The work of Parks Foundation Calgary has directly impacted every single neighborhood in Calgary, from a local playground we helped build, to a dedication bench that was sponsored through our organization.
In the last ten years, we’ve developed and supported over 150 park projects valued at $23 million and impacting more than 50 communities. Last year alone, we helped 25 communities and schools build park projects – playgrounds, natural spaces and gardens – by giving grants and assisting with administration.
Through Parks Foundation Calgary’s Dedication Program, over 1,000 park benches and picnic tables in Calgary been sponsored, providing beautiful resting places and allowing people to honor their loved ones through a custom inscription on a memory plaque.
We led and managed projects that have added a unique vibrancy to our city. Shaw Millenium Park, North America’s largest free outdoor skate park located in downtown Calgary and Calgary Rotary Challenger Park, a barrier-free fully accessible meeting and recreational facility are proudly examples in our portfolio.
Our largest project in the history of the Foundation has placed Calgary as the only city in North America to have a network of parks and pathways that encircles the entire city. The Rotary/Mattamy Greenway is a one of a kind worldwide outdoor attraction, accessible to everyone 365 days a year, free of charge. This 138 km of pathways and natural wetland areas also include over 15 specialized parks and connects over 400,000 Calgarians.
At Parks Foundation Calgary, we’ve also awarded more than $12 million in support of amateur sport, to non-profit groups in the city.
Our continued success is a direct result of relationships with communities, individuals and organizations who see the value in “creating parks through partnerships”
Our core community programs are:
Amateur Sport Grant Program: Our goal is to promote amateur sport development and enhance sport participation for Calgarians of all ages by awarding grants of up to $75,000. The Amateur Sport Grant can be used for the development of new amateur sport facilities, expanding or renovating existing facilities or for purchasing sport-related equipment. Any organization, club, league, educational institution or group can apply.
Building Communities Grant Program: We help to support a variety of community-led initiatives by awarding grants up to $30,000. In addition to funding projects we pride ourselves in providing on-going project support throughout the duration of every project. Our goal is to build community capacity, and promote stewardship for children and community residents, by supporting the development of new and valued community spaces.
Major Projects: We are always looking for new opportunities to create parks through partnerships taking advantage of our expertise leading and completing projects that impact the community. It could be an idea from the pool of projects that we have or a new concept developed together with our potential partner. We like to leave the door open for donors and sponsor that want to leave a legacy in Calgary, invest in the community and contribute to the progress of our city.