From the ground up - Heritage Inspires YYC
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from the ground up
Calgary celebrating 100 years of parks
This book is dedicated to all the individuals, groups and organizations
which have supported and contributed to Calgary’s parks and pathways.
Our parks and pathways are remarkable, a direct reflection of the extraordinary people
who have, and continue to give, their time and energy creating and sustaining a vibrant,
healthy, safe and caring community f illed with beautiful spaces for
Calgarians today and for generations to come.
table of contents
letters 10
introduction 12
Th e e arth b en e ath o u r fee t
C hapter 1 putting down roots 14
1 875 – 1 909
C hapter 2 the seeds of promise 32
1 9 1 0 – 1 946
C hapter 3 the growing season 54
1 947 – 1976
C hapter 4 a respectable harvest 68
1977 – 2000
C hapter 5 a bountiful future 86
2001 – Onward
timeline 106
1867 – 2010
bibliographical essay 110
C algary C eleb r ati n g 1 0 0 y e ars o f Par ks
notes 116
4 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 5
t (Top-bottom,
t) Victoria Park,
, CPR Gardens,
s.
stcard collection: Courtesy
site page
ttom, left-right)
nappi Point, Bow
1900s.
stcards: Courtesy Mr. Roe
ng at Bowness
1910s.
chives na-4355-31
ming in Elbow
c 1940s.
chives pa-3538-20
8 Calga8
r y C e l e b rC
at in
al a r100
gg y Cyeelaerbsr at nagr 100
o fi p k s y e a r s o f pa r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 9
Letters
Dear Fellow Calgarians: Dear Reader;
Our natural environment is an important asset in our great city, and it is particularly The year 2010 marks the 100th anniversary of The City of Calgary Parks. One hundred years
important as our city grows and matures, we protect, expand and enhance our public ago the first Parks Superintendent was tasked with planning and establishing a park system
green spaces. Over the past 100 years, Parks has worked to create and sustain a vibrant, for the growing town of Calgary; population approximately 40,000.
healthy, safe and caring community as the provider of parks and open space.
Although Parks has seen significant changes over the last century, many things haven’t
Please join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary of The City of Calgary Parks as we changed. Calgarians’ appreciation for green spaces was woven into the fabric of Calgary’s
commemorate the past, present and future of parks and open spaces in Calgary. From culture early in 1884 when citizens could purchase spruce trees for five cents each to help
the time of the first Parks Superintendent, John Buchanan, until now, the citizens of beautify the town. Today, Calgarians continue to care for and protect our green spaces of
Calgary recognized the need for quality parks and open spaces. more than 7,700 hectares and including more than 700 kilometres of pathways. Our parks
have truly grown with us – from activities that have stood the test of time like music concerts
Understanding our roots and working to maintain and enhance our natural environment in parks, to new activities like geocaching – parks have a special place in our lives.
will help ensure a bright future for all Calgarians, spanning many generations and
centuries to come. Parks are a precious resource in a big city – please take some time to For 100 years, The City of Calgary Parks has stewarded open spaces and nature.
learn more about Calgary’s open spaces, and get out and enjoy them for yourself!
We have been a part of every Calgary neighbourhood. We look forward to many more years
of promoting environmental stewardship and community pride in these parks that make
Calgary a great city and a wonderful place to live.
Sincerely, Sincerely,
October 12, 2010 October 10, 2010
Dave Bronconnier Anne Charlton, CSLA
Mayor Director
10 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 11
T he earth beneath our feet
This is the story of the builders and The varying textures are dramatic, the Whether enjoyed as a place to walk, sit, duals, families and corporations that recog- postcards below
benefactors of Calgary’s parks and open climate brazen, the microclimates and plant play or socialize, parks have considerable nize the intrinsic value of public open space (left to right) CPR Park,
spaces; the individuals, community groups life diverse. bearing on the quality of life enjoyed by the by making it a priority, for now and for 1900s, Skating on Elbow
and corporations that have together shaped population of any urban community. Parks the future. River, 1910s, St. George’s
the softer side — the sense of place — in this Two rivers bring in clean mountain water, provide a much-needed respite from the Island, 1920s, Central
urban centre, over the past 100 years. which over thousands of years, has carved unnatural pace of an urban lifestyle. After 100 years of growing and nurturing, Memorial Park, 1940s,
steep escarpments, rendered bluffs and Calgary boasts a parks and open space Dinny at Calgary Zoo
It is the story about people changing nature defined islands along the river valley. But competing interests and high land system that covers 7,742 hectares spread 1950s, Central Memorial
to conform to human needs and expecta- values can challenge priorities, and the nat- over 5,345 individual parcels. This system Park, 1970s.
tions, and then changing expectations to The region’s topography was ideal for bison ural environment is always and by defini- of community parks is supplemented by an historic postcard collection
hunting among the First Nations people who
courtesy of mr. roe.
align with, to preserve, and even to restore tion, vulnerable. Putting useful land to the extensive pathway system stretching more
the natural environment and cultural land- have been here all along. In time, it would side for public enjoyment before private than 700 kilometres.
scape that is Calgary. lend itself to more recreational exploits as interests consume it is at best expensive, and
environmental parkland within the city. at worst, cost-prohibitive. As Parks celebrates 100 years of effort and
Calgary’s physical setting is spectacular and The natural landscape of Calgary provides accomplishment, the parks themselves cont-
opportune. The city sits on the western edge the physical resources for the growing of The City of Calgary has benefited immensely inue to provide a source of public pride and
of the prairie grasslands in clear view of the parks. People provide the vision and energy from the foresight and generosity of indivi- a place of belonging.
Rocky Mountains to the south and west. to make that growth happen.
