Airdrie’s jr. corporate land administrator, stated that the park will be completed in phases over the next 10+ years.
Phase 1, which is scheduled to begin in Q3 of this year, will offer passive developments such as pathways, trails and picnic areas.
Ernie Webster from Arcadis presented the findings from the public engagement process that started in November 2023 to council on Feb. 5.
He said an important moment in the engagement process was an indigenous ceremony held on the land on Nov. 10, 2023. Elders spoke about respect for the land and its history, and emphasized that healing should be part of the park.
This was followed by consultation with adjacent landowners, interest groups, and a public open house on Nov. 29.
Feedback was overall positive with some concerns mainly around a proposed campground in the northeast corner.
“I completely agree with everybody on the campground,” said Deputy Mayor Tina Petrow. “Campgrounds have to be managed properly, there’s a whole process to that and I think if we’re going to do a campground it has to be done right, it has to be managed, appropriately sized, serviced, secure, all that kind of stuff.”
Negative feedback on the campground included security, while positive feedback was that it would be great to support tournaments, Webster said.
Other concerns about the park plans included whether it could become a tax burden while some sporting groups already expressed interest in working on funding opportunities.
Webster also added that a lot of people felt it was important to make the park usable in all four seasons, including winter activities and summer activities.
Feedback was positive about the overall schematic design noting good balance between programming and retaining the natural character of the park.
There was positive feedback about the greenspace included but some concern about dogs interacting with wildlife.
Residents were happy about the balance of indigenous design elements and more recent history of homesteads, as well as the diversity in recreational activities.
Webster also noted there was a desire for washrooms, changing facilities, and concessions space within the park.
Council approved the thematic concepts last fall with 45 per cent of the park being encompassed by natural tree area, almost a third to be dedicated to sports and recreation and 10 per cent to supporting tourism and tournaments.
To learn more about the NE Regional Park, go to involve.airdrie.ca/new-northeast-ne-regional-park
