Thoughts on improving Nosehill?

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I dunno, I can see where Sliver's coming from. It is an ugly piece of land (my opinion of course). I honestly don't really care either way whether or not they improve it. I know a vocal minority love the space, but I honestly think I'm part of the silent majority in thinking it's just another piece of land I'd never visit. Would I go if they actually put some effort into improving it? Probably, and I really think more people would go visit it. But then, I'm guessing the existing users would probably start getting upset that there's too many people visiting the park.

Totally.

[Danijam]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

1) Natural prairie grass is not the same as the grass on your lawn. Prairie grass is a mixture of many different species, and as I said before, is endangered. The rules of your lawn don't apply here.
2) You call it vermin, I call it a unique ecosystem within a major city.
3) The weed argument doesn't apply because this isn't your damn lawn.

I feel like Danijam and Sliver are either married or related. This entire thread boils down to "I don't like it, therefore everyone must not like it".

Married - not that that's ever been a secret.

I wouldn't take my family to Nosehill Park because there's nothing to do. I do take them to Fish Creek Park because there's lots to do. Considering these parks have similar mandates, I don't understand why the addition of a playground or picnic table to Nosehill Park has everyone up in arms. It would only make something that's already doing it's job (being grass) better and more enjoyable for the 11 communities that border it. Why is that so bad?

[You Need a Thneed]

All those photos of Nose Hill make me realize that it's been far too long since I've gone up and explored the place. Such an awesome, beautiful place.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Danijam

Married - not that that's ever been a secret.

I wouldn't take my family to Nosehill Park because there's nothing to do. I do take them to Fish Creek Park because there's lots to do. Considering these parks have similar mandates, I don't understand why the addition of a playground or picnic table to Nosehill Park has everyone up in arms. It would only make something that's already doing it's job (being grass) better and more enjoyable for the 11 communities that border it. Why is that so bad?

Because it's hard for a water park to be grass

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Danijam

Let's be realistic: has anyone ever had a single birthday party at Nosehill? Of course not.

You are all cordially invited to my next birthday party on Nose Hill. Meet at the first bench and we will hike over to Turtle Rock where we will be met by strippers and a bacon picnic in advance of the drunken orgy at ######'s point overlooking 14th Street. Bring chicks to even out the sausage party that is CP.

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Danijam

Considering these parks have similar mandates, I don't understand why the addition of a playground or picnic table to Nosehill Park has everyone up in arms.

According to who? Just because you say so doesn't make it so.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

You are all cordially invited to my next birthday party on Nose Hill. Meet at the first bench and we will hike over to Turtle Rock where we will be met by strippers and a bacon picnic in advance of the drunken orgy at ######'s point overlooking 14th Street. Bring chicks to even out the sausage party that is CP.

Sliver will be late because he will be stuck in traffic on Macleod or Deerfoot or 14th st.

[MrMastodonFarm]

We should turn the entire thing into a Jurassic Park.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Danijam

Considering these parks have similar mandates, I don't understand why the addition of a playground or picnic table to Nosehill Park has everyone up in arms.

As I have stated twice before, Nosehill Park has a special mandate that differs from other Urban Reserves such as Fish Creek Park. It is not just a reserve for the current natural environment but a reserve for the indigenous/native natural environment.

Originally Posted by Sliver

Who the hell would want grass and plants imported from Europe? lol I have no idea at all where you got that from.

Apparently yourself.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

History of the grasses used in lawns

Prior to European colonization, the grasses on the East Coast of North America were mostly broom straw, wild rye, and marsh grass. As Europeans moved into the region, it was noted by colonists in New England, more than others, that the grasses of the New World were inferior to those of England and that their livestock seemed to receive less nutrition from it. In fact, once livestock brought overseas from Europe spread throughout the colonies, much of the native grasses of New England disappeared, and an inventory list from the 17th century noted supplied of clover and grass seed from England. New colonists were even urged by their country and companies to bring grass seed with them to North America. By the late 17th century, a new market in imported grass seed had begun in New England.

