Visiting the City of Airdrie’s Parks and Green Spaces a natural experience

By Scott Rowan on June 13, 2024.

Look no further than Nose Creek and the various environmental preserves in Airdrie, and that bustle doesn’t seem so bad after all.

City of Airdrie senior corporate environment specialist Clint Goodman explains Nose Creek runs directly through Airdrie, and serves as a backbone for ecological and residential recreation life in the city.

Goodman also says that Nose Creek gives a litmus test for environmental management processes in Calgary and neighbouring Rocky View County (RVC), municipalities where Nose Creek runs through before reaching the Bow River confluence.

With Nose Creek serving as a backdrop, Airdrie has eight official “green spaces” dotted across 1,700 acres of parkland.

At local parks such as Nose Creek Regional Park, East Lake, Fletcher, or Chinook Winds, and the soon to be arriving Northeast Regional Park, City of Airdrie parks coordinator Cory Anderson said Airdrie’s green spaces offer four-season recreation ideal for active families, especially in the summer months.

“Our green spaces offer 147 km of pathways, opportunities for angling and fishing, walking, bird watching, habitat stepping stones, and connection to the Trans Canada Trail which integrates with Rocky View County and Irricana,” said Anderson.

The Williamstown Environmental Reserve, Dry Creek, Kingsview Road Wetland, and 40th Ave Wetland are examples of natural area preserves in Airdrie according to Anderson, and they provide a true window into nature within the city.

Anderson explains that Prairie Springs Pond, South Windsong Pond, Kings Heights Pond, Coopers ‘Loot’ Pond, Willow Brook Pond, and Reunion Pond are examples of notable natural storm water ponds (preserves) as well.

Green spaces and natural preserves in cities are important for the promotion of physical activity and lifestyle close to home, according to Anderson, however, Goodman adds that green spaces are also vital for local wildlife as it gives them a platform to co-exist with humans while still being free to roam a natural environment.

Goodman explains that Nose Creek has seen lots of people and organizations go to bat for its preservation while development continues to grow, and a major driver for its protection comes from the Save Nose Creek volunteer organization.

Andrew Yule, founder of Save Nose Creek, said the organization’s latest campaign involves establishing a ‘green belt’ (essentially a larger or extended green space) from Calgary to Airdrie along the Nose Creek Valley to further promote connection to nature.

“We’re really trying to get everybody to the table to talk about connectivity,” Yule said, “connecting wildlife corridors is so important, and an officially protected green belt could be the answer.”

Yule further explains that minimizing development around Nose Creek is imperative for wildlife to navigate back to nature as they instinctively follow water back to their habitats.

“We had a pronghorn antelope near the North end of Calgary that was separated from its herd in 2022, but by 2023, we tracked him all the way to Airdrie,” Yule said. “Water is life, and the animals follow it with the Nose Creek.”

For more information on Airdrie’s parks and green spaces, and other visitor opportunities this summer, visit http://www.airdrie.ca.

Scott Rowan is a reporter for Airdrie City View and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was published for the Great West Media & Southern Alberta Newspapers Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. The Hot Summer Guide is a special feature about summer activities, bucket list adventures, staycation options, road trips, attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta.