What We've Done - 2024

The Beltline Neighbourhoods Association (BNA) is a vibrant community association for the Beltline district in urban Calgary home to over 25,000 residents in the neighbourhoods of Connaught and Victoria Park. 

 

Based out of the McHugh House Community & Arts Hub, the BNA is non-profit organized by a volunteer Board of Directors who work to make the BNA an accessible and diverse association open to all residents to get involved in making the Beltline an even better place.

 

Here's a rundown of our 2024 activities...

 

We Hosted Great Events

 

2024 BUMP Festival

In August, we hosted the annual BUMP Festival - Calgary's street art Festival. Over the course of the year, we commissioned over 80 new public works including murals, graffiti works, Road Works. We kicked off the Festival with our first ever BUMP Urban Art Conference featuring 22 diverse speakers over two days. We also launched year-round official BUMP Mural Tours to provide opportunities for people to discover BUMP's mural collection.

 

  

We Advocated for Beltline Neighbourhoods

 

17th Avenue Open Streets Pilot

The BNA launched a massive public engagement campaign for visitors, residents, and businesses on 17th Ave to explore the potential for open streets pilots (closed to vehicles) in spring/summer 2025. More details to come.

 

 

11 St SW Underpass

We continue to advocate for the completion of the 11 St SW underpass, so we can finally close the last at-grade crossing in the inner city. In 2022, the City released the results of their public engagement and analysis on the preferred option dedicating the street to an active modes underpass and urban park! Read more about it here.




Flood Mitigation: Springbank Reservoir

It’s been seven years since the devastating floods that impacted Victoria Park in the Beltline as well as Downtown Calgary and many surrounding communities. After years of planning, the Springbank Reservoir is finally under construction to help mitigate future flooding of the Elbow River. The $423M project is jointly funded by the Government of Canada. More info can be found here.

In September, the province announced plans to relocate the Ghost Dam on the Bow River to enhance flood mitigation measures.

14th and 15th Ave SW Mobility Improvements

Thanks to the advocacy of the BNA, the City is moving forward with design work on protected cycle tracks and streetscape improvements on these avenues between 11/12th St SW and 1st St SE. Designs have been released and full construction is expected to take place spring/summer 2025. More info here.




Supervised Consumption Site (SCS) at Sheldon Chumir

We continue to advocate for an evidence-based response to the opioid epidemic that involves community-focused solutions. We’ve publicly called for the Government of Alberta to adopt a community-focused, evidence-based action plan that includes:

  • Letting healthcare experts lead the response to the opioid epidemic
  • Supporting local communities like Beltline by reducing local pressure and providing more distributed services across the city to respond to increasing demand
  • Support a broad range of treatment as called for by healthcare experts
  • Support decriminalization of drug possession and safe supply of drugs to help break the cycle of addictions and drug related crime



 

 

We Planned for the Future - Beltline Urban Development Committee

We continue to review and provide feedback to dozens of development permits in the Beltline, and meet with developers, City Planners, and local stakeholders to help with better urban development in the Beltline. The committee is open to all Beltline residents who want to get involved in improving the the Beltline neighbourhoods.

 

New Beltline ARP Part 1 and Parks and Public Realm Playbook

Part I of the new Beltline ARP was released this year alongside the new Beltline Parks and Public Realm Playbook, which is a high level analysis of the Beltline's existing public realm, evolving needs, and playbook for moving forward with improving public spaces in the community.

 

Event Centre

We continue to advocate to ensure that any public funds contributed towards a new arena for the Flames demonstrate meaningful and material public benefit. BNA submitted a letter on the newly revised plans advocating for reduced parking and adequate noise isolation that would not require a relaxation of noise bylaws. 

 

 

We Created New Parks for Beltline

 

Humpy Hollow Park - Now Open!

This project has been years in the making. Launched in 2018 by the BNA as an initiative to revision this neglected park on the east end of 17th Avenue, it has evolved into a fully funded $3.25M capital investment (with contributions from The Beltline Community Investment Fund) designed by DIALOG!  The newly renovated park features an enclosed off-leash dog park, outdoor covered performance stage, ramp access to McHugh House BNA Community & Arts Hub, wave seating, centralized plaza with movable furniture, new lighting, and prominent BUMP Murals. Full details here

The McHugh House is scheduled to reopen in Summer 2025 after some extensive renovations.

 

HIGH PARK - Phases IV and V

This summer we launched the High Park Movies With A View series and High Park Gardens!







We Continue to Stay Connected

 

The Beltlandian Brief

Sign up for the Beltlandian Brief here.




We Continue to Help Each Other 

 

Beltline Fridge

We believe in solidarity, not charity. The Beltline Fridge is a volunteer-led project that enables food to be shared within a community. Anyone can bring food or take food without limits or barriers. It is maintained by a network of residents and local businesses and not only reduces food insecurity in our community, but mitigates food waste as well. Learn more about how you can help.

 

HELP US KEEP BUILDING A STRONGER, BETTER BELTLINE. 

 

PURCHASE YOUR 2024/2025 MEMBERSHIP AND ATTEND OUR AGM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29. 

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