It is important for our residents and those of the surrounding communities to be aware of the facts regarding the City’s rezoning application (File: LOC2018-0062) of 37 Cardiff DR NW to convert Cambrian’s Community Reserve green space lands to cemetery lands.  This application refers specifically to our park space on the NE corner of 10^th St and 32^nd Ave NW, currently designated as an Off-Leash Dog Park.  This is a precedent-setting step by the City to remove Community Reserve (S-SPR) lands from a Calgary community and we are strongly opposed to this rezoning and proposed loss.

Here are the facts:

• This land was originally designated to our community when Cambrian Heights was created in 1956. It is the 2nd largest park area in the Community.
• In October 2005 the City notified us that they would be developing this land as an extension of the Queen’s Park Cemetery (QPC). They claimed erroneously that this land had always been part of the QPC inventory.
• By January 2006 – through historic land titles maps, letters and documents obtained through City records – the CHCA was able to conclusively prove that this was Community Reserve land as defined by the Provincial Municipal Government Act (PMGA) and not part of QPC’s land inventory.
• In July 2006 Calgary City Council accepted that this was Community Reserve land. They understood that under PMGA, the City of Calgary would have to pay the value of the land to a special fund (then estimated at between $6.5–$9 million).  Council decided not to proceed with the acquisition of this “expensive” Community Reserve property.
• Parks and Recreation, Cemetery Division was directed by the same City Council resolution to acquire cheaper lands for a new cemetery to meet the City’s need. That was 12 years ago! The Ralph Klein Cemetery is being developed but we have been told it will not be ready for anywhere between 1 and 3 years from now.  That is the excuse the City is using to expropriate these Park lands from us.
• A senior Parks and Recreation official was quoted by QR77 radio on April 3, 2018 at 1:30 PM as saying that there are other options available to Parks and Recreation. What are those “options”? She also indicated there would be continuing demand for cemetery space in the North.  Where?
• Other Community Reserve lands border QPC including the green spaces on Cardiff DR, 39^th Ave and 10^th St NW and the tennis courts, open area and baseball diamond immediately north of 30^th Ave NW. Loss of these Park Reserve lands in question would set a precedent.
• Lastly, the CHCA board feels strongly that City Parks has restricted the area of notification and minimized public consultation for this re-designation given its implication to the entire Cambrian Heights Community and bounding communities such as Rosemont, Highwood and Mount Pleasant.

HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD:

Please help us to express your support to retain our Community Reserve land by reaching out specifically to the following contacts with the benefits you perceive as significant to your health and sociological enjoyment of this park space:

• Planning & Development website (calgary.ca/development) – search for “LOC2018-0062”; click on “37 Cardiff DR NW”;, then “Find Out More” and then “Share Your Thoughts”
• Giyan Brenkman (File Manager Planning & Development): email brenkman@calgary.ca; Phone 403-268-2678, and
• Alderman Sean Chu (Ward 4): chu@calgary.ca; @seanchucalgary; Phone 403-268-3727

It is only through political pressure that we can impact this re-designation and Reserve Park land annexation.  If this land becomes part of QPC for a two year stop gap measure, it is gone forever as community park space. We believe this land should be keep for future generations of the living due to its social and recreational benefits for our inner City residents.

According to the City website (www.calgary.ca) as of April 6 the Redesignation Application has been temporarily suspended and public consultations are being suggested. However there remains the very tight deadline for a formal response to City Planning & Development of April 13, 2018. Please make your opinions heard. For updates please visit our website.

On Behalf of the Cambrian Heights Community Association,
Daryl Connolly, President
president@cambrianheightscommunity.com

For a detailed reference map of the land in question please go the following:
http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/pd/Documents/lud_section_maps/1p2007/33C.pdf

At their own initiative Aylish, Jonah and Niall obtained over 100 residents signatures on their petition against the removal of the Dog Park for an expansion of the Queen’s Park Cemetery.

The Queen’s Park Cemetery has been serving Calgarians for nearly 80 years, and it is nearing capacity. Queen’s Park is currently the only active City-operated cemetery and the only northwest burial option for Calgarians.

To continue to meet the needs of the community, The City of Calgary will be expanding the cemetery into the south-west corner of the site (bordered by 10 St. NW and 32 Ave. NW), currently used as an off-leash area. As part of this work, it will extend the fencing that surrounds the cemetery site and is preparing a planting plan that will screen the site from view.