12 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 13
page Picnic lunch
loughing in Alberta,
chives na-3747-6
chapter one
Putting down roots
1875 –1909
14 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 15
Putting down roots – growing Calgary’s park system
page
iver and Islands
913.
f calgary parks
C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 171
87 5 – 19 09
Putting down roots
The promise of economic opportunity stimulated
considerable interest in the area, and by the time the railroad
arrived in 1883, a steady influx of settlers had already
spawned a small town.
icture it if you will. A camp Bow River valley. The
After the establishment of on the north shore of the Bow promise of economic
ort Calgary, the town of Calgary became River, across from what is now opportunity stimulated
fficial in the fall of 1884, with its own St. George’s Island. Smoke is considerable interest in
overnment, industry (agricultural), wafting from a smouldering the area, and by the time
ewspaper (the Herald) and a spattering fire that barely warms the the railroad arrived in
timber homes exposed to the relentless crisp morning air. The running river anim- 1883, a steady influx of
nds and manic climes of the bald ates an otherwise silent vignette at this settlers had already spaw-
airie. It was a harsh environment, but strategic junction in the First Nations trail ned a small town.
e 500 or so residents were optimistic system. For generations the people of the
ey could transform it into home. Blackfoot Nation have camped here. The town of Calgary
became official in the
In the winter of 1787-88, European explorer fall of 1884, with its own
David Thompson joined them. He recorded government, industry
the longitude and latitude of the spot in (agricultural), newspaper
his journal. (the Herald) and a spatt-
ering of timber homes
Not far away but nearly 100 years later, the exposed to the relentless winds and manic ABOVE First Nations
North West Mounted Police established climes of the bald prairie. It was a harsh camp near Fort Calgary,
an outpost on a tract of barren land at the environment, but the 500 or so residents AB., c 1880s.
confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers. were optimistic they could transform it
The year was 1875 and the west was about to
glenbow archives Na-665-1
into home.
be settled. Fort Calgary represented law and LEFT The View of
order in this remote region on the western When it came to transforming the landscape Fort Calgary, AB.,
edge of the prairies. And that semblance of from barren to beautiful, William Pearce looking north from bank
of Elbow River, 1881.
civilization, along with unprecedented home- proved to be Calgary’s earliest and perhaps
steading opportunities, would entice enter- most influential benefactor. An inspector for glenbow archives Na-325-13
prising pioneers to stake a claim out west. the Dominion Land Agencies in Ottawa,
Pearce oversaw all land title claims out west.
In 1880, the Canadian Pacific Railway
revealed its plan to re-route the transconti- A man of considerable clout, and unchecked
nental train south and west along the arrogance, Pearce had a singular ability
18 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 19From his first visit to the area in the early 1880s,
Pearce believed in the creation of a city that would
be visually attractive to citizens and visitors alike.
to irritate just about everyone he came in That same year, the community requested
contact with. His boss, the Minister of the land from the Dominion Government for
Interior, once claimed that 98 out of 100 use as a public park. The request was
people that Pearce met, disliked him. Fortun- approved and a large section of bare land
ately for Calgary, what he lacked in popul- adjacent to the Bow River at the far west
arity he made up for in vision. end of town was transferred to the Town in
1885. Calgary’s first park — which included
From his first visit to the area in the early the lands where Mewata Armories and
1880s, Pearce believed in the creation of Shaw Millennium Park are today — would
a city that would be visually attractive to lay fallow for a good 20 years. It was out-of-
citizens and visitors alike. He wasted no the-way and its value was largely overlooked
time getting things started. In 1884, three as parkland.
years before purchasing his own acreage
from the CPR (Pearce Estate), Pearce In June 1890, the Town filed for permission
used his position to reserve land along the to use this land commonly known as the
north side of the Bow River between what “west end park” for a waterworks pumping
would eventually become the Langevin station. In September of the same year, they
and Louise bridges. As adjacent properties offered the entire property to the CPR for
w
were being gobbled up with aggressive land a train works yard if the railroad moved
m Pearce, c 1881.
claims, this 200-foot wide reserve was to its Divisional point to Calgary. The CPR
chives NA-339-1 be saved for public use, improved upon declined the offer, and the Town went on
with the planting of trees, largely ignoring the park until 1906.
and destined to provide a would not be accommodated there indefin- William Pearce in the search for suitable above Calgary, AB, 1885.
pleasant drive along the itely. The Catholic site was consecrated ground. land. After careful consideration, Pearce
As prospective landowners continued to
Glenbow archives NA-3188-42
Bow River. Today it is the selected 112 acres west of town where
scramble for title to choice properties in
city’s landmark boulevard Suggesting the lack of a designated cemetery Shaganappi Golf Course is today. Its
1884, the Town wrestled with many of the
— Memorial Drive, and was forcing the burial of people at random location on the hill afforded a lovely view of
logistics that plague a young town, including
an important part of locations around town, the Herald called on the town site, road access was deemed easy
the question of where to bury its dead. The
Calgary’s extensive river civic leaders to demonstrate some leadership to establish, and there was potential for the
Catholic Mission (established in Calgary in
pathway system. and come up with a solution. The Town site to serve other municipal needs such as
1875), had its own cemetery, but the arrival
of the railroad introduced a predominantly responded by creating a cemetery committee a park, or a reservoir, if Calgary chose to
Protestant population that could not, and that, in turn, enlisted the assistance of establish a waterworks system in the future.
20 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 21Calgary’s early settlers were naturally drawn
to the river’s edge for leisure and refreshment, enjoying
community picnics and family time there.
At the east end of town, readily accessible For some reason, the Town never did follow park purposes and that the Town plant trees
and conveniently down wind, 40 acres on through with the sale of the old cemetery and take other such initiatives to beautify
what is now Scotsman’s Hill was considered land. And so Calgary’s inventory of parkland the sites.
a good alternative. The Dominion Govern- grew, by default.
ment, which owned the land, had designated Suspecting the islands might one day be
it for use as school land, but agreed to make The natural topography of the region needed for future railway construction,
it available to Calgary through public provided several other opportune park areas. the government opted to lease instead of
auction. In true eleventh-hour style, some- Escarpments and bluffs along the rivers, and granting ownership title. At first, the Town
one else swooped in and outbid the Town islands in the stream, for example, were rejected the offer because it did not want to
at auction, and the search for an alter- preserved as part of Calgary’s park system spend money for improvements to parkland
nate cemetery site continued. essentially because they appeared unsuited it didn’t own. But when the Herald suggested
for anything else. Calgary’s civic leaders were out-of-step with
Since free or cheap government land close other Canadian cities such as Montreal and
to town was no longer available, a third plan The Bow and Elbow rivers, with their Toronto in terms of Calgary’s park devel-
e Funeral procession Always thinking ahead, Pearce was.
n Cemetery, Calgary, to acquire a cemetery site was necessary. fresh, mountain water and numerous small opment, the Town of Calgary had a change
ne 4, 1911. The one thing Pearce didn’t do however, The Town clerk contacted the Minister of wooded islands, provided a stark contrast of heart.
