Updated as of Tuesday, 2025 June 24th
The proposed plan paid parking lot upgrade project for Edworthy Park's north lot has been cancelled. The City received significant public feedback, primarily against the introduction of parking fees, leading to the decision to keep the lot as-is with ongoing maintenance. The current gravel lot will remain free to use.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Original Plan:
The city had planned to pave the pothole-ridden lot, add designated parking spaces, improve drainage, install new lighting, and introduce a pay machine.
Public Feedback:
Concerns were raised about the introduction of paid parking, with many feeling it was unfair to charge for using a park.
Cancellation:
The city listened to the feedback and cancelled the proposed upgrades and the associated parking fees.
Current Status:
The north Edworthy Park lot will remain a free parking area with its current gravel surface, and the city will continue to maintain it.
Planned upgrades for a parking lot at a Calgary park that weren’t sitting right with many residents will not be moving ahead.
The parking lot in question, along a bike path near the Bow River on the north side of Edworthy Park is currently a bumpy ride, to say the least. The lot is full of potholes, loose gravel, and no lines to indicate where people can leave their vehicles.
The land at the end of Shaganappi Trail NW recently went from being under the city’s Parks Department to its mobility unit, which includes Calgary Parking. A recent planned proposal to upgrade it included a pay machine.
Under the proposal, people would be able to park for free for up to two hours, but a dollar an hour fee would in place for anyone planning to stay longer.
“People were just outraged that there is an extra fee to use a park,” says Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp. “When I first heard that people were going to have to pay for this, I shook my head.”
“We charge enough in property taxes, people should be able to use the park.”
City planners said requiring park goers to pay a modest amount after two hours of free parking would help recoup the cost of upgrades to the lot, which were to include resurfacing, improving drainage, adding new lighting and electric vehicle chargers.
The upgrades were expected to cost around $1 million.
Sharp says the city should instead use the city’s maintenance programs to target areas of high demand, like the Edworthy parking lot.
“Charging them extra was not something that should have been on the table,” she says. “We confirmed this morning with administration, through a memo that they were sending out, people will be able to use the park without paying.”
Sharp says the city putting on the brakes is a great example of what can happen when residents have their say.
“Those people that say you can’t fight City Hall, I would say ‘yes you can,'” she says. “This is what you get when you win.”
Plan to Pave North Edworthy Parking Lot, Charge for Parking Concerning for Park Users
A plan to pave the parking lot at Edworthy Park and then charge to park there is not going over well with some park users.
The city is planning to pave the north Edworthy Park parking lot, near Bowness Road N.W.
The project aims to reduce potholes and dust in the gravel lot and mitigate flood concerns during rainfall and snowmelt.
The plan to pave it will cost more than $1 million, but the city hopes to recoup costs through paid parking.
Construction is expected to begin in spring/summer 2026.
The proposed upgrades include paving with asphalt, updates to stormwater management, accessibility, lighting, security, landscaping and clearly marked parking stalls, according to the parking authority.
The project will also add electric vehicle chargers.
One park user who spoke with CTV News said they are not in favour of having a paid parking lot in a park.
Another noted that the lot has been in “horrible condition for a long time,” but added that they didn’t think users would have to help pay for the improvements.
With the updates to the lot, the city says there would be 178 parking stalls – a loss of approximately 12 spots.
The city is hosting outdoor drop-in information sessions about the projects. Two will be held in the north parking lot on Monday, May 5, between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and Friday, May 9, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Another will be held at the Parkdale Nifty Fifties Seniors Association, located at 3512 5 Ave N.W., on Wednesday, May 28, with drop-in times between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
More information can be found on the Calgary Parking‘s website.