Complete Article

Originally Posted by OrganicLawnCare101.com

The New World: Golf and Other Games

Immigrants from Northern Europe brought with them to North America both the idea of the lawn and the grass seeds to create it. Some of those seeds, like the seeds of many other European native plants, were carried here with great care; others arrived on coat hems, or rolled in bundles of bedding or crates of imported goods, or on the rope used to tie such crates and bundles.

Complete Article

Originally Posted by Guelph Mercury

U of G Researchers Examine Impact Of Imported Grass Varieties

GUELPH — Grass is a fundamental part of the food chain, playing an integral role in ecological sustainability, not to mention livestock grazing.

But despite the familiarity of many durable pasture and turf grass varieties used in North America, they are not homegrown — rather, they’re imported from Europe.

Complete Article

[jammies]

I walked thru there once. It was about 3 AM, and my buddy and I were drunk, so we thought it would be a good idea to walk from Edgemont to his place in Huntington Hills by "shortcutting" thru Nose Hill. It was winter (albeit not all that cold) so there was snow enough with the moon that you could see where you were going - if you were sober.

Let's just say it wasn't the best idea we ever had. And that we would gladly have paved the place over once our harrowing journey was complete. Natural - pah!

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Sliver will be late because he will be stuck in traffic on Macleod or Deerfoot or 14th st.

That will be the excuse, but the wet hair and speedo will give away the real reason: extended frolicking session at the Sikome Lake splash park.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by jimmy stang

that will be the excuse, but the wet hair and speedo will give away the real reason: Extended frolicking session at the sikome lake poo and pee park

fyp

[morgin]

My only suggestion for improvement is more signage, trail markers, and maps at important junctions. Leave the rest as is but just make it easier for people to find their way around (and some signs pointing out interesting history tidbits or some teaching tools so I know what I'm looking at wouldn't hurt). I think they have some of this already but it's pretty sparse.

[morgin]

Originally Posted by morgin

My only suggestion for improvement is more signage, trail markers, and maps at important junctions. Leave the rest as is but just make it easier for people to find their way around (and some signs pointing out interesting history tidbits or some teaching tools so I know what I'm looking at wouldn't hurt). I think they have some of this already but it's pretty sparse.

http://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Parks/Pag...ment-plan.aspx

Serves me right for not reading up. This is already planned. Awesome! No suggestions from me.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by valo403

Well that's pretty much what you said. If you don't want people to come to that conclusion perhaps consider turning down the hyperbole in your posts.

It's not hyperbole to me. Nose Hill is ugly as hell to me and that won't change. Still doesn't mean it applies to other natural settings.

[undercoverbrother]

They could also work in one of the systems of fitness stations, the army base's always had them. It would be a great workout to run around the area and have chip up/situp/squat/shoulder press stations.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think its funny that Table5 has sided with the sprawly manicured lawn crowd on this one, he's probably thinking "ahh crap".

Yep, probably any other place, and I'd be on the other side. I can understand all the arguments for keeping a natural park natural too, but man, I just can't stand up for Nose Hill. I just can't.

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

All those photos of Nose Hill make me realize that it's been far too long since I've gone up and explored the place. Such an awesome, beautiful place.

I think the problem some of these people are having is they don't bother exploring it, and just look at it from the parking lot and give up. Fish Creek doesn't look at all dissimilar from the parking lot either, only flatter.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It's not hyperbole to me. Nose Hill is ugly as hell to me and that won't change. Still doesn't mean it applies to other natural settings.

Which is pretty much exactly what I said, you've decided that certain natural settings are boring and therefore not worth keeping around.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by valo403

Which is pretty much exactly what I said, you've decided that certain natural settings are boring and therefore not worth keeping around.

Um, yeah, but that's true. Go play around in the Sahara desert for a while, then take a stroll along the beach in Hawaii and tell me which one you prefer.

There is no such thing as natural settingsism. It's okay to say dead grass and thistle is ugly. I don't think Nosehill's feelings will be hurt.