(nor did anyone else, for that matter), was the Interior to ask permission to sell the old to the parched prairie land everywhere
below St. George’s
chives na-2315-6
plant a shovel in the ground there. If he had, cemetery site (at Shaganappi) and purchase else. Calgary’s early settlers were naturally More than two years of negotiations fol-
Island, c 1900s.
there’s a good chance he would have realized private land. Permission was granted and drawn to the river’s edge for leisure and lowed before the Town signed the lease
the criteria for a suitable graveyard involves the search for a new site resumed. refreshment, enjoying community picnics agreement in 1890 and named the lower glenbow archives na-2159-10
more than a good view and easy road access. and family time there.
It didn’t take long to find one. A tract of
mostly treeless, hillside land southeast It should come as no surprise then that the
In the winter of 1885, the federal govern-
of the Elbow River was for sale. Having Town of Calgary’s first initiative to create a
ment granted the Town the chosen site for
pre-determined its suitability for grave public park was a petition to the Minister of
use as a cemetery. By fall of 1888, it was
excavation, the Town went on to purchase the Interior in 1887 requesting title to three
clear the site was ill-suited for that purpose.
the land from Augustus Carney for $70 an of the largest Bow River islands within
The clay-based earth and stony subsoil made
acre. Carney would remain in his house for town limits.
hand-digging graves an impossibly arduous
task. There was no way around it. A new some time after the sale. He served as the
William Pearce once again proved a strong
cemetery would need to be found and when cemetery’s first caretaker until the Parks and
advocate on behalf of Calgary. He proposed
it was, the interred remains here would have Cemeteries Committee appeared in 1892 to
the Town take ownership of the islands with
to be moved there. assume the responsibility of managing what
the condition they be used exclusively for
became known as Union Cemetery.
22 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 23Calgary’s station garden was strategically
located immediately north of the railway; right around
where the Calgary Tower stands today.
While the original request was being gardens showed travellers first hand what
island for St. George, the centre island incidents, like a Town official’s decision to
considered, the Society found a better fine things are possible on the prairies.
for St. Andrew, and the upper island for chop down island trees, to be reprehensible.
location for an exhibition site; Crown land
St. Patrick. He called attention to the risk of subjecting Calgary’s station garden was strategically
just north of the Elbow River. In early 1889,
Calgary’s parks and cemetery assets to the located immediately north of the railway;
While the Town saw the value in the island the federal government agreed to sell these
whims of a fresh chairman of the Parks right around where the Calgary Tower
parks, by 1893 its investment in their 94 acres of land at a total cost of $235.
and Cemeteries Committee each year. He stands today. Newcomers in town, and
beautification had been minimal. Instead, argued it would be better to place parks In 1896, the debt-ridden Society sold the visitors travelling through, couldn’t miss it.
its priority was to connect the islands, and and cemeteries in the hands of a responsible property to R.B. Bennett, a Calgary lawyer
more specifically – St. George’s Island – to Parks Board. The CPR saw to the design and planting of below CPR Park,
and the future prime minister of Canada.
the mainland, and thereby, the public to the garden and the Town agreed to water Station Garden, c 1900s.
Five years later, in 1901, Bennett sold it to
the parks. A ferry was designed, staffed and Individual agendas weren’t the only thing and maintain it.
The City of Calgary for $7,000. The property historic postcard courtesy mr. roe.
swept away by the river – twice. A bridge influencing Calgary’s future. In the heart was renamed Victoria Park, and over the
was the obvious and more expensive choice, of cattle country, Calgary’s agricultural next several years, would provide exhibition
though the structure wouldn’t actually roots run deep. By 1884, Samuel Livingston grounds and Calgary’s only athletic park.
materialize until 15 years later. was already well known for his farming Victoria Park would eventually go on to house
w St. George’s
The diversion of attention, and funds, did success. In June of that year, he got together “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth” — the
Bridge, Calgary, AB.,
not please William Pearce who maintained with other area farmers and businessmen, Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.
a strong personal interest in the beauti- including Colonel James Walker, George
King, Augustus Carney and James Around the same time the Calgary and
fication of the island parks. He saw random
District Agricultural Society secured its
chives na-2114-4
Fitzgerald to organize the Calgary and
District Agricultural Society. piece of Calgary, the Canadian Pacific
Railway developed one of theirs. In 1889,
Their objective was to promote the Alberta Divisional Superintendent John
agricultural potential of Calgary and area, Niblock designated a block of CPR land
within town and nationwide, with an annual for the development of a station garden,
fall fair, entries in agricultural fairs across the likes of which had started blooming
the country, and publications proclaiming elsewhere in the western provinces with
the fertility of Alberta’s soil. considerable success.
