The FONHS was involved with the creation of the Nose Hill Park Master Plan and the Nose Hill Park Natural Area Management Plan and supports the recommendations of these Plans in general terms. We maintain our opposition to the Nose Hill Park Trail and Pathway Plan of 2005.
In specific terms, the Society continues to support the following principles.
1. PATHWAYS
The Society is opposed to construction of any paved pathways with the exception of wheelchair accessible trails as directed by City Council. The need for paved paths for emergency vehicles, to curtail erosion and to meet increasing population demands has not been supported.
2. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY
The FONHS supports the concept of accessibility to the Hill for all Calgarians, but recognises that those features that make the Park so exceptional to able-bodied users, make it the one of the least suitable parks in Calgary for an extensive network of wheelchair accessible trails.
The FONHS advocates a staged system for installation of wheelchair accessible trails as directed by City Council. The Edgemont trail has been installed; we support delaying the creation of any further wheelchair accessible trails until the usage of this first trail demonstrates that further trails are necessary.
3. DOG WALKER ACCESSIBILITY
The FONHS supports the major designations of dog on and off-leash areas contained in the Management Plan. Dogs should be on-leash when using the escarpments and coulees where wildlife species need protection, and may be off-leash on the plateau where the vegetation is disturbed and where dogs are more visible and easier to control. Dog walkers must keep their dogs under control at all times.
4. CYCLIST ACCESSIBILITY
The FONHS supports the designations for bike use contained in the Management Plan. Bikes should be restricted to surfaced trails on the escarpment and coulees and can be unrestricted on the plateau. Cyclists must obey the bylaw speed limit
5. HORSE RIDING ACCESSIBILITY
The FONHS supports the exclusion of horse riding from the Park.
6. DEVELOPMENT
The major value of the Park lies in its unique feature as an natural area unspoiled by the intrusion of human artifacts and available to all for passive recreational activity.
The FONHS is opposed to all unnecessary development in the interior of the Park.
The FONHS supports the provision of visitor services at the periphery of the Park only.
Necessary developments in the interior:
…signage required by city by-law
…rehabilitation of severely damaged areas
…control of noxious weeds
…controlled burns
Any further developments in the interior are to be resisted, including, for example, the following:
…benches other than those adjacent to mobility impaired trails.
…signage except for those required by City by-laws.
…any form of memorial, dedication or commercial acknowledgement.
…the naming of any feature by other than a reference to its natural qualities.
…displays
…further development of formal pathways
…interior parking lots
7. SPECIAL EVENTS
Special events of any kind should not be allowed in the Park but should be directed to other suitable sites.
