Thoughts on improving Nosehill?

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Five per cent makes it sound like a small amount, but any idea how much land that is? I mean, if it's thousands of square kilometers it probably isn't an issue. Also, I assume there are a lot of plants native to our area that aren't represented on Nosehill. Like maybe they could make a 3 km loop of a walk through pre-developed Calgary with a spruce grove, a birch grove, a garden with flowers of the area, etc.

The value of that land would run several million dollars (tens of millions?), and the bi-annual grass fire likely isn't cheap to extinguish. Calgarians live 45 minutes from some of the most amazing parks in the world (eg Kananskis and Banff) so it's not like there is a shortage of natural areas for us to enjoy. I'm surprised you guys are just accepting Nosehill is already perfect with no room for improvement. Let's leave some natural, but in a perfect world it would be nice to see some improvements made so more Calgarians of more ages could enjoy the park. That's all I'm saying.

1% sounds small, but it's an infinite increase over 0%. . . .

Also, you are correct that there is no shortage of natural spaces for Calgarians to enjoy. We are blessed in that regard, yet that isn't an invitation to start removing or changing what we have in my opinion.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Then who would become the de-facto doormats of the city?

Whatever crappy SW neighborhood Sliver lives in. hehehe

[Table 5]

I'm gonna get all pretentious on this, but I always wonder if people who think Nose Hill is beautiful have ever really travelled much around our continent and planet. Alberta has some amazing natural sites, but come on, Nose Hill? It's the skidmark in the underpants of natural sites.

I think a little man-made help can work if done right. Glenmore Reservoir is a great example of something (semi) man-made that's pretty fantastic on all accounts. You can enjoy nature in a beautiful setting, do all sorts of activities from sailing to biking, to fishing etc., and feel like you're in a little natural oasis in the city. All in a setting that's actually pleasing to the eye.

I'm not saying it has to be turned into the gardens of Versailles, but a little transformation to at least parts of it would be welcome in my eyes.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

1% sounds small, but it's an infinite increase over 0%. . . .

Also, you are correct that there is no shortage of natural spaces for Calgarians to enjoy. We are blessed in that regard, yet that isn't an invitation to start removing or changing what we have in my opinion.

lol I'm not suggesting taking it down to 0%.

And I love the "conniving-guy" pic. That's me alright, twirling my mustache while I plan toboggan hills and splash parks for the children of Calgary to enjoy while their parents sit on a picnic blanket enjoying the pretty view of Calgary and maybe catch an orchestra playing a show in the outdoor amphitheater while the natural slope of the hill provides beautiful stadium seating. I'm a scoundrel!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Sliver

lol I'm not suggesting taking it down to 0%.

And I love the "conniving-guy" pic. That's me alright, twirling my mustache while I plan toboggan hills and splash parks for the children of Calgary to enjoy while their parents sit on a picnic blanket enjoying the pretty view of Calgary and maybe catch an orchestra playing a show in the outdoor amphitheater while the natural slope of the hill provides beautiful stadium seating. I'm a scoundrel!

A giant water park or public swimming pool in this city is sorely needed.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by Sliver

lol I'm not suggesting taking it down to 0%.

And I love the "conniving-guy" pic. That's me alright, twirling my mustache while I plan toboggan hills and splash parks for the children of Calgary to enjoy while their parents sit on a picnic blanket enjoying the pretty view of Calgary and maybe catch an orchestra playing a show in the outdoor amphitheater while the natural slope of the hill provides beautiful stadium seating. I'm a scoundrel!

Yeah, I don't think you're really like Snidely Whiplash. Mostly just thought it was a funny picture.

Every time I head up Nose Hill, I see all kinds of people. Young families, elderly folk out for a stroll, dog walkers, mountain or bmx bikers. . . even cross country skiers in the winter. You act like nobody uses it, and that couldn't be further from the truth. Would more people use it if we added some suggestions in this thread? Maybe but I doubt adding trees or something like that would increase the people up there. Adding larger establishments like an amphitheatre or water park would really take away from the park as it was intended in my opinion..

It's not the best park in the world, but it is special especially for its proximity within a large city.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by zamler

I wonder if the people complaining have actually been there. It is an amazing get-away, but you have to go off the beaten path to truly appreciate it.

Warning, dog haters stay away.

NSFW!

Aside from the nice looking dog, those are some pretty boring bland pictures. Looks like Saskatchewan to me.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Table 5

A giant water park or public swimming pool in this city is sorely needed.

but the outdoor pools that are currently in the city are not making money (this year might be different) and in need of repair.


Maybe we should close all the current splash parks/pools and dump the funds into this type of thing



But I guess someone would have done that already if it was profitable.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Iginla

Aside from the nice looking dog, those are some pretty boring bland pictures. Looks like Saskatchewan to me.