The Society needed land to host their annual These station gardens were designed as a
exhibition, and petitioned the federal marketing showpiece, exemplifying the
government for free land accordingly. fertility and versatility of the region for
the benefit of those travelling by rail. The
24 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 25Appearances aside, everything with the Roughly 20 years later, that property
CPR and the Town of Calgary wasn’t all would be transformed into one of Calgary’s
marigolds and roses in the late 1880s. favourite gathering places — Central
The CPR was amassing a substantial debt (Memorial) Park. It is the first example of
to the Town of Calgary in the form of land acquisition for non-payment of taxes
unpaid property taxes, and the growing in Calgary.
e White spruce tree municipality desperately needed the railway
to pay up. In addition to the development of a few
select parks and the designation of land as
It was a familiar story clear across the future parks, the Town of Calgary and its
nation. The CPR was just getting their citizens became avid tree planters in the
railroad going and they were getting ham- early years.
mered with expenses. The company had
stockpiled an incredible inventory of land The environmental benefits of planting trees
as a speculative investment, and now every were the subject of considerable discussion
fledgling town along the tracks had its hand throughout North America in the 1880s.
out for tax money. The railroad wanted But for Calgarians living in this essentially
special concessions and was refusing, in treeless, wind-swept landscape, aesthetics
many cases, to pay. was likely as much of a motivator as
anything else.
With its own start-up expenses growing,
the Town of Calgary had no choice but to Beginning with The City of Calgary’s incorp-
sue the CPR for back taxes. Probably every oration in May 1894, and continuing on at
small town along the rail was thinking various times through the spring of 1905,
about doing the same thing. In 1888-1889, The City distributed spruce trees to tax-
the CPR sat down with its lawyers and payers upon request for a small fee. Calgary’s The success of the tree planting program and 1892, with an ambitious plan to redirect above (top-bottom, left-right)
drafted up a deal. They offered to turn over backyards were starting to green up. the general transformation of the Calgary water from the Elbow River via a lengthy Photographs and
half the property taxes owing Calgary, and landscape was dependent on providing water. system of canals and flumes, or channels, to postcard of Central Park
In 1895, The City introduced a boulevard
some land, at a reduced price. The mid-1890s were marked by a period of promote mixed farming and forestry in the (now Central Memorial
tree-planting program that saw trees going
drought. Without proper irrigation, nothing region. It was controversial, to say the least. Park), Calgary, AB.,
The one stipulation the CPR added to the in along Calgary’s main roads. The co-ord-
in the way of vegetation would thrive. Pearce was accused of using his influence
1908, 1930s, 1914.
deal was that the land could not be resold inated effort between The City and its citizens
Enter William Pearce, again. He had with the federal government to gain privi-
planted the seeds for Calgary’s urban forest.
historic postcard courtesy of mr. roe.
and the Town had to use it as a park. started the Calgary Irrigation Company in
glenbow archives nA-1604-115
leges others felt they were being denied. glenbow archives nd-8-481
26 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 27The Pearce Estate became western Canada’s
first experimental irrigation farm;
an oasis of sorts in the midst of the prairie.
The Feds were in the process of drafting the Today, the Pearce Estate has another life as
North West Irrigation Act at the time, and home to the environmental Pearce Estate
Pearce was in fact following the rules to the Park Interpretive Wetland project and the
letter. Of course, if you help write the rules, Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery.
you know what they are.
Around the turn of the century, the mood
Then, just as the battle for irrigation was in Calgary was shifting from tentative
getting really heated, it started to rain. to confident. The Grand Trunk Pacific
Pearce hadn’t seen that coming. The drought and Canadian Northern railways arrived
ended at the turn of the century and the and stirred up a new wave of interest
actual influence of the Calgary Irrigation and investment. As the city’s population
Company proved modest. The Pearce Estate increased, so did land values and the number
became western Canada’s first experimental of subdivisions. And with the promise of
irrigation farm; an oasis of sorts in the midst prosperity came an increased level of public
of the prairie. And despite appearances, expectation.
w William Pearce his efforts weren’t entirely self-serving. above Pearce Estate
Calgary AB.,
The federal government’s Forestry Branch Calgary’s civic leaders responded by exten- Park, 2010. left House
s.
credits Pearce with having established the ding the township limits and investing in at William Pearce Estate,
chives na-3898-5 first tree farm in Western Canada. necessary infrastructure including water, c 1890s.
sewer, and electric systems, a street railway, photo: the city of calgary
and parks. They pictured a conscious trans- glenbow archives na-3898-2
formation: the creation of a “Greater
Calgary,” a more desirable and beautiful
place to live. A general interest in parks
and recreation, including everything from
public gardens, children’s playgrounds,
athletic fields and amusement parks to
zoological displays and agricultural exhibi-
tions, was integral to that vision.
The sense of optimism in Calgary was
tangible. In the spring of 1906, taxpayers
were so convinced of Calgary’s potential as a
28 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k sThe Calgary Horticultural Society
encouraged citizens to improve their individual
properties, and assisted them in doing so.
place of beauty and civic pride they voted in in favour of contracting the work out to a Its purpose was clear and steady: to Parks Board to formally oversee the future
favour of a new bylaw that would raise and professional, that City engineer conceded he promote the inherent growing potential of Calgary’s parks and cemeteries with
invest $23,000 for parks. could and would draw up the plans himself. of the region and, in so doing, ensure the A.M. Terrill appointed chairman. It wasn’t
development and prosperity of a great city. the first time the suggestion had come up,
It was a substantial coup for Chairman After much debate, Hunt proved convincing The Society hosted an annual flower show, but it was the first time Council acted on it.
Hunt and the Parks and Cemeteries Com- and Frederick Todd was awarded the presented model gardens and published
mittee. The Parks operating budget for contract as Calgary’s first landscape archi- articles and later books to educate and inspire By June, the Board had drafted a bylaw
1906 had been a meagre $2,858. That paid tectural consultant. The park was to be citizens. A.M. Terrill, one of the founding that provided for a Parks Board of five
for caretaker wages, regular maintenance called “Mewata,” a Cree word meaning “be members, owned and operated Calgary’s commissioners who would, among other
and little else. Here was an opportunity, joyous,” and it was to be beautiful. first greenhouse and florist shop. That was things, have the authority to establish a
the first of its kind really, to transform the in addition to his role as both alderman budget and appoint a Parks superintendent
long-neglected piece of parkland along But in early 1907, Chairman Hunt left
and chairman of the Parks and Cemeteries to manage day-to-day park development
the Bow River on the far west end of town Calgary rather abruptly, and with him went
Committee. His business connections were and operations.
e Mewata Park, into something special. the impetus to develop Mewata Park and the
viewed as an asset rather than a conflict of
focus on horticulture in park development. The bylaw brought the administration of
interest and so he too garnered a certain
Hunt had his own vision of what that parks, cemeteries and boulevards under
chives na-1604-68
The Administration promptly cancelled level of public recognition and respect.
might entail, but to ensure the best possible one authority and positioned the Parks
result, and to his credit, he recommended Todd’s contract, and the Parks and
And by 1909, William Reader, the personal Board to effectively direct the growth of
the Town hire a professional landscape Cemeteries Committee shifted its attention,
gardener for local cattle king Pat Burns, was parkland and playgrounds and, in concert
architect to create a master plan. and funds, to various construction projects.
contributing regular articles on the subject with the Calgary Horticultural Society,
These included the redevelopment of
of local gardening and speaking on behalf of spearhead the beautification of the town.
The clear choice in Hunt’s mind was Victoria Park as a proper exhibition space
Frederick Todd, a renowned American for agricultural fairs and various live-stock the Horticultural Society. left William Reader
landscape architect from Montreal and the associations with a grandstand, adminis- representing the Horti-
The Calgary Horticultural Society encour-
designer behind that city’s Mount Royal tration buildings and such; building a cultural Society, Calgary,
aged citizens to improve their individual
Park. Calgary would surely benefit from bridge to St. George’s Island; and making AB., c 1910s.
properties, and assisted them in doing so.
bringing in his skills, and his reputation. general improvements at Union Cemetery. glenbow archives na-1604-55
But, according to the Herald, if Calgary was
But Calgary’s civic leadership neither As The City went about single-mindedly to blossom into a truly great city, the civic
understood nor particularly respected the planting mainly hard infrastructure at leadership would need to embrace the same
discipline of landscape architecture at the various park locations during 1907–1908, objective for the town as a whole.
time. One alderman suggested The City six local businessmen joined forces to plant
By the end of February 1909, the Society
engineer was every bit as capable of doing flowers. The Calgary Horticultural Society
had persuaded City Council to create a
the work. And, although he was himself formed in the spring of 1908.
30 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 31age Parade,
y, 1905.
chives na-1497-9
c h a pt e r t wo
The seeds of promise
1910 –1946
32 33Calgary’s pre-war parks system
this page City Hall
Landscape Plan, c 1930s.
plan: the city of calgary parks.
C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 352 The seeds of promise
Buchanan was confident in his knowledge of botany and professed to be an
excellent public speaker. Deemed the perfect candidate, his skill set would
be put to work designing a parks system, cultivating public interest in park
development, promoting public education around the proper care and value
910 –1946
of parks, and hopefully, generating public funding
to make it all happen.
y the beginning of 1910, the To some extent, public interest was already
sense of absolute confidence in evident. Wealthy private citizens were
Calgary’s future as a western dedicating substantial tracks of land to the
metropolis made planning expansion of The City’s parks inventory. In
for that future a meaningful February of 1910, Ezra Hounsfield Riley
exercise. Park development was seen as donated 20 acres of his land in Hillhurst for
integral to the city’s success, not optional. park purposes. In October, James Shouldice
transferred 100 acres of his land along the
After a substantial hiccup caused by the Bow River to The City with the stipulation
resignation of the Board chairman at the end it be used for games, sports and other
of its first year, J.S. MacDonald stepped into such recreational activities. Including the
the chairman’s shoes and the Board followed site of the town’s original failed cemetery
through with its first priority, which was which was officially transferred from the
to hire a Parks superintendent to design federal government in March and named
and lay out a parks system for Calgary. Shaganappi Park, the total parks inventory
would exceed 300 acres by year-end.
It was a monumental decision signalling the
official birth of The City of Calgary Parks. But land ownership and park stewardship
are not the same thing. Without adequate
John Buchanan of Guelph, Ontario, was the budget money, the parks system designed
man for the job. Well-read on the subject by Buchanan, and all that parkland could
of landscape gardening, Buchanan was not be developed. The Board knew that, and
confident in his knowledge of botany and Buchanan knew it too.
professed to be an excellent public speaker.
Deemed the perfect candidate, his skill set So with the Board’s blessing, Buchanan ABOVE
would be put to work designing a parks proposed a budget of $100,000 to finance Ezra Hounsfield Riley,
system, cultivating public interest in park immediate and much-needed improvements c 1900s and John Buchanan,
development, promoting public education to the island parks, Union Cemetery, c 1900s.
this page Women around the proper care and value of parks, Mewata, Central and Riley parks and he Glenbow archives M-8375-16-4
Photo of john buchanan: University
playing cricket at Riley Park, and hopefully, generating public funding drafted a bylaw to that effect. of guelph.
Calgary, AB., 1921. to make it all happen.
Glenbow archives na-2393-1
36 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 37Alberta Display http://asalive.archivesalberta.org:8080/?proc=display&sess=ASALIVE-4...
Planting shade trees along streets and boulevards, introducing a variety
of new tree and shrub species, protecting young trees from the damaging
Help Feedback Home chinook winds by wrapping them in burlap, even dynamiting the hardpan
Photo Search => View =>earth to=>loosen
Results Item the soil and make planting easier; these were some of the
Alberta InSight solutions Iverson had in mind.
7Previous Entry
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Buchanan
Title:
then Portrait
met of Richard
with Iverson
the I verson was described as a man of marked left (top) Tree lined
editors
Fonds title: of the Herald to obtain ability
City of Calgary. Parks & Recreation who had
Department studied forestry and park
fonds
streets, looking East on
public
Dates: support. Despite
n.d. a valiant work at the University of Berlin where 13th Avenue, c 1920s.
effort Description:
Physical and numerous editorials
1 photograph: b&w; 20cm x 13cm he graduated with the highest honours. Historic postcard courtsey of mr. roe.
praising the medical
Description: The item benefits
consists of aof Following
photograph of Richard graduation,
Iverson he worked in the bottom Superintendent’s
Repository:
recreation, fresh Cityair ofand breathing
Calgary, German
Corporate Records, Imperial Gardens and became
Archives house at Union Cemetery,
Names: Parks and Recreation Department, City of Calgary, Alberta
spaces (typhoid fever was
Iverson, Richard
in town), a personal favourite of Kaiser Wilhelm, c 1911.
and despite
Subjects: a series of public meet-
Municipal governments - Employeesapparently on account of his energy photo: the city of calgary parks
ings to discuss itsClothing
merits, the bylaw
- Men's and ability.
