IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Spruce Cliff values being a safe, beautiful, active and accessible neighbourhood.

Residents outlined what was important to them, focusing on the themes of people, places, programs and possibilities. The City then worked with residents to identify projects that would support the vision and be possible in their neighbourhood, and then residents prioritized the projects. Neighbours will get to know one another better through new gathering spaces, activities and events. There will be an increase sense of safety, thanks to a new partnership with the Calgary Police and residents in Spruce Cliff. The Community Association will be able to better communicate with residents about events, programs and services in the neighbourhood.

The following is a summary of programs, services and/or small-scale infrastructure improvements that The City of Calgary will implement in partnership with residents of Spruce Cliff.

Improvement Project Project Details Target Completion Date
Public Art An artist would work with the community to develop public art such as a mural, flags and banners or utility box painting. Summer 2018
Please note: Public Art projects are on hold until a corporate direction is confirmed.
Wildflower Playground Improvement Providing accessible recreational equipment and opportunities to all residents contributes to an active, playful community. Summer 2018
This project is dependent on feasibility study and timelines.
Outdoor Gathering Space Which may include benches, fit park or community garden. Well-planned gathering spaces encourage people to come together and enjoy community life. Fall 2018
This project is dependent on feasibility study and timelines.
Community Open House Day Learn about various programs and services, Fair Entry and other initiatives and events in the community. Summer 2018
Increase Programming More Programming opportunities such as basketball, ESL, and gardening. Summer 2018
Community Speed Watch program along Spruce Drive Residents would work with Calgary Police Service to monitor vehicle speeds using radar or laser and encourage good driving. Summer 2018
Safety Initiatives A safety education workshop and/or campaign provided by the Calgary Police Services, Calgary Community Standards and Calgary Fire Department that builds community awareness around home and public safety, as well as addressing crime reporting challenges. Summer 2018
Community Communication Plan The development of a communication plan for the neighbourhood will allows for residents to be better informed and engaged. This can result in more connections between the community association and residents for better delivery of programs and services. Winter 2018
Subject to the commitment from the Community Association to support the development and implementation of the plan.
Night Walk Evening pedestrian safety activities, including night walks with Calgary Police, Bylaw Officers and Transit Staff. TBA
More benches at bus stops Several bus stops will receive additional benches. TBA

INITIATIVES IN PROGRESS

Below is a list of projects that residents mentioned to us, some are currently underway and fit within your neighbourhood vision some are not possible for The City to do as part of this program and we want to tell you why.

Indoor evening programming - In a collaboration with Bow Cliff Seniors and Spruce Cliff Community Association the City is helping them generate an indoor evening gathering space with programming for adults (e.g. meditation, walking, stretching, Hatha yoga, painting, Tai Chi).

Supporting affordable access to programs - The City is connecting with Bow Cliff Seniors, Spruce Cliff Community Association and Calgary Lawn Bowling Club to explore a Fee Assistance program partnership.

We also heard the following were identified as a priority for your neighbourhood, however these are out of scope for This is my neighbourhood:

Additonal snow shoveling along Spruce Dr. - Calgary Parks clears the west sidewalk between 8th Ave SW & Hemlock Cres. The City of Calgary Pathway snow clearing webpage is great resource for information about snow clearing of Pathways. http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pages/Pathways/Sn...

The detailed snow and ice control maps indicate the pathways, sidewalks and overpasses that are cleared by specific City departments. Calgary Parks Infrastructure team clears the sidewalk along Spruce Drive at the Wildflower Centre and is done within 72 hours of when the snow stops.

Lighting at the sport court was also identified as a priority for your neighbourhood, however this is a high cost initiative and is out of scope for This is my neighbourhood.

ENGAGEMENT RESULTS

Thank you to everyone who participated and shared ideas with us, the public engagement is now closed. The initiatives will begin implementation in 2018. A full summary report of everything we heard during the engagement can be found here. For What We Heard reports for each of the engagement phases see below.

Prioritization

A report of what we heard when Spruce Cliff residents prioritized initiatives created at the idea workshops to make their vision a reality is available here.

Idea workshops

The report of what we heard during the Spruce Cliff workshops is available here.

Vision Poll

The vision statement for Spruce Cliff is: Spruce Cliff values being a safe, beautiful, active and accessible neighbourhood.

Vision Words

Thanks to everyone who provided input into the neighbourhood vision words. All the ideas you provided can be found in the What We Heard Report.

PAST ENGAGEMENT

Input is now closed. Below are the questions we asked in November-December. The report of what we heard is available here.


Please rank the following projects by impact to community so we can help make your neighbourhood become an even better place to live, work and play. Based on the neighbourhood vision for Spruce Cliff, the following initiatives are possible for The City to support as part of the This is my neighbourhood program.