What's boring is trying to make everything the same. I love Nose Hill because it is in a mostly natural state, no need to try and change it. If you want different go somewhere else, we have an amazing variety in this part of the world.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by zamler

What's boring is trying to make everything the same. I love Nose Hill because it is in a mostly natural state, no need to try and change it. If you want different go somewhere else, we have an amazing variety in this part of the world.

where is the water on nose hill?

[zamler]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

where is the water on nose hill?

It's not there all year, and in fact recently we have not had as much rain in the spring, which is when you see that accumulation. But I park along John Laurie BLVD and go up the hill and then north east-ish, there are wetlands of a sort during the rainy season. But like I said the last few years not as much. You don't see as many people in that area because it is not that close to any parking lot.

edit - I think I have this correct, the grey area is where the water accumulates. Hope the link works.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by zamler

. You don't see as many people in that area because it is not that close to any parking lot.

hmmm so you can go to a natural area, that is locked within a city and experience natural landscapes with very few people around........improvement indeed

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I think other places in the world are aware of the option to leave giant chunks of dead grass completely undeveloped; most just choose not to exercise that right.

Also, since when does manmade = bad. I've never been, but I've heard Central Park in New York is amazing.

Not even remotely comparable

[Jimmy Stang]

Nose Hill, being a natural environment park, is best left as a... well... natural environment. The city has pools, spray parks, etc. already, and if we need more, the biggest obstacle is funding them and not finding a natural park to sacrifice to house them. Calgary's density is pretty low compared with a lot of other cities in the world (ironically partly because of all of our parks!), and there is no shortage of more practical land to build things on.

I guess I just don't understand the hate for Nose Hill, but I don't expect to come to a consensus either. I don't find it to be ugly, under-utilized, wasted space, or requiring a major overhaul. If you want to go to a pool, go to a pool. If you want to walk, run, hike, mountain bike in a natural environment, at least we've got the option to do so. And not to start going all granola, but we really don't have much unspoiled prairie left anyway, apart from what has been set aside as parks. Farmland is not the same as proper, wild prairie. (Takes another drag from the peace pipe).

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm gonna get all pretentious on this, but I always wonder if people who think Nose Hill is beautiful have ever really travelled much around our continent and planet. Alberta has some amazing natural sites, but come on, Nose Hill? It's the skidmark in the underpants of natural sites.

I think a little man-made help can work if done right. Glenmore Reservoir is a great example of something (semi) man-made that's pretty fantastic on all accounts. You can enjoy nature in a beautiful setting, do all sorts of activities from sailing to biking, to fishing etc., and feel like you're in a little natural oasis in the city. All in a setting that's actually pleasing to the eye.

I'm not saying it has to be turned into the gardens of Versailles, but a little transformation to at least parts of it would be welcome in my eyes.

No offense, but that's complete garbage. For a park located pretty much in the middle of a city it's pretty impressive, and yes, I have traveled a whole hell of a lot.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Table 5

A giant water park or public swimming pool in this city is sorely needed.

Why? Public swimming pools sure, but a giant water park?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by valo403

No offense, but that's complete garbage. For a park located pretty much in the middle of a city it's pretty impressive, and yes, I have traveled a whole hell of a lot.

I guess we'll agree to disagree. I don't see any benefit of the thing.

To me, for a city park, Golden Gate Park is impressive. Stanley Park is impressive. Hyde park is impressive. Fish Creek and Glenmore are impressive too, and they are in the city too. Nose Hill park to me is about as exciting as the stucco'd suburban neighborhoods that surround it.

Originally Posted by valo403

Why? Public swimming pools sure, but a giant water park?

What's wrong with waterparks? Kids love that stuff.

Btw, I'm not saying it has to be in Nosehill....that was just a general comment.

[jar_e]

An outdoor waterpark in Calgary would be a complete disaster. If you're gonna do one, you'd have to make it indoor (a la edmonton unfortunately) to make it viable and last.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I guess we'll agree to disagree. I don't see any benefit of the thing.

To me, for a city park, Golden Gate Park is impressive. Stanley Park is impressive. Hyde park is impressive. Fish Creek and Glenmore are impressive too, and they are in the city too. Nose Hill park to me is about as exciting as the stucco'd suburban neighborhoods that surround it.



What's wrong with waterparks? Kids love that stuff.

Btw, I'm not saying it has to be in Nosehill....that was just a general comment.

I'm not sure why a park has to be exciting to be beneficial. If that's the grounds than I'm not sure how Hyde Park makes the list, it's a bunch of gardens and boring grass fields. Where's the excitement there? Stanley Park, just some trees and an average at best aquarium, nothing exciting about it. Now that I think about it the only 'exciting' park I can think of is Jurassic Park, and that didn't work out so well.

It seems that you've decided certain forms of nature are just to boring to keep around, and that quite frankly is quite a sad statement.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by jar_e

An outdoor waterpark in Calgary would be a complete disaster. If you're gonna do one, you'd have to make it indoor (a la edmonton unfortunately) to make it viable and last.

Yeah, probably not the most viable business venture with our 1 month of summer. Still would love one though....but it's of course not my money to invest into.