Join us to celebrate parks in Calgary

ParksFest invites Calgarians from every quadrant of the city to dream big, share ideas and re-imagine the future of community parks.

ParksFest is a free, public outdoor event, taking place in Haultain Park on Saturday, September 21 from 1 – 4 p.m. This event will feature giant inflatable games, carnival games and stage performances. ParksFest also marks the official 10th anniversary celebration of Parks Foundation Calgary’s Building Communities program. To celebrate we will be awarding $50,000 through our special funding round – the Energize Awards.

Building Communities was created in 2009 with a vision of providing safe, interactive and fun spaces for Calgarians to play and build connections. Since its inception, Building Communities has provided more than $23 million dollars towards 160 local community projects. This year, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, ten local community projects were selected to compete for an additional $50,000 in award money ($25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place, $10,000 for third place). These are called the Energize Awards. Calgarians will get a chance to place their vote at ParksFest for the Building Communities projects they think are most deserving of an Energize Award.

Click HERE to watch a video story of each project. All voting will take place on September 21 at ParksFest, with the successful award winners being named that day.

President’s Message – August 2019

July and August are quiet months for the Community Association as summer activities and vacations are enjoyed by all the directors and volunteers. There will however be activity at the Community Hall as some renovations and maintenance projects are undertaken. A major upgrading of lighting and flooring is scheduled along with some bathroom facilities improvements. These must be scheduled over the summer months while the Edelweiss Preparatory School is in recess.

Upcoming Events

September 14 Asado BBQ 3 – 9 pm Hall & Grounds
October 26 Halloween Dance TBD Hall
November 2 Lego Contest 11 am – 3 pm Hall
TBD Cooking Class TBD Hall

Once again we will be starting our Fall social programs with another September Asado BBQ. This was a great success last year with Chilean style outdoor barbecued lamb, pig and vegetables plus open mike music, wine, cider and beer. This was a family affair that lasted well into the evening as the musicians were outstanding. If you would like to volunteer for this event or contribute to the music please contact Jodie Dixon (social@cambrianheightscommunity.com) and help make this another memorable family and neighbourhood event.

This Fall we will also host our annual Halloween Dance and Lego contest for the children. After the success enjoyed this spring we will have another Cooking Class hosted by Chef Don Turnbull. Stay tuned as more information on these events are posted on our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com).

Our weekly yoga program will be suspended for the July/August months as will the four weekly fitness drop-in programs (Piloxing, Kickboxing, and Body Lift ) offered at the Hall in the early evenings. These programs will be started up in September with information posted in our website and the Newsletter. However, over the summer months, we will be offering Monday/Wednesday “Body Lift Method” classes. For more information check our website.

We wish to thank all the volunteers (John Lee, Peter Meyer, De Myer, Lara Wilson and Mike) plus our organizer Gary Wilson for the great job they once again did with our Spring Cleanup June 16.  A poster in this Newsletter summarizes the amount of waste and recyclables collected along with 54 kilograms of electronics. A great community event and a big thank you to all that participated. I have attached some pictures from the event including the small traffic jam on Northmount Drive.

As outlined previously we at Cambrian Heights have initiated a Community Parks focus to better develop, recognize and utilize our park spaces in the future. One of our first focus areas will be the park on 10th Street and 32nd Avenue adjoining Queen’s Park Cemetery. This is currently an Off-Lease Dog Park and the focus of much controversy in 2018. We will be looking for residents who want to take part in determining how to improve this park through design and facility additions to reflect its importance and ownership to our community. If you wish to be involved or comment on this process please let us know by emailing cambrianheights@gmail.com. We will be focusing our development ideas for this park space in the Fall in association with support from our neighbours at Rosemont and the team at Bentall Kennedy who manages the North Hill Mall. Please get involved if you value this current Dog Park and wish to maintain it for our use in the future.

The next meeting of the Board will take place on September 9th.  All residents are welcome to attend. These meetings normally take place at the Georgina Thomson City building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive at 6:30 PM.

 

Remember Participation Builds Your Community

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Cambrian Heights – Reimagining Our Parks

The Cambrian Heights Community Association (CHCA) is developing an open spaces strategy as part of its “Creating Our Future Together” initiative. This strategy is about ensuring Cambrian Heights is a community with “great open spaces” that serve as natural gathering points in the community and promote the quality of life of residents. Additionally, increased usage of these spaces contributes to building a vibrant community and helps to ensure their preservation for generations to come.

A key aspect of this strategy involves reimagining our open spaces, looking beyond what they currently are to what they could ultimately become. At this point, one area of focus is the park space located at northeast corner of 32nd Avenue NW & 10th Street NW. This space, which is a designated off-leash space, is a destination for pet owners from throughout the area and was the focus of a recent attempt by the City to remove this valuable park from our community for expansion of Queen’s Park Cemetery.

So, how might we reimagine and enhance this off-leash space to create the best possible experience for animals and people alike? If you are interested in getting involved in this conversation, the CHCA is looking for you. Please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com.

Thank you Community of Cambrian Heights for a great Community Cleanup

On behalf of the City of Calgary, the Community Cleanup Program led by Calgary Community Standards would like to thank the volunteers and the residents for a job well done at the Community Cleanup this year.

Thank you community clean up

Painting in Rotary Park – Free Event

The City of Calgary, in partnership with Crescent Heights Community Association, invites you to enjoy the beautiful view in Rotary Park while Painting in the Park!

Join your neighbours as you paint your own view from Rotary Park!

Channel inspiration from our cities unique landscape while enjoying the beautiful outdoor park atmosphere.

FREE refreshments and cookies will be on hand to get your creative juices flowing!

This is a FREE event for the whole family and we welcome children to help their parents paint.

Registration is limited to 6 tickets per email address. Register Online Now!

Each ticket registered receives a canvas to paint and all paint supplies will be provided.

** Please note:
In the event of inclement weather, the activity may be cancelled.
This event is limited to 75 participants.

Project Participation Opportunity

Alberta Family Perceptions of Neighbourhood Natural Supports

Natural supports are mutual relationships that include close connections, such as family and friends, and broader connections, such as neighbours and coaches.

This project is collecting information on families’ experiences and views of

  1. The connectedness of their home neighbourhood
  2. Current opportunities available within their neighbourhood that can enable the creation of natural supports
  3. Barriers and enablers to participation in these opportunities

Caregivers of families with children currently living in the same household are invited to participate in a survey available at https://redcap.ualberta.ca/surveys/?s=FR8M43PL8C. This survey is in English and has 12 questions that will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Those who complete the survey will be able to enter into a draw to win one of several gift cards offered.

Background

Natural supports can lessen the effects of stress and difficult experiences by providing opportunities for learning, as well as receiving encouragement and advice. To increase natural support opportunities within Albertan neighbourhoods, we need to know what is happening within neighbourhoods, and what families would like to see developed.

Benefits of Participating

The findings of this project will help inform the use of natural supports in neighbourhoods to enable the creation of more supportive environments for children, youth and families in Alberta.

Next Steps

If you would like to participate and you have children currently in your care, please visit the following link to complete this survey: https://redcap.ualberta.ca/surveys/?s=FR8M43PL8C. If you would like additional information or have any questions, please email Jessica‐Lynn Walsh at jlawalsh@ucalgary.ca, or you may also call if preferred at 403‐441‐8464.

This project is being conducted by a Master’s and Policy Fellowship student, Jessica‐Lynn Walsh, and an undergraduate student, Jordan Overwater, at the University of Calgary on behalf of Policy Fellows Nancy Reynolds and Suzanne Tough, PhD. The work is supported by the Max Bell Foundation and the Burns Memorial Fund. This project has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB19‐0295 and
REB19-0626).

Residential Parking Permit Review

We want to hear from you.

The City of Calgary is working with Calgarians to update the Residential Parking Permit Policy. Review the possible options and provide input at the open house events below:

Tuesday, June 18 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association – 1320 5 Ave. N.W.

Saturday, June 22 9 a.m. – noon
Cardel Rec South – 333 Shawville Blvd. S.E.

Or participate online at calgary.ca/RPP from June 12-26.

Asado and Open Mic Night!

You are invited to attend our second annual Asado and Open Mic!

For those new to the term Asado, it is a South American tradition of gathering with friends and family to slow roast food over an open flame.  We hope you enjoy tending to the fire, lending a hand with food preparation and enjoying the talented musicians in our community.

The event is free; however, meal tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members.

Purchase your 2019 community membership first at CHCA website.

Then, purchase your tickets for the event.

And last – sign up for a task!

