New improvements coming to Nose Creek Park

Airdrie residents love Nose Creek Park, a 40-acre parkland on the south side of downtown.   In a recent survey, it was reported that 90% of residents had visited Nose Creek Park with its pathways and nature trails at least once over a two-year period. 

Now the City of Airdrie is launching an improvement plant to enhance the much-used park on the south side of the city as part of the Great Spaces Plan.  Starting next week construction will begin on park improvements which include a boardwalk along the south side of the pond, better washrooms, an improved concession booth and an exciting new amphitheatre.  It also includes refreshed landscaping.

The cost for this vast undertaking is pegged at $2.6 million. The funds were set aside in the 2016 capital budget.  Several public consultations provided feedback for what Airdrie citizens wanted in the popular municipal park.

Staff and management of Airdrie’s city parks and public works department took the wishes of the public and worked diligently with designers to create a truly unique project.  That includes blueprints for the renovated amphitheatre which will be a geometric structure reminiscent of old-timey band shells.  City officials refer to the design as bold and funky that would be attractive to both theatre groups and other performers as well as to Airdrie audiences.  The new design also promises to be larger than the structure that has been in the park for some years.

Despite the larger footprint in the new amphitheatre, the manner of construction will ensure good acoustics for the audience but will control the sound sufficiently as to not bother residents in nearby neighbourhoods and should be more efficient in sound direction that the current one.

City officials hope that Nose Creek Park improvements will be completed by November; however the design of the amphitheatre has not yet been approved by Alberta Environment. This approval is necessary because the structure is very close to Nose Creek which is protected by the Province.  If construction isn’t given the go-ahead before July, construction will be put on hold until 2017.

Community disruption

Unfortunately for those who love Nose Creek Park, there will be significant disruption beginning next week and continuing into the fall.  The pathways will still be accessible the majority of the time to residents as will the playgrounds within the park.  However, construction crews will find it necessary to close the pathways for safety. The fire pit may or may not be available for public use depending on which phase of construction is underway and weather conditions in Airdrie (fire bans).

The pond in Nose Creek Park has always been stocked full of trout however because of this project this program has been suspended.  As well, Nose Creek Park will not be available for group bookings for barbecues and picnics.  Residents can choose other Airdrie parks such as East Lake, Fletcher or Jensen Park where areas can be reserved ahead of time.  To book any of these alternate parks in Airdrie, call the Parks Department at 403-948-8400.