1. Wildflower Playground improvement

Providing accessible recreational equipment and opportunities to all residents contributes to an active, playful community. This project is dependent on a feasibility study and timelines.

Projected cost: $1,000-$2,000


1b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred option for Wildflower Playground enhancements?

2. Outdoor Gathering Space

Well planned gathering spaces encourage people to come together and enjoy community life, while deepening connections and friendships. These relationships contribute to a friendly neighbourhood. Project is dependent on feasibility study and timelines.

Projected cost: $1,000-$2,000


2b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred option for outdoor gathering space?

3. Community Open House Day

A Community Open House Day in the neighbourhood offers opportunities for residents to connect with their neighbours and to learn about various programs and services, Fair Entry and other initiatives and events in the community.


4. Increase Programming

Programming opportunities bring people together and provide an opportunity for neighbours to connect, be active and have fun while building upon their sense of involvement in a vibrant neighbourhood.

Projected cost: $1,000-$5,000


4b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top three preferred options for increased programming?

5. Public Art

Public art contributes to the beautification of the neighbourhood. Residents enjoy their public spaces more and feel a greater sense of community pride and connection when they view the artwork they influenced. An artist would work with the community to develop public art such as a mural, flags and banners or utility box painting.

Projected cost: $10,000-$15,000

6. Community Speed Watch program (along Spruce Drive)

Residents would work with Calgary Police Service to monitor vehicle speeds using radar or laser and encourage good driving.


7. Safety Initiatives

A safety education workshop and/or campaign provided by the Calgary Police Services builds community awareness around home and public safety, as well as addressing crime reporting challenges. This helps to increase social resiliency and a sense of investment in the neighbourhood.


8. Community Communication Plan

Support provided in the development of a strategic communication plan for the neighbourhood. This allows for residents to be better informed and included. This can result in more connections between the community association and residents for better delivery of programs and services.

This would be subject to the commitment from the Community Association to support the development and implementation of the plan.

Projected cost: $5,000-$10,000


9. Night Walk

Night / evening pedestrian safety activities, including night walks, with Calgary Police, Bylaw Officers and Transit Staff.


9b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred options for time of a night walk?

if this initiative goes forward we would need community volunteers to make this experiment happen. If you would be interested in volunteering be sure to answer the Volunteering question (15) below and make sure you've signed up for email updates!


10. More benches at bus stops

We've heard that you would like more benches at bus stops in Spruce Cliff.


10b) Tell us which location you think would have the most impact for the neighbourhood.

11. Experiment for Outdoor Gathering Spaces - Mobile fire pit with marshmallows

Gathering spaces bring people together and provide an opportunity for neighbours to connect while building upon their sense of involvement in a vibrant neighbourhood.


11b) Tell us which location for a mobile fire pit would have the best impact for the neighbourhood?

if this initiative goes forward we would need community volunteers to make this experiment happen. If you would be interested in volunteering be sure to answer the Volunteering question (15) below and make sure you've signed up for email updates!


The Community Association is interested in getting feedback from residents on the type of events and communications they prefer. Questions 13 and 14 are for the use of the CA.

14. How do you like to be communicated with from your Community Association? (Check all that apply.)
15. Volunteering

If you are interested in volunteering to support the initiatives below that will help us gauge interest to know if the program should go forward. Please choose the initiatives you would be interested to support (check all that apply). Then be sure to click the link below and sign up for the email updates and watch for emails that ask for volunteer support.

The survey form is now closed. Thanks for your contributions.

Vision Statement

From July 28 to August 8 we asked for your preference on the vision statements. See below for results.


Pick the vision statement you think is best for Spruce Cliff.

This poll has concluded.

Spruce Cliff values being a safe, beautiful, active, and accessible neighbourhood.
67% (12 votes)
Spruce Cliff values safety, having activities for all, being well connected, and being a beautiful neighbourhood.
11% (2 votes)
Spruce Cliff values safety, having accessible activities for all, being well connected, and being a beautiful neighbourhood.
22% (4 votes)
Total Votes: 18

BACKGROUND

The City created This is my neighbourhood to work with residents to create a community visions that helps guide the delivery of City programs, services and small-scale infrastructure improvements.

This is my neighbourhood began in 2015 with a group of 14 inaugural communities. As part of the This is my neighbourhood program, The City partnered with the first group of neighbourhoods to deliver more than 100 programs, services and small-scale improvement projects that residents requested. Overall, This is my neighbourhood will take place in 28 neighbourhoods over four years from 2015 to 2018.


NEXT STEPS

The initiatives will begin implementation in 2018.