The Beginning
The Highland Park community is situated within the Nose Creek watershed. During the early part of the 20th century, these lands were used as hay fields for farm animals. During the 1930’s the community of Tuxedo Park was being developed to the south.
On Centre street, the Canadian Estates Company Ltd., donated a route extension to the community of Tuxedo Park and a city park in return for guaranteed street car service. Street car service was continued to Tuxedo Park until 1936.
Aerial photos show that extensive development of Highland Park did not occur until after World War II.
Post-War Development
In the 1950’s, Calgary underwent an economic boom, and the community’s housing stock was constructed in a style that is typically a one storey bungalow that is horizontal to the street with a hip roof. For more info about this period of development, I recommend reading Suburban Modern: Post-War Dreams in Calgary.
Most streets in the community were built on a grid pattern, as it was not until later that urban planners and developers started experimenting with curvilinear street designs. The grid pattern results in the community being highly amenable for walking and cycling due to a high degree of connectivity.
A Resurgence
Calgary continued to expand, but it wasn’t until the start of the 21st century that Highland Park started experiencing infill development. In part, due to lengthening commute times for new suburbs and gentrification, Highland Park now ranks as the fastest growing community in ward 4.
Highland Park is on the cusp of change once again. Redevelopment has been proposed for the Highland Park Golf Course. And a light rail transit project, called the Greenline, has been proposed on Centre St.
Recently, I attended a community forum about the golf course redevelopment in the community. Among the concerns, were the following:
- Without a Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) in place, City of Calgary should meaningfully engage with community from outset of a major redevelopment
- Site’s unique topography requires a slope adaptive plan
- Confederation Creek daylighting
- Lack of Greenline station charrettes and also integration of stations within context of Area Redevelopment Plan
- Due to increased demands on community resources as a result of the proposed added density, there is a need for a community enhancement fund
- Preservation and enhancement of urban forest
- Integrate an active mobility strategy for pedestrians and cyclists
Unfortunately, Ward 4 councillor, Sean Chu was not at the meeting, though did send a representative. The redevelopment of Highland Park is one of Ward 4’s biggest potential opportunities and risks. It needs a holistic plan to guide redevelopment for the next 50 years.
Ward 4 Calgary 