Kingsland hoping to repair image
City grant could help spruce up community
Don’t be fooled by its name — Kingsland is feeling less than regal these days, with a tarnished image to boot, residents say.
But with a plan to rejuvenate and help from a city project that teams neighbourhoods with planners and funding, Kingsland’s crown may shine again.
Community members are hoping for a grant of $258,500 to spruce up its down-at-the-heel parks, an ailing wooden stairwell, unlit paths and to create a community garden.
“Kingsland is a community that is 50 years old that has not had much reinvestment over the years. It is a community that in a way is kind of forgotten,” Ald. Brian Pincott told the city’s priorities and finance committee Tuesday.
“In a way, Kingsland is a community that falls between the cracks.”
With an estimated 75 per cent of its residents being apartment dwellers, Kingsland is a neighbourhood unlike any other in Calgary, which typically see only 25 per cent renters.
The southwest community of more than 4,000 is feeling much like an urban island to residents, as it is bound by major transportation arteries — Glenmore Trail to the north, Macleod Trail to the east, Heritage Drive to the south, and Elbow Drive to the west.
Specifically, residents say the area is suffering from missing pedestrian links, unlit walkways and a broken public stairwell.
“They’ve tried to do things like repair the stairs on city property themselves or clear the pathways themselves, and the city, from a liability perspective, we don’t let them do that,” said Pincott.
Residents are hoping the city will sign off a grant from the city’s innovation fund, making it the first to benefit SPUR — a revitalization plan Supporting Partnerships for Urban Reinvestment.
With the public realm declining in the city’s older communities, the project aims to link city departments with neighbourhoods, as long as residents contribute by matching funds or volunteering.
“It is a partnership and the piece that is missing is quantifying what the community part of it is,” said Pincott.
“If this works, it will require us to reorganize city administration and how we deliver services. We have to bring people together who don’t normally work together.
Plans include opening up pedestrian paths with lighting, repaving lanes for cyclists and strollers, landscaping, playground equipment and a community garden.
While the plans were met with enthusiasm, some city leaders aren’t so sure what role residents will play in sharing costs and offering “sweat equity.”
Ald. Druh Farrell warned that most communities do their own fundraising for playgrounds, and attract private sponsors to work with them.
“The idea is intriguing, but we haven’t seen a plan. I think we need to concentrate on communities that are experiencing significant change.
“Is Kingsland the right community to test this out on? I don’t see them as a community that’s going to be undergoing significant change and densification.”
But according to city administration, changes are coming.
“It will be growing, there is developer interest. However, it’s one of these communities where developers are wondering, do they invest?” said community planner Thom Mahler.
“It’s one of these communities where you’re not sure which direction it’s going in. They want to make sure they’re heading in the right direction.”
They may not be experiencing the redevelopment other communities are bracing for, but Kingsland residents aren’t waiting.
“How can they improve walkability and connectivity today? They’re having difficulty walking to the things they need to use today, the Heritage LRT and the Kingsland Farmers Market. They’ve identified things that will take their reliance off cars,” said Mahler.
Neighbourhood volunteers are hoping their hard work will pay off.
“Kingsland is a true gem,” says resident Brandy Macinnis.
“A lot of people only see the commercial development when they think of Kingsland, but it has great potential.”