It's not a spot where you would normally expect to find a recreational space. Yet, Flyover Park, located under the overpass that links westbound Memorial Drive to 4^th Ave S.E. and the East Village, is the newest addition to Calgary's parks system.

The Rotary/Mattamy Greenway puts Calgary on the map as one of the most connected cities in the world for biking, walking and enjoying the outdoors

Calgary is world renowned for many things: the Calgary Stampede, mountain views and hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics to name a few. Now it can add the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway to that list.

The 138-kilometre pathway that follows the route of the city's ring road is a monumental achievement in green infrastructure, says Sheila Taylor, the executive director of Park Foundation Calgary, the driving force behind the $50-million undertaking.

"It is one of a kind in the world," she said, adding it connects with 1,000 kilometres of existing pathways in Calgary, linking virtually every community within the city. "The Greenway is the wheel and the other paths are the spokes."

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.'"

We've all heard that Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was Calgary, which continues to undergo an urban renaissance. Over the next five days, CREB®Now will present a series where it has sat down with five influencers who have helped develop the city as we know it today.

The path less travelled

It may seem strange that a woman originally destined for medical studies is instead helping build what will ultimately be the largest pathway and urban parks system in the world.

But Calgary's giant $60-million Rotary/Mattamy Greenway — to encircle the entire city when completed — is a symbol of the less-travelled path Myrna Dubé herself has chosen in more than four decades of service to her adopted city.

The working life of the Montreal-born CEO of Parks Foundation Calgary (PFC) has run from instructor in a genetics lab and office work, to corporate and community relations as well as business and land development.

Parks Foundation Calgary has raised $40 million of the $65 million needed to complete the Rotary/Mattamy Greenway.

When completed, the pathways system will be the largest urban system of pathways and parks in the world. The project is the largest in the Park's Foundation's 29-year history and is currently in phase two of three.

"This is truly a remarkable example of the collaborative community spirit of Calgary," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "Calgarians are exactly the kind of people who can bring together all levels of government, corporations, charitable organizations and individual citizens to create an amazing, unparalleled space to be enjoyed by everyone."