Tickets are on sale until September 11. A very limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Our capacity for this event is 150 people.

Menu: 

  • Alberta Pork or Lamb
  • Corn Tortilla or Pita
  • Variety of Toppings and Sauces/Salsas
  • Grilled Corn
  • Fruit

This is a rain or shine event and we will post up to date information online and on our Facebook group, Cambrian Heights Community.

Be an active participant with us… contact Jodi or Pablo to volunteer and join in the community fun at social@cambrianheightscommunity.com or (403) 284-1175.

Thank you to our local businesses for their sponsorship:

Barbeques Galore, Kelly’s Specialty Meats and Salsita Mexican Food Market

 

Fire up the fun… again!

Summer is just beginning and we’re already planning the second annual Asado and Open Mic. Save September 14 as a day to come together with your neighbours and friends and enjoy local produce, meat and homegrown talent.

In keeping with the spirit of an Asado, everyone can lend a hand.  Whether you want to participate with the food, music, set up or take down, there’s a role just right for you.  Some of our first tasks will happen over the summer sourcing food, entertainment and overall planning.

Join us over a glass of wine mid-July for early discussions.  Please contact Jodi or Pablo at social@cambrianheightscommunity.com or (403) 284-1175.

President’s Message – July 2019

July and August are quiet months for the Community Association as summer activities and vacations are enjoyed by all the directors and volunteers. There will however be activity at the Community Hall as some renovations and maintenance projects are undertaken. A major upgrading of lighting and flooring is scheduled along with some bathroom facilities improvements. These must be scheduled over the summer months while the Edelweiss Preparatory School is in recess.

On May 29-30 our major fundraising event was held at Casino Calgary. We wish to thank all volunteers who contributed their time to the critical fundraiser for Cambrian Heights. A special thanks go out to Sonya Hnatiw for her efforts in coordinating volunteers and the organizational planning. Without this fundraiser, your Community Association activities and facilities would not be able to continue operations as currently organized.

At the writing of this report, we were preparing for our Annual General Meeting June 11 and our fifth annual Spring Cleanup June 16 in association with Rosemont Community. We hope you were able to take advantage of these events and the Community wishes to again thank Gary Wilson for his organization of the Cleanup event.

Upcoming Events

 

September 14 Asado BBQ 3 – 9 pm Hall & Grounds
October 26 Halloween Dance TBD Hall
November 2 Lego Contest 11 am – 3 pm Hall
TBD Cooking Class TBD Hall

 

Once again we will be starting our Fall social programs with another September Asado BBQ. This was a great success last year with Chilean style outdoor barbecued lamb, pig and vegetables plus open mike music, wine, cider and beer. This was a great family affair that lasted well into the evening as the musicians were outstanding. If you would like to volunteer for this event please contact Jodie Dixon (social@cambrianheightscommunity.com) and enjoy the full impact of this neighbourhood event.

This Fall we will once again host our annual Halloween Dance and Lego contest for the children. After the success enjoyed this spring we will have another Cooking Class hosted by Chef Don Turnbull. Stay tuned as more information on these events are posted on our website.

Our weekly yoga program will be suspended for the July/August months as will the four weekly fitness drop-in programs (Piloxing, Kickboxing, and Body Lift ) offered at the Hall in the early evenings. These programs will be started up in September with information posted on our website and the August Newsletter issue. However, over the summer months, we will be offering Monday/Wednesday “Body Lift Method” classes outdoors. For more information check our website or the poster in this months Newsletter.

In our last report, we highlighted the Jane’s Walk and our focus on community parks. In this context, we wish to name these various green spaces and improve their usage through consultation with residents. The attached photo’s show two members of the “Thursday Afternoon Classy Painters” enjoying Confederation Park in early May as a source of artistic inspiration. A great use of our parks.

One of our first focus areas will be the park on 10th Street and 32nd Avenue adjoining Queen’s Park Cemetery. This is currently an Off-Leash Dog Park and the focus of much controversy in 2018. We will be looking for residents who want to take part in determining how to improve this park through design and facility additions to reflect its importance and ownership to our community. If you wish to be involved or comment on this process please let us know by emailing cambrianheights@gmail.com.

The next meeting of the Board will take place on September 9.  All residents are welcome to attend. These meetings normally take place at the Georgina Thomson City building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive at 6:30 PM.

Remember Participation Builds Your Community
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA