Categories: Travel

This Calgary park is an incredible collaboration of water resources and public art

Photo via O2 Planning and Design Inc.

Once upon a time, there was a contaminated gravel pit in northwest Calgary. However, it was bursting with potential.

When the City of Calgary realized it could be an opportunity to address the stormwater pipes carrying untreated water into the Bow River, they collaborated with Parks, Water Resources, and Public Art to create a park that was valuable in more ways than one.

And so, in 2010, an investment was made, and what would eventually become Dale Hodges Park was born.

When natural and artificial meet

Named after former Calgary Alderman Dale Hodges, the park is located along the northern bank of the Bow River adjacent to Bowmont Park. When first building the park over a decade ago, the City of Calgary prioritized restoring the ecological integrity of the area while enhancing the park’s recreational and educational value.

The stormwater system in the park was designed by an artist team called Sans façon, which worked with engineers, landscape architects, and consultants. The result was a unique and engaging space that treats runoff from rain or melting snow from nearby communities before it enters the Bow River.

Photo via the City of Calgary

Not only does the treatment system reduce sediment in stormwater by an estimated 50 per cent, but it also aims to give Calgarians a deeper understanding of how natural and manufactured systems can interact.

The project has received multiple local and national awards for its innovative approach to merging stormwater management, public art, and public spaces.

Along with wetlands, wildlife, and the stormwater pond, Dale Hodges Park contains trails for cycling and walking, lookout points, and a boardwalk, making it an idyllic place to roam around, stop for a picnic, and enjoy the natural — and not so natural — wonders of Calgary.