IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Falconridge/Castleridge values being a safe, clean, beautiful and well-maintained 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.

Residents in Falconridge/Castleridge will have more opportunities to meet, gather and play in new spaces. Residents will be encouraged to be more active, develop new friendships, and enjoy the outdoor beauty of their 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 Falconridge/Castleridge.

Improvement Project Project Details Target Completion Date
Open Space Assessment for green spaces The City will work with the community to develop a long-term plan for the future use of the neighbourhood’s existing green spaces. Fall 2018
Active stencils / distance marking on existing pathway Activity stencils on pathways such as hopscotch, mazes or jumping games. Summer 2018
Outdoor Children’s Program An opportunity for children to participate in unstructured play. Summer 2018
Additional programs New programs such as Cricket, Bhangra classes, Geocaching and/or Pickleball. Summer 2018
Fire hydrant re-purposing Reusing and repainting old hydrants and installing them in the off-leash dog park. Fall 2018
Community Clean-up Offer an additional community clean-up day with the possibility of cleaning up community parks and public spaces. To celebrate increased pride in the communities, the day would conclude with an event at the Community Association building. Fall 2018
Street decoration Adding visual interest to a street reminds motorists that they have entered a vibrant and active community and encourages them to drive with appropriate attention and care. Summer 2018
Evening walking group with Calgary Police Service (CPS) / Community safety conversation An opportunity for residents to come together with a common purpose of promoting overall health, healthy aging and reducing stress through walking while learning tips on personal and community safety. Late February 2018
Activate unused green spaces A Community Garden in Castleridge provides an opportunity for residents to garden and beautify their neighbourhood Fall 2018
This project is dependent on feasibility study.
Micro-grant support Supporting community members in applying to ActivateYYC and other community grant programs that support resident-led initiatives. Winter 2018
Activate the green space between Terry Fox High & the Community Association Better use of this green space will contribute to beautification of the neighbourhood. Fall 2018


There are also projects that are lead by residents.

Resident Led project Project Details Timeline
Tool Lending Library / Yard Maintenance on a Budget Helping you create a yard that you are proud of! Providing opportunities to learn about keeping your yard looking nice including what plants to use to minimize maintenance. The Tool Lending Library would assist Falconridge/Castleridge by having a limited variety of home and garden tools that can be borrowed. It would also provide education on how to use the tools and techniques to help maintain yards and outside spaces. Ongoing
Back Alley Parties We can transform a back alley from what it may look like now to a temporary public space that residents can enjoy! Possible ideas could include a popcorn machine & benches set up for neighbours to visit, outdoor yoga or dance classes, and big scale games to play. Ongoing
Connecting Culture pop-up bus In partnership with different faith and cultural groups, each group would be responsible for the activities on the bus (dance, food, etc.) for 1-2 hours. This would improve people's understanding of different cultures and allow people to meet their neighbours and build relationships. Ongoing
Walking school bus A Walking School bus is a simple way to reduce the number of cars traveling to and from school and give families a safe, active way to get to school. Volunteer parents act as Walking School bus leaders, one or two times per week. The group walks past each home and children join the walk along the way. This can also create stronger relationships between families in the neighbourhood and children can develop friendships, learn and practice traffic safety skills, and enjoy active transportation daily. Ongoing
Night Market in green space A Night Market transforms an outdoor space to bring together creatives from culinary, design, performance and graphic arts sectors to celebrate community, diversity and the power of food. This supports healthier, more connected and more self-determined communities. Ongoing

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 Falconridge/Castleridge 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 Falconridge/Castleridge workshops is available here.

Vision Poll

The vision statement for Falconridge/Castleridge is: Falconridge/Castleridge values being a safe, clean, beautiful and well-maintained 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 Falconridge/Castleridge, the following initiatives are possible for The City to support as part of the This is my neighbourhood program.


1. Open Space Assessment (plan for green spaces)

An Open Space Assessment is how The City plans for the future of the open, green spaces in a community. The City will work with the community to develop a long-term plan for the future use of the neighbourhood’s existing green spaces.

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



2. Active stencils / distance marking on existing pathway

This can encourage walkers to interact with the stencils and make the walk more enjoyable, unexpected and fun for all ages. e.g. hopscotch, circle maze, jump game. It can also help people better understand what is close by in their neighbourhood.

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



3. Outdoor Program - How do you play day?

An opportunity for children to participate in unstructured play to help to connect and deepen friendships while developing skills and confidence.

Projected cost: $1,000-$3,000



4. Tool Lending Library / Yard Maintenance on a Budget

Helping you create a yard that you are proud of! Providing opportunities to learn about keeping your yard looking nice including what plants to use to minimize maintenance. The Tool Lending Library would assist Falconridge/Castleridge by having a limited variety of home and garden tools that can be borrowed. It would also provide education on how to use the tools and techniques to help maintain yards and outside spaces.

Projected cost: $1,000-$3,000



5. New programs

New programs such as Cricket, Bhangra classes, Geocaching &/or Pickleball would promote being active, help connect residents to each other and encourage better health and inclusion.

Projected cost: $1,000-$3,000


5b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred option for programming?


6. Back Alley Parties

We can transform a back alley from what it may look like now to a temporary public space that residents can enjoy!

