GREENWAY CONNECTIONS
Active lifestyle attracts buyers to communities on $60M citywide pathway
Some may hear about a substantial network attaching pathways and green space across multiple communities and assume it runs through the inner-city.
But buyers in several new communities are now reaping the benefits of the $60 million Rotary/ Mattamy Greenway developed by Parks Foundation Calgary. When complete, the Greenway will connect 55 neighbourhoods in a 138 kilometre loop around the city, making it the largest urban system in the world.
The Greenway now steps into its 74-kilometre third and final phase of development, reaching north from Airport Trail, to the communities of Cityscape by Mattamy Homes, SkyView Ranch by Walton Development and Management and Redstone by Qualico Communities. It also meets up with StoneGate Industrial by WAM Development Group.
Jesse-Ann and Anthony Verdone are residents of Cityscape and look forward to warm evenings cycling the citywide pathway system.
“It’s part of the reason why we purchased here,” says Jesse-Ann, who is part of Mattamy’s Cityscape sales team but now on maternity leave. She says she’ll be buying a riding stroller so she can make use of the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway with their new baby Luca.
“It’s something that really appealed to me,” Jesse-Ann says.
“I am an avid runner, my husband likes to bike, we’re very active. That’s what sold us on the community and what made us decide to come here. Even just being able to visit our friends in different communities without having to neces- sarily drive everywhere. We come from Toronto where you walk everywhere, so it’s nice to have that ability here.”
The couple lived in a condo in the inner-city neighbourhood of Eau Claire previously but found Cityscape to be a better fit for a young family, says Jesse-Ann. “Being able to come (to Cityscape), have the house and everything and that connection to nature and to be able get out and be active is amazing.”
Around three kilometres of the Greenway stretches through Cityscape. The community has three boardwalks and a new park at the north end of the environmental reserve where the Greenway directional markers are found. There’s also a new playground and contemporary viewing area overlooking the environmental reserve, says Mattamy.
SkyView Ranch features a pathway and observation area, and in Redstone the pathways connect to the community’s expansive Participark amenity, featuring adultsized outdoor fitness equipment.
A 10-kilometre spurline of the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway will also connect to Walton’s planned new community of Cornerstone, east of Sky-View Ranch, writes the company’s vice-president Kendra Milne in an email. The pathway meets up with four wetlands that total more than 72 hectares and will be retained in their natural state, says Milne. She adds the Greenway through Cornerstone will also connect to northeast Calgary’s first regional park, which is planned for the community.
“We were looking for a project that would be iconic,” says Myrna Dube, CEO of Parks Foundation Calgary. “A legacy that could be used by every Calgarian. But we also wanted a project that could stand out despite our economic challenges.”
The first phase of the Rotary/ Mattamy Greenway stretches from Airport Trail N.E. to 17th Avenue S.E. and comprises the 13-kilometre Bob Skinner pathway, a fully fenced off-leash area, the ARC Resources Interpretive Wetlands and two playgrounds. Into the second phase, the Greenway moves from the Western Irrigation District Canal along Calgary’s eastern edge to Highway 22X and crosses at 52nd Street S.E. to the new communities of Auburn Bay, Mahogany, Cranston and Seton. It then links to Fish Creek Provincial Park.
By the end of this year, the entire project will be 90 per cent complete. Among it features are 20 specialty parks, 10 wetland interpretive areas and two dog parks, including another that’s ready for construction.
“It will change the face of this city forever,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi during an event celebrating the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway’s third phase. “(Dube) told you about this crazy idea she had six years ago and it was absolutely crazy. Something that every Calgarian can access no matter where they live, no matter their abilities, no matter if they want to explore the wetlands, take their dog for a walk, cycle to work, (or) go for a run with a friend. Simple really, the largest urban pathway system in the world. Not a big deal, really — it’s a gigantic deal.”
The Rotary/Mattamy Greenway received $50 million in cash and in-kind contributions from more than 100 donors, including individuals, government, service clubs, corporations and land developers. These developers include Qualico Communities, Brookfield Residential, WAM Development Group, Hopewell Residential, Walton Development and Management along with Mattamy Homes, which is a co-title sponsor with Calgary and area Rotary Clubs.
The Calgary Herald is also a sponsor, and a bench marking this contribution now offers pathway users a place to rest.
President of Mattamy Homes Canada Brad Carr says company founder Peter Gilgan has always believed “great communities enrich people’s lives.”
“Thus he felt it was our responsibility as both a home builder and community developer to create and connect to spaces that improve quality of life, health and wellness,” Carr adds. “We believe that our involvement in the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway here in Cityscape is a perfect extension of this philosophy. Not only for the residents here today, but also for all Calgary residents and visitors to this great city for generations to come.”