Topics: Politics and Government
was narrowly defeated.
Standard number: CR92-049 ; CalA CR-92-049-010 Iverson arrived during an April snowstorm
And apparently, so was Buchanan. and his initial impression of Calgary was
Although he loved his job, upon not good. He wasn’t a quitter though
submitting his first and only annual (a fact that would become painfully clear
report to the Board in January 1911, later on), and soon warmed up to the idea
E Portrait of Buchanan resigned from his position as Parks that, with his extensive knowledge and
d Iverson, a German superintendent and left Calgary, forever. refined skills, he could greatly improve the
, self-professed existing situation.
ape artist, this
download c 1910s. The good people on the Parks Board started
information.
searching far and wide for a new Parks Planting shade trees along streets and
And Iverson benefited from the passage of together contributed $161,000 to Parks’
calgary corporate records,
superintendent. They placed ads in various boulevards, introducing a variety of new
alA CR-92-049-10
Software copyright © 1998-2010 Cinemage Software LP. All rights reserved.
a bylaw in May 1911, right after his arrival, operating budget. It was much needed
newspapers
Click for content copyright information. out east and into the United tree and shrub species, protecting young
followed by another the next year that funding and Iverson didn’t waste any time
States. Local gardener William Reader trees from the damaging chinook winds by
spending it. Iverson had plenty of his own
applied for the job, but his application didn’t wrapping them in burlap, even dynamiting
ideas about what needed to be done with res-
garner any attention. the hardpan earth to loosen the soil and
pect to the development of Calgary’s parks
make planting easier; these were some of the
The Board was looking for a superstar; and parkland. And he didn’t even pretend to
solutions Iverson had in mind.
someone who would add instant credi- care if he had consensus moving forward.
bility and status to Calgary’s Parks depart- Challenges aside, there were a few key logis-
While his list of accomplishments would
ment. They thought they found one in tical issues that Iverson would not have to
grow to be quite impressive — everything
Richard Iverson, a German trained, self- contend with in his position. He got the keys
from landscaping plans for Union Cemetery
professed landscape artist. to the newly constructed Parks superinten-
(complete with an expensive entrance
dent’s residence at Union Cemetery, for one.
38 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 39
2/15/2010 7:47 PMAt the same time, the inventory of City-owned
parkland was expanding exponentially as promoters of land
subdivisions proposed to exchange property for access
to City infrastructure.
archway), and Riley Park (with a picket potato incident. The investigation concluded left (top) Marketing
fence and two costly entrances), a tree however, that though he was a first-class sketch for Tuxedo Park,
nursery on St. Patrick’s Island and Calgary’s technical expert, he was a poor choice for c 1911. left opposite
(bottom) Calgary
first playground installation on St. George’s an administrator. It was recommended he
Horticultural Display,
Island, to the design and development of a be relieved of his administrative responsi-
c 1913.
formal Victorian garden at Central Park bilities immediately.
(with a statue, fountains and a magnificent
GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-2472-1
GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-1604-96
bandstand fit for royalty) — his utter True to form, Iverson refused to quit. And
disregard for the opinion of others put though City Council asked the Parks Board
him in a bad way from the beginning, and to fire him, the Board flat out refused.
without a doubt, limited his influence on After a year-long stalemate between the
Calgary’s parks in the end. three bodies of power, the Parks Board was
abolished in March 1913, and Iverson was
Within a couple months of his arrival paid $500 to submit his resignation.
Iverson had managed to alienate the
Calgary Horticultural Society, which began The real cost of the Iverson fiasco was yet
campaigning for his removal immediately. to be determined. Parks had neglected its
By spring of 1912, he had lost the confi- responsibilities during the controversy and
dence of a couple members of Council public support for parks inevitably lost some
who complained that he had failed to ground as well.
competently administer the parks program,
with the result that projects were incomplete
and over budget. Throughout Iverson’s contentious term At the same time, the inventory of City-
as Parks superintendent, Calgary kept owned parkland was expanding expo-
Allegations of incompetence were joined growing. The general beautification of the nentially as promoters of land subdivisions
by that of ethical misconduct when, during city through boulevard construction and proposed to exchange property for access
a general audit of all City departments, one tree planting continued, but staff struggled to City infrastructure. Requests for access
alderman reported the suspicious delivery of to keep pace with growth. New streets were to The City’s waterworks system came to be
12, two-horse loads of potatoes to the Parks springing up everywhere, as were conflicts expected. Extensions to the street railway
superintendent’s residence. with other City departments that managed system became a popular request.
water, sewer and gas connections buried
A formal inquiry ultimately cleared Iverson under planted boulevards. Tuxedo and Bowness parks are two of the
of any wrongdoing with respect to the more notable examples of land that came
40 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 41Bowness Park holds a special place inCalgary’s park history, its cultural
landscape, and in the hearts of Calgarians. Its picturesque natural setting along
the Bow River on the outskirts of town made it a classic example of the
kind of “pleasure grounds” enjoyed by city folk in the early 1900s.
into Parks’ inventory through this type of In December 1911, the Town Planning His flawless track record as secretary and superintendent’s residence with The City’s
exchange in 1911-1912. Both would take Commission formed. Its mandate was to speaker for the Calgary Horticultural blessing, on a permanent basis.
