Rotary/Mattamy Greenway enters final phase

Largest urban pathway network in North America to be completed in 2017

Parks Foundation Calgary kicked off the final phase of its 138-kilometre Rotary/Mattamy Greenway in the northeast community of Cityscape Wednesday to fan fare from local residents, dignitaries and supporters.

"It's a gigantic deal. It will change the face of this city forever," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi, a vocal supporter of the project since taking office.

Added Parks Foundation Calgary CEO Myrna Dube: "Often it's said the Calgary has a can-do attitude. It'd like to take that a step further and say it's 'will-do.'"

The recently completed second phase stretches from the Western Irrigation District Canal on Calgary's eastern border to Highway 22X, crosses over at 52nd Street S.E., traversing through Auburn Bay, Seton and Cranston before entering Fish Creek Provincial Park. The phase was estimated to have cost $12.8 million of the $60-million project.

The third phase, meanwhile, will extend 74 kilometres from Airport Trail through Cityscape, then connecting neighbouring SkyView Ranch and Redstone. It then will traverse west to 12-Mile Coulee, south into Baker Park, Bowmont Park and Edworthy Park. Eventually it will travel south along Sarcee Trail and 37th Street of the west edge of Fish Creek Park.

"The Greenway will leave a legacy for generations and generations of Calgarians," said Nenshi, who also helped launch a new i?#mygreenway campaign on social media at the event.

Once completed, the Greenway will also include 20 specialty parks, including two dog parks and 10 wetland interpretive areas. It will also connect to the 1,000 kilometres of pathways that already exist within Calgary.

An estimated 400,000 Calgarians will have direct access to the Greenway.

"This (project) show that Calgary is a fantastic place to do business," said Mattamy Homes Canada president Brad Carr, who was on hand for the celebrations. "They think like us. they think big."