The Beltline Neighbourhoods Association (BNA) is a community association for the vibrant Beltline district in urban Calgary home to over 26,000 residents in the neighbourhoods of Connaught and Victoria Park.
Based out of the McHugh House Community & Arts Hub (currently under renovation), 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 2025 activities...
We Supported Great Events
2025 BUMP Festival
After nine years, the BUMP Festival has officially branched off from the BNA as its own stand-alone charitable, non-profit arts organization known as the BUMP Festival Arts Society. This year, BUMP hosted the 2025 edition of the annual festival with new Road Works, e-scooter corrals, wall murals, Urban Art Conference, Graffiti Jam, guided mural tours, and finale Crashout Party in the Beltline. The BNA will continue to collaborate and support BUMP as it continues to evolve with Calgary’s urban art movement.
We Advocated for the Beltline Neighbourhoods
17th Avenue Open Streets Pilot
The BNA released the results of the 17th Ave Open Street Pilot public and business surveys, which showed a majority of businesses supporting a pilot, and 77% of the public respondents indicating they would visit 17th Ave more often if there were open streets. The BNA is currently working with a consultant to advance the plans to present to the public and businesses for further engagement.
Green Line: Beltline and Downtown Alignment
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We advocated against the Provincial Government’s interference in undermining the Green Line project by withdrawing their funding for the underground alignment in the Beltline and Downtown in the 11th hour before the construction contracts were set to be awarded. The advocacy was successful in triggering the Province to release a heavily redacted version of their Green Line report, though the section on the report’s recommended alignment remains secret.
The BNA is now engaged with the City as they prepare to assess the Province’s proposed elevated alignment.
Flood Mitigation: Springbank Reservoir
It’s been twelve 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 completed construction. The dry dam will 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.
Last year, the Province announced plans to relocate the Ghost Dam on the Bow River to enhance flood mitigation measures on the Bow River.
14th and 15th Ave SW Mobility Improvements
Thanks to eight years of ongoing advocacy by the BNA, the 14th and 15th Ave SW mobility improvements are almost completed. The walking and wheeling improvements, which include a fully protected cycle track, curb extensions, a traffic calming speed bump and new crosswalks, span from 11 St SW to Stampede. The cycle track is expected to be in full operation before the end of November 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 Beltline neighbourhoods.
Mayor’s Urban Design Award - 2024
In 2024, the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association was the recipient of a Mayor's Urban Design Award for the development of The Beltline Parks and Public Realm Playbook in collaboration with O2. To date, this is the third Mayor’s Urban Design Award awarded to the BNA. Previous MUDA awards include High Park and the BUMP.
Check out The Beltline Parks and Public Realm Playbook.
We Created New Parks for Beltline
Humpy Hollow Park
This project has been years in the making. Launched in 2018 by the BNA as an initiative to renovate 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 Spring 2026 pending renovations.
HIGH PARK - 5th Anniversary (Phase 6)
Fall 2025 marks the 5th anniversary of High Park atop the City Centre Parkade. For Phase 6 of the project this year, we installed 2,000-ft of overhead string lights and will soon be adding new picnic tables this November. For summer 2026, we will continue 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 One Another
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.