A concept design has been picked for a new public space along the Bow River in downtown Calgary.
The City of Calgary announced a winning design on Wednesday and says work will move ahead on the RiverWalk West space on the south side of the river between 14 Street SW and the Peace Bridge.
The winning design is called ‘Exchange – RiverWalk West,’ and the project will aim to “enhance vibrancy and accessibility” while improving Calgary’s pathway system and honouring the history of the area.
The new area will include extended boardwalks, new trails along the Bow River, areas for ceremonies and a municipal pool.
“It’s a nice marriage of traditional and contemporary,” says Jared Tailfeathers, who is a historian and Indigenous placemaking consultant for the project.
“There will be some revitalized nature walk sites and river art with natural elements. So that calls back to some traditional methods of making. There’s going to be lots of markers of points where it was really important, and there will be some public art to go along with that.”
The winning design was chosen by a jury of professionals and the process marked the city’s public realm design competition.
“After the project really gets going, there will be a lot more community engagement, which will involve elders and knowledge keepers and ceremonialists, just to make sure that we’re doing it correctly,” says Tailfeathers. “Our histories are as important as the contemporary worldview.”
The design is now being refined before construction begins and a full concept will be shared with Calgarians in early 2025.