Possible ideas could include a popcorn machine & benches set up for neighbours to visit, outdoor yoga or dance classes, and big scale games to play.

Projected cost: $1,000-$3,000


We would need community support to make this experiment happen. If this initiative goes forward we would need community volunteers to host in their back alley. If you would be interested in volunteering to help, be sure to answer the Volunteering question below (19) and make sure you've signed up for email updates!


7. Fire hydrant art

Where do fire hydrants go when they are no longer used for public fire safety? We’d like to explore taking a few of these old hydrants, repainting them using artists and/or existing youth programs, and then installing them in the off-leash dog park to provide beauty and enjoyment for both the two and four-legged park users.

Projected cost: $2,000-$5,000



8. Community Clean-up (additional/enhanced day)

We heard from many residents of Falconridge/Castleridge that they would like their community to be clean and beautiful. In partnership with our Community Standards team, we can partner with volunteers to offer an additional community clean-up day with the possibility of cleaning up community parks and public spaces (includes free trips to the landfill). To celebrate increased pride in the communities, we would conclude the day with an event at the Community Association building.

Projected cost: $4,000-$6,000



9. Street decoration

The creation of art and place-making brings people together, promotes a sense of community, builds connections and strengthens relationships. Adding visual interest to a street reminds motorists that they have entered a vibrant and active community and encourages them to drive with appropriate attention and care.

e.g. Paint the pavement or installing flower planters

Projected cost: $3,000-$5,000


9b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred option to use decoration to improve traffic speeds/safety?
9c) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred location to try first? (We will plan to try the top two options with the third as back-up)


10. Evening walking group with Calgary Police Service (CPS) / Community safety conversation

Falconridge/Castleridge residents shared that safety was of primary importance to them. Specifically people said walking in the evening/night was a time they felt unsafe.

This initiative is an opportunity for residents to come together with a common purpose of promoting overall health, healthy aging and reducing stress through walking. It also encourages residents to get to know one another which promotes a feeling of safety. This would also be an opportunity for education in different areas of community safety.


10b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred time for a community safety walk with CPS?

We would need community support to make this initiative happen. If this initiative goes forward we would need three community volunteers. If you would be interested in volunteering to help, be sure to answer the Volunteering question below (19) and make sure you've signed up for email updates!


11. Activate unused green spaces

We could explore the possibility of a Community Garden in Castleridge. Community gardens provide opportunities for recreational gardening and food production in appropriate, unused spaces. They bring people together and can create a safer space by increasing visibility and engaging citizens in positive initiatives.

Projected cost $5,000-$10,000



12. 'Connecting Culture' pop-up bus

In partnership with different faith and cultural groups, each group would be responsible for the activities on the bus (dance, food, etc.) for 1-2 hours. This would improve people's understanding of different cultures and allow people to meet their neighbours and build relationships.

Projected cost: $1,000-$3,000


12b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top two preferred options for activities to take place on the 'Connecting Cultures' Bus?


13. Youth Action group

Build community pride working with students from Bishop McNally, Terry Fox Junior High and City of Calgary Community Social Workers. In partnership with students from local schools, youth and their allies strengthen their communities through education, mobilization and resource development. Youth would be committed to pioneering meaningful leadership opportunities for the others.



14. Walking School bus

A Walking School bus is a simple way to reduce the number of cars traveling to and from school and give families a safe, active way to get to school. Volunteer parents act as Walking School bus leaders, one or two times per week. The group walks past each home and children join the walk along the way.

This can also create stronger relationships between families in the neighbourhood and children can develop friendships, learn and practice traffic safety skills, and enjoy active transportation daily.



15. Night Market in green space

A Night Market transforms an outdoor space to bring together creatives from culinary, design, performance and graphic arts sectors to celebrate community, diversity and the power of food. This supports healthier, more connected and more self-determined communities.



16. Micro-grant support

You or other community members have great ideas for programs and improvements in the neighbourhood but might need a little help to get started. This initiative would help community members apply to ActivateYYC and other community grant programs that support resident-led initiatives.

Initiatives led by residents build connections in local neighbourhoods and encourage community pride.


We would need community support to make this initiative happen. If this initiative goes forward we would need community members willing to help others with their micro-grant ideas. If you would be interested in volunteering to help, be sure to answer the Volunteering question below (19) and make sure you've signed up for email updates!



17. Green space between Terry Fox High & the Community Association

This green space (or natural conservation space) is an urban nature area but we want to help the neighbourhood use it better. What do you think would make this green space better?


17b) If this initiative were to go forward, what would be your top preferred option for better using this green space (natural conservation space)?
19) Volunteering

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities for the initiatives noted above. Please choose those initiatives you would be interested in (check all that apply). Then be sure to click the link below to sign up for the email updates. 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 Falconridge/Castleridge.

This poll has concluded.

  • Falconridge/ Castleridge values being a safe, clean, beautiful neighbourhood.
    0% (0 votes)
  • Falconridge/ Castleridge values being a safe, litter-free, beautiful neighbourhood.
    0% (0 votes)
  • Falconridge/ Castleridge values being a safe, clean, beautiful and well-maintained neighbourhood.
    100% (9 votes)
Total Votes: 9

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.