ABOUT THE PROJECT
Pumphouse Park is located on the south side of the Bow River, east of the Crowchild Trail bridge, by the Pumphouse Theatre. The park attracts recreational users and commuters of the Bow River Pathway system as well as theatre goers.
This project is part of the Established Areas Growth and Change Strategy, a program that supports projects that focus on our existing communities where growth and change are happening. The program provides funding to support short-term (1-3 years) public realm improvement projects in established communities so they can continue to be vibrant and successful for decades to come.
We are looking to make improvements to this space to increase activity and mobility in the area and create a comfortable park to host everything from intimate private gatherings to larger community events.
There are some elements of this space that cannot be changed due to budget constraints and scope of our project. However, we value your feedback and would investigate, when possible, budget or scope discussions. Some of the elements that cannot be changed include water and electrical connection locations, capacity load of pathways, removal of trees or site ecology and below ground work that could be unsafe due to previous environmental contamination.
Improvement of this park and surrounding area will also provide new connections for the Bow River Pathway system, cycle track users, and the inner city communities of Sunalta, Hillhurst and Scarboro.
PHASE TWO - INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
Public input about how Pumphouse Park is currently used and what people like and dislike about the park was collected in August and September of 2021.
Following Phase 1 Engagement, the project team divided Pumphouse Park into three Zones and developed 2 Concepts using technical analysis, internal stakeholder feedback and public input that was collected in Phase 1.
- Concept A provides open large areas for flexible programming and medium event space, as well as smaller areas for physical recreation and small gatherings.
- Concept B provides for some flexible programming spaces and small to medium event spaces, as well as multiple areas for physical recreation and family gatherings.
These Concepts are not meant to be a choice of A or B. They are provided here to give a general idea of how the elements in each can influence how the park is used and the public's experience of the space.
You are invited
to register
for an online session on Tuesday, March 1,
2022 from noon to 1:00 pm
to learn more about design concepts for the park and specific design
considerations for events.
A recording of the online session presentation will be posted here for those unable to attend.
WHAT IS ENGAGEMENT?
Your input, and the input of other citizens and stakeholders, helps The City understand people’s perspectives, opinions, and concerns. Input collected in this phase of the project will be compiled and shared through a What We Heard report. Personally identifying information, profanity and comments that do not meet The City's Respectful Workplace Policy or the Online Tool Moderation Practice will be removed.
Although it would be a great outcome, the goal of engagement is not to reach consensus or make everyone happy. Engagement is also not about voting or collecting representative information. Public engagement is about considering the input, ideas and perspectives of people who are interested or impacted by decisions, before decisions are made.
To learn more about engagement at The City, visit engage.calgary.ca/about.
Site information
The utilities will not change from what is currently in the Park.
Zone 1
There are no power boxes, water valves or water pipes.
Zone 2
Power boxes are at the west end of the elevated lawn area and at the south slope of the upper lawn.
There are no water valves or water pipes.
Zone 3
There are 2 power boxes in the lower central treed area.
There are 3 water valves along the east side of this zone. Water lines run in a north / south direction along the eastern edge of the Pumphouse Theatre property.
Future electrical connections: electrical connections might be added for ease of access for events in the vicinity of existing power box locations in future. This has not been budgeted for this project.
Future water valves: water is not easily accessible but a metered connection might be added in the vicinity of the north / south existing water line in future. This has not been budgeted for this project.
The park has been designed for year-round public use, including its existing and proposed activities, pathway use, seasonal activities, and use of social & family gathering areas.
Our design options include dedicated open space areas for events and festivals.
Printable capacity calculations for each Zone in each Concept: Pumphouse Park Attendance Capacity
The Pumphouse Park parking lot redesign for both Concepts includes a new drive isle with 35 spaces. There will be approximately 20 informal spaces in the gravel area adjacent to the parking lot.
Please note: parking will be limited during Pumphouse Theatre performances and activities.
In addition to the above, there are approximately 12 spaces on east side of Pumphouse Theatre which are reserved for theatre use only.
Crokicurl ice will be in place for winter use, removed in spring and reinstalled in late fall or early winter.
Permanent fire pits will be used in all seasons.
The following will be used in warmer seasons but the associated amenity or surface will be permanent:
- Games like bean bag toss, horseshoes and ping-pong.
- Sports amenities like beach volleyball, bocce, fitness area.
The overall design has space for temporary infrastructure like port-a-potties and tents to be placed around the Park for individual events.
As with other City of Calgary sites, Park features must be preserved. Damage to the site from events must be repaired or restored to its previous state.
People can take public transit, walk, wheel or drive to Pumphouse Park.
Printable map of access points
This project includes a budget for wayfinding and public art to increase public awareness of and provide artful directions to Pumphouse Park.
Wayfinding examples
Mural examples
Both Concepts include:
- movable chairs and picnic tables and,
- non-movable benches, picnic tables, games, sport activities, and play equipment.
Their locations have been designed to optimize event spaces throughout the Park but specific amenities could be relocated or potentially reduced in number.
Both Concepts incorporate open areas for event set-up and allow for a variety of event-based temporary infrastructure.
Parking will be limited during Pumphouse Theatre performances and activities.
A process to coordinate with Pumphouse Theatre is being developed by The City’s Festivals and Events team during this project.
Vehicle access will be allowed into the Park area for event set up/take down.
Concept B also includes an access pathway into the largest open upper lawn area of the park.
As with other City of Calgary event sites, park features must be preserved. Any damage to the site from events must be repaired or restored to its previous state.
Both designs include The City of Calgary regional pathway standard which is rated for one-tonne vehicle loading.
Pathway system: We cannot change the pathway system. It is designed to alleviate congestion and conflict of pathway users in the park. The location of the proposed pathway system may be altered slightly.
Green infrastructure: We cannot remove the existing trees, tree groupings and natural areas as they are important to the site ecology and user experience of Pumphouse Park. Our goal is to preserve as much of the existing green infrastructure as possible.
Above ground improvements only: the Pumphouse Park area was once an industrial site. The Park was created in a way that addresses surface site contamination and is a safe place to play and host events.
We are only redeveloping the Park with surface amenities and minimal-to-no digging in order to avoid costly environmental remediation requirements.
Zone 1: West Side Fitness
Concept A Legend:
| Concept B Legend:
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Zone 2: Bow River Pathway
| Concept A Legend:
| Concept B Legend:
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ZONE 3: East Side Picnic & Play
| Concept A Legend:
| Concept B Legend:
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