Categories: Travel

The history behind Calgary’s beloved Nose Hill Park

Photo via the Alberta Wilderness Association

In the northwest part of Calgary lies Nose Hill Natural Environment Park, a sprawling landscape of eleven kilometres surrounded by 12 residential communities. Loved for its numerous hiking trails and dedicated off-leash areas, Nose Hill Park has been an outdoor staple for Calgarians since its creation in 1980.

However, the history of the area goes far beyond the park’s official opening. The park contains stone circles and significant archaeological sites, signifying its use for sacred ceremonies and burials. In the late 1800s, European colonizers began using the area for farming and ranching.

What almost was

In 1976, the City Council’s Nose Hill Park Design Brief reduced the established size of the park from 4000 acres to 2600 acres in order to develop the subdivision of Edgemont and complete Shaganappi Trail.

Meanwhile, Hartel Holdings wanted to purchase a holding on the hill, which would involve zoning reclassification to support residential development. A group of more than 5,000 citizens marched along John Laurie Boulevard before the corresponding council meeting in support of Nose Hill remaining a park, and their vigorous action would go on to save the land that makes up the beautiful park we know today.

Nose Hill is one of the only remaining examples of the high plains that once covered Calgary. The valleys throughout are an example of ancient rivers and glaciers whose runoff eroded the landscape. Aspen and willow trees line the north-facing slopes and are home to procupiones, pocket gophers, ground squirrels, deer, coyotes, and other smaller critters.

The area is also home to an abundance of fescue grass. Not only is fescue Alberta’s provincial grass, but it’s also an endangered prairie species. Only 5 per cent of Alberta’s fescue grassland remains, which proves just how important Nose Hill is in conserving our local ecosystem.

This spring and summer, take the opportunity to visit Calgary’s largest natural environment. After all, thousands of people lobbied for you to have such an opportunity.