Work is scheduled to begin in June/July 2018. There will be a short period of construction traffic, and increased noise as the fencing and trees are installed and some groundwork is completed. As a cemetery, the site will be permanently protected from further development.

Information session

The City is hosting an information session about the cemetery expansion on May 9, from 6-8 p.m. at the Highwood Community Hall (16 Harlow Avenue NW). All are welcome to drop in and learn more.

Relocation of the off-leash area

The City would like to try to provide a new or improved alternative off-leash area nearby. It is working on identifying other suitable spaces in the area and will be holding community engagement in June to seek input on which alternative could work best. More details will follow as they are confirmed.

For more information, visit Calgary.ca/offleashprojects or contact 311.

CHS Fundraising Society And School Council Presents The Chance To Win
A Custom Fender Style Telecaster Guitar!

Imagine owning your own electric guitar – we have just the thing! One of our talented Cambrian Heights dads will be hand-building a one-of-a-kind Telecaster-style guitar for us to raffle off. How cool is that?!

June 22, 2018, is the draw date.

The winner must be 18 years of age or older, in Alberta, and will be notified by email or phone. Arrangements will be made for the prize to be picked up at Cambrian Heights Elementary School 640 Northmount Dr. NW, Calgary AB T2K3J5 the following week.

Please send an email to Cambrian.schoolcouncil@gmail.com to purchase tickets or ask for the written rules.

The Cambrian Heights Community Association would like to thank ENMAX and the Federation of Calgary Communities for their financial support in replacing our outdoor ice rink light fixtures with new LED lighting. The Energizing Spaces Fund provided by ENMAX and administered by the Federation has generously supported our Community in the past replacing aging electrical appliances. This grant allowed us to replace lighting fixtures that were over 20 years old and will provide substantial energy savings for the community over the winter months. This is the first step in the Community converting all its lighting usage to LED fixtures and further reducing electrical costs.

We invite all community residents to enjoy evening or daytime skating over the Christmas holidays and throughout the winter on our two ice surfaces behind the Community Hall.

The Off-Leash Ambassador program is an innovative approach with a volunteer-based, citizen-led initiative to promote responsible pet ownership in Calgary’s 150 off-leash parks.

Volunteers in the program will:

• Promote responsible pet ownership, positive pet interactions and safety in off-leash areas through the provision of information and demonstrations
• Answer questions regarding Calgary’s bylaws in off-leash areas
• Act as positive role models in off-leash parks in terms of adhering with Calgary’s bylaws
• Provide an avenue for citizens to express concerns and pass along concerns to City staff
• Promote the work of Calgary Community Standards and the services available at the Animal Services Centre, such as animal adoption and licensing.

Ambassadors will receive training to familiarize themselves with bylaws, canine body language, as well as tactics to communicate with the public.

For more information and to apply, please visit:  www.calgary.ca/offleashvolunteer

A bobcat has been sighted at Cambridge Place Boarding Confederation Park on August 30th, 2017.

Be Advised & Careful with Small Pets or Children

The City of Calgary Has Been Notified

Construction update and temporary bus stop relocation

Construction continues on the Northmount Drive N.W. (Phase 1) improvements:

• Concrete work is expected to be complete by the end of August
• Pavement milling (removing asphalt surface to prepare for re-paving) between Carol Drive N.W. and Cambrian Drive N.W. will begin once concrete work is complete
• Re-paving on 14 Street N.W. is complete
• The 10 curb extensions between Northland Drive N.W. and Clarendon Road N.W. are expected to be installed before school begins this fall. First, crews will mark the pavement and then place the concrete slabs with a truck-mounted crane. This work is expected to take place during off-peak hours
• All businesses remain open during construction

Temporary bus stop relocation
Bus stop 5742 has been temporarily relocated to the east side of 14 Street N.W. during construction on the bus zone rehabilitation.

More information
For more information, please contact 311 or visit the project webpage.
Thank you for your patience during construction!

Canadian Blood Services has moved to 200 Barclay Parade SW, 2nd Floor Eau Claire Market (across from the Cineplex Theatres).

Donors are needed during the evening hours. Book your appointment at blood.ca