several years to be fully developed due to a plan for parks, boulevards and the like, Society could have spoken to his passion,
simple lack of resources. city-wide and far into the future. This arm’s his administrative talents, his attention to It was not to be an easy tenure. Economic
length group of citizens would contract a detail, his eloquence, and a proven ability crises, environmental extremes and two
Bowness Park holds a special place in town planning consultant from the British to play nicely with others in the sandbox. world wars; this was the context for Reader’s
Calgary’s park history, its cultural land- Empire named Thomas Mawson. His job career with Parks. The optimistic bubble
scape, and in the hearts of Calgarians. Its was to create a plan for a greater Calgary, On April 1, 1913, Reader was appointed over Calgary had developed a slow leak.
picturesque natural setting along the Bow and though truly inspirational in its vision Parks superintendent on an interim basis. Social needs would start to attract serious
River on the outskirts of town made it a of an “open space” parks system with “linear Three months later he moved into the Parks consideration.
classic example of the kind of “pleasure parks” and “pathway connectivity,” the
grounds” enjoyed by city folk in the early Mawson Plan of 1914 had not anticipated left John Hextall with
E William Reader. 1900s. The streetcar was extended west to the social and economic challenges of the City officials at Bowness
il 1, 1913, Reader encourage public access. The lagoon made First World War. Through no fault of its Park, 1911.
pointed Parks for a popular swimming hole in the summer own, the Mawson Plan would be shelved GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-3496-16
tendent, c 1930s and an equally popular skating rink in the even before it was completed.
CHIVES NA-789-125 colder months. Visitors enjoyed amusement
park rides and music, broadcast through When Council disbanded the Parks Board
an electronic phonograph connected to in 1913, Calgary’s third Parks superin-
loudspeakers on the lagoon. Music remains tendent, William R. Reader took control.
a nostalgic part of the skating experience
there to this day. William Roland Reader was a gardener
before all else. His expertise in horticulture
As park development and boulevard plant- was a matter of great personal pride;
ing continued to lag further and further the product of many years of hands-on
behind the city’s growth under the direction experience and experimentation in private
of the Parks Board, our old friend William estate gardens such as that of Patrick Burns.
Pearce began meeting with the Calgary
Horticultural Society. They discussed the Reader’s original application for the position
need for a master plan for parks and the of Parks superintendent in 1911 made no
creation of a new institution that would be reference to his qualifications in landscape
more effective in dealing with some of the architecture or public speaking, which may
long-term planning questions and issues have been why he was overlooked at the time.
around parks.
42 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 43left Swimming at
Bowness Park c 1930.
GLENBOW ARCHIVES ND-8-337.
44 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 45The Vacant Lots Garden Club pioneered what we call the
“broken window” theory back in 1914 with its civic beautification
initiative. The objective was to encourage individuals who owned
vacant lots to cultivate and transform them into fertile garden plots.
The challenges started almost immediately major cause for applause because it meant
with the collapse of Calgary’s real estate that Calgary would never be in the position
boom and a dramatic drop in economic that other big cities found themselves in,
activity. For Parks it meant an uncertain where population growth out-paced the
operating budget and the apparent end to existing park system.
the acquisition of parkland through private
donations. Ironically, the development of The property we now know as Woods
Calgary’s parks system would benefit in Memorial Park came to be in The City’s
the end. possession as a result of the new policy in
1922. It was one of several prime locations
Reader had always seen the acquired around the same time, including
value of boulevards, parks land for parks in Crescent Heights, Mount
and playgrounds as influen- Pleasant, Killarney, Glengarry, Capitol Hill,
left A Vacant Lots
ced by their dependence on Rosedale, Stanley Park, East Calgary, the
Garden Club garden,
one another and their Millican Estate, Bankview, West Calgary and
c 1920s.
distribution throughout the South Mount Royal. Reader transformed
GLENBOW ARCHIVES NA-1604-85
city. The collapse of the the respective parcels into priceless orna-
real estate economy meant mental gems. individuals who owned vacant lots to The garden dates back to the late 1920s
The City was acquiring a cultivate and transform them into fertile and continues to grow produce and comm-
massive amount of land Reader also developed a network of smaller garden plots. The City would help prep the unity pride.
through tax sales; land in ornamental parks using plots of land left over soil for planting and provide free seed. Free
neighbourhoods all around after laying out the street system. These small of weeds and garbage, the gardens would Reader took great pride in a little garden of
town. Here was an oppor- plots included traffic circles, street ends produce vegetables or flowers and contribute his own; an oasis of sorts that he called the
tunity for The City to develop and islands in the middle of crescents. If he to the nourishment and overall aesthetics, “rockery” on the steep north slope of Union
a comprehensive network of could plant it, Reader would work to make it and pride of the community as a whole. Cemetery and the grounds of his official
parks, pathways and play- beautiful. If it was beautiful, people would residence as Parks superintendent.
grounds city-wide. It was value, and by extension, respect it in their Participation in the program peaked in
community. 1943, the year following Reader’s retire- The creation of this cascading rock garden
a dream situation for the
ment. At that time, 3,229 of these garden was a personal passion that consumed a
Parks superintendent really.
The Vacant Lots Garden Club pioneered lots blossomed across Calgary. great deal of Reader’s spare time from
E Canoeing in the In 1922, The City’s administration embra- what we call the “broken window” theory 1922–1929 as he continued to experiment
channel at Bowness ced Reader’s suggestion and adopted a back in 1914 with its civic beautification The Bridgeland-Riverside Vacant Lots with seeds, plant species and placement in
1930. policy for reserving land for parks. It was a initiative. The objective was to encourage Garden is the last of its kind in Calgary. the local clime. And though he put so much
CHIVES NA-1604-66
46 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 47Reader Rock Garden is now
one of Calgary’s most special settings and is designated
as a Provincial Historic Resource.
Visitors are welcome any time, as it should be.
of himself into its being, Reader always a progressive public education program was left William Reader’s
remained adamant that it was a public inseparable from public welfare. Tree-lined house and garden, c 1930s.
garden and meant to be shared. boulevards and beautiful parks added to the City of Calgary Archives na-1604-102
the value of adjacent property and bolstered
Many decades of neglect following Reader’s civic pride. Parks themselves expanded the
1942 retirement, and then his death the very opportunity for comfort and pleasure. They
next year, saw the garden all but disappear invited participation and raised the level
beneath a steady growth of grass and weed. of individual and community well being.
Then, in 2004, Parks deemed the cultural Parks were always about and for the people.
landscape worthy of historical restoration.
In the fall of 1913, Reader introduced skating
Reader Rock Garden is now one of Calgary’s
rinks in Mewata, Hillhurst and Victoria
most special settings and is designated as a
parks. It was the start of a comprehensive
Provincial Historic Resource. Visitors are
recreational program that encouraged
welcome any time, as it should be.
w William Reader in citizens to make full use of the parks. Fresh
ckery, c 1920s.
Reader always thought of parks in terms of air, exercise and enjoyment were wholesome
chives Na-1604-101 their inherent value to society. He believed therefore recreation ought to be promoted.
But money was tight and
options limited. In the early
summer of 1914, The City
identified a suitable location
for swimming in the Elbow
River. It cleared debris,
roped off the deeper, more
dangerous areas and provided
his and her dressing rooms
for public enjoyment. It was
a popular public venue and
if there had been money in
the budget, Reader, who
was an active member of the
48 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 49The Zoo on St. George’s Island was another of Reader’s
great successes. By the mid-1920s, the animal attraction was
drawing record numbers of people to the island, and that, in
Reader’s mind, was the true measure of success. Anything that
got people out to the parks was good.
Calgary Swimming Club, would have liked Playgrounds were another component of The Zoo on St. George’s Island was another It also included redesigning
to do more. Reader’s overall focus on recreation. The of Reader’s great successes. By the mid- Central Park to accommodate the
one Iverson had installed on St. George’s 1920s, the animal attraction was drawing cenotaph, removing the band-
As it was, Calgarians would have to be Island just wasn’t cutting it. In 1916, record numbers of people to the island, and stand, and renaming the site
content swimming for free at a few choice Reader’s staff installed a number of swings, that, in Reader’s mind, was the true measure Central Memorial Park in 1928.
locations along the Bow and Elbow rivers, sand pits and teeter-totters at various of success. Anything that got people out
at the lagoon in Bowness Park, or paying parks around town. But bullying turned to the parks was good. The fact the Zoo In 1922, Parks expanded its
at private facilities such as the YMCA into a problem and formal supervision, generated revenue to help sustain itself cemetery system, adding Burns-
and YWCA, until 1941. That’s when The though deemed necessary, proved cost made it just that much better. land Cemetery and reserving
City built its first pool at Mewata Park. prohibitive. If the public wanted to play, the 200 plots in Union Cemetery
community would have to step up and help. Despite his focus on leisure and recreation, for the burial of ex-service men.
In 1915, Reader developed the first City- Reader’s tenure as Parks superintendent In 1930, the cemetery system
owned golf course on the site of the original And it did. In 1917, Reader worked with was definitely not all fun and games. The expanded again to include a new
w Maude Riley and west end cemetery. Shaganappi Golf Course citizen Maude Riley to establish the Calgary war years, and those in-between, had Parks St. Mary’s Cemetery, and then
n, c 1950-1955. provided the public nine holes of undulating Playground Association, which in turn scrambling for budget money and staff, again in 1940, with Queens
chives: pa-3647-4 greens and a panoramic view to die for. received limited City funding for summer re-examining its role and redefining the Park Cemetery which included
playground supervision. The arrangement use of some of its parkland. Mewata Park Chinese, Jewish and Catholic
continued through to 1922 when Reader was commandeered for exclusive military sections along with a Field
finally got the budget to hire playground use and military teams made extensive of Honour.
program staff. use of others, including Riley Park. Key above A kangaroo at the
staff volunteered for military service. The In 1940, the department hired Richard Calgary Zoo, c 1920s.
The Parks department also provided situation was often challenging. Haughian as a playground supervisor to Glenbow archives na-1604-92
facilities for various athletic leagues, namely, assist Reader with the administration of
The City-owned athletic fields at Victoria, Parks inherited the honour and respon- the rapidly expanding City recreation
Mewata and Riley parks. These facilities sibility of commemorating the participation programs. This addition of staff suggested
became even more important to Reader after and sacrifices of Calgarians in the First the Administration finally recognized
the First World War. In 1919, Parks invested World War. These efforts included working demand for City recreation programs
in upgrades at two of them. Mewata Park with various community members from was great — and growing. It was a major
benefited from a new grandstand, and cricket 1922–1928 to plant boulevards along what breakthrough from Reader’s perspective,
players in Riley Park reaped the benefit of is now Memorial Drive with a living legacy and though it was a long time coming, it
two new pitches there. Later, in 1930, the of more than 3,000 trees. would prove short-lived.
addition of a stadium in Mewata Park made it
the city’s centre for organized sporting events.
50 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 51In the fall of 1942, Reader retired from left Zoo on the grounds
The City, Haughian enlisted in the army of St. George’s Island,
and Parks was left seriously understaffed. c 1944.
Reader’s successor, Arthur Morris, concen- Glenbow Archives na-5643-172b
trated on the traditional role of horticulture
in park development while everyone waited
for the end of the Second World War.
The result was a recreation crisis in Calgary,
prompting the Council of Social Agencies
(a group created in the early 1930s to co-
ordinate the various social agencies and
ensure the efficient distribution of relief
efforts), to conduct a survey on the city’s
recreational needs and the level at which
they were being met.
It was essentially a citizen satisfaction
survey on quality of life, and Calgary failed
miserably. In its 1945 report, the group
made a number of suggestions for immedi-
ate consideration, including creating a
pathway system between parks, providing
Arthur Morris concentrated on amenities along the riverbanks, and sugg-
the traditional role of horticulture in park esting the creation of an entirely separate
development while everyone waited for recreation department. The City took the
the end of the Second World War. report very seriously.
52 C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s C a l g a r y C e l e b r at i n g 100 y e a r s o f p a r k s 53You can also read
