Please note this is a past project which undertook all engagement previously:

(see information on that process below)

The Construction, transforming the intersection of 2 Street N.W. and 19 Avenue N.W. into a permanent redevelopment of the park, began in fall 2022.

We collected feedback from March 17- March 31, 2021. Feedback will be used to help inform the final design for Balmoral Circus Park. The other components of the North Hill Area Neighbourhood Streets project are currently under review and updates can viewed by clicking on the link provided at the top of this page. The What We Heard can be viewed here.

We wanted to hear from you about design considerations for Balmoral Circus Park, to create an attractive and meaningful community destination. The concepts presented as part of this phase 2 of engagement were developed by using technical analysis, consideration of what we learned through the pilot and feedback we heard in phase 1. Engagement is always intended to supplement the process of planning and implementation of any project.

In fall 2020, as part of the Neighbourhood Streets North Hill Area project, park expansion at Balmoral Circus transformed the intersection at 2 Street and 19 Avenue N.W. by changing roadways into park space within the circle and preventing vehicle access with temporary materials. We want to find an appropriate balance between creating a quiet space for passive recreation adjacent to homes and creating an attractive and meaningful community destination. The closure of this intersection will:

• Create a quiet outdoor space for community members
• Decrease short cutting and reduces volume of vehicles on street
• Provides all directions access for people walking and cycling
• Retains vehicle access to all homes
• Results in reduction of on-street parking
• Partial closure of a portion of street with potential for community programming and open space

View the What We Heard Report from the North Hill Area and the What We Heard from Balmoral Direct Residents

Please see the two design concepts below. These concepts are not meant as an "A" or "B" choice but rather to give an overview of the general concepts and how the experience of each concept invites differences in potential use and feel of the space. Final design concept will blend concept features from both to best reflect what we hear about the desired experience, as well as technical considerations.

You can view the Balmoral Concept Designs in a PDF format or view using the tools below.

PRELIMINARY CONCEPT A

Visitors to Balmoral Circus will be greeted by the view of a stand of flowering trees and low shrubs (4). Stepping into the park you land on a generous tree lined path that circulates around the entire park (7). To facilitate vehicles safety turning around on 19th Avenue N.W. a cul-de-sac is within the park (2), with breakaway bollards prohibiting any through traffic, additional parking is available on 2nd Street. The park is a place for both pedestrians and cyclists.

The central part of Circus is a paved surface, with the potential for a unique concrete pattern or mosaic (3). This open area will provide a flexible space for community members to gather, from the impromptu hockey game to the first pedals of a bicycle. Surrounding the central plaza, lawn panels (6) provide a place for people to sit and spread out a blanket, soak up the sun and take part in neighborhood happenings.

KEY CONCEPT FEATURES:

TREE-LINED PROMENADE -This generous pathway circles the entire park, with the quarters connected by a raised pedestrian crosswalk

LAWN - A place for individuals and families to spread a blanket, catch some sun and meet up with community members

TREES - The pedestrian focus of the park is signaled by the flowing trees on either side of the cul-de-sac, creating seasonal interest and a formal design that references the City Beautiful movement that influenced the original circus form

Visitors to Balmoral Circus will be welcomed by a unique landform (2) as they approach the park. As neighbourhood residents pass through this landform (7), they are welcomed to a space designed for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy. The city sidewalk continues along the bottom of the slope (6). As you travel further into the center of the park, patterned seasonal planting (3) catches the eye and provides unique splashes of form and colour.

In the center of the park a lawn circle (4) provides flexible space to relax in the sun. Surrounding the central green smaller paved plazas (5) allow people to gather and enjoy the plantings as well as interact with anyone enjoying the landform surrounding the perimeter.

KEY CONCEPT FEATURES:

PLANTING ISLANDS - As you make your way to the central green, raised planting beds, inspired by the city beautiful movement, provide the potential for community led planting and seating bring colour and shape into the space.

LANDFORM - Around the perimeter of the park a sloped landform will act as a visual edge to the park as well as a playful structure for reclining and enjoyment. A landform can be defined as: a natural feature of the earth's surface (for example a small berm or hill).

THE ENTRANCE - The perimeter landform that surrounds the park will have four entrances that slice through the form, marking the central space for community members.

This fall The City of Calgary installed traffic calming measures and park expansion using temporary materials along 1 Street N.E. and 2 Street N.W. These were intended to address barriers, missing links and traffic issues (identified by stakeholders through six years of engagement for Green Line, The City’s local growth planning program’s work in North Hill Communities and Main Streets) proactively and ahead of planned intensification and development.

Phase 1 of engagement for the Neighbourhood Streets North Hill Area project, occurred from Nov 6 – Dec 6, 2020. During this first phase of engagement we asked residents how they currently use the park space and how they would like to use it in the future. To review the What We Heard report click here.

During phase 2 of engagement, March 17 – 31, we want to hear your feedback on design considerations for the space to create an attractive and meaningful community destination. The concepts being presented as part of phase 2 of engagement were developed by using technical analysis, consideration of what we learned through the pilot and feedback we heard in phase 1.

Following phase 2 of engagement, we will be using your feedback to help inform the final design for the Balmoral Circus Park expansion. Construction transforming the intersection of 2 Avenue N.W. and 19 Street N.W. into a permanent expansion of the park will being in summer 2021.

Our most recent opportunity for input has now closed and the What We Heard in now posted on this page.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FEEDBACK.

Updated design concepts will be posted here when complete.

We will be using your feedback to help inform the final design for Balmoral Circus, transforming the intersection of 2 Avenue N.W. and 19 Street N.W. into a permanent expansion of the park. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2021. View the What We Heard.

Updated desing plans will be posted here when completed.