 CODA's
PROPOSED
Paskapoo Slopes Interpretive Project
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| March 2002 |
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| Summary
of Proposed Project (see
images) |
| The
proposed Paskapoo Slopes Interpretive Project
is a three-phase project designed to provide
strong interpretive programming for an environmentally
sensitive and historically significant parcel
of land, known as the Paskapoo Slopes. |
| |
• Phase
One, is a research project designed to
improve our understanding of the history of
use and its impact on these lands. This compilation
of data is crucial to the development of strong
interpretive programming to support public
awareness and enjoyment. |
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• Phase
Two would focus on the development of programming |
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• Phase
Three involves pilot project implementation.
The research from Phase One will also assist
CODA in its development plans for this land |
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| Background/Project Need |
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| The Calgary
Olympic Development Association (CODA) obtained,
through two separate purchases in the late
1990's, 300 acres of land known as the Paskapoo
Slopes. This land is located immediately
east of Canada Olympic Park. Previously,
the land had been slated for housing development,
a proposal that brought considerable public
discussion and controversy. |
| All indications
are that the land is historically significant
and environmentally sensitive. There is considerable
archaeological evidence of native use of the
land for the harvesting of buffalo that goes
back through several millennia. One archaeologist
has speculated that this activity had much to
do with the establishment of Calgary. |
| The
land is also described as environmentally sensitive.
The extent and nature of this needs to be determined
although it is clear from its geological makeup,
thin top cover and the presence of underground
springs that it is prone to erosion. Human indiscriminate
recreational activities over the past two to
three decades have caused considerable damage
to the land in certain areas. |
| CODA's Olympic
Hall of Fame and Museum, provides educational
programming for school aged groups. |
| The acquisition
of these lands provides a tremendous opportunity
for it to enrich its program content by tying
into pressing environmental issues and concerns
surrounding land use and abuse. |
| This
has further relevance given the International
Olympic Committee's efforts to stage "green" Olympic
Games. Some efforts have been made to conduct
school tours and hikes through the area with
the Olympic School, operated by the museum, but
our limited knowledge of prehistory and historical
human activity restricts the depth and impact
of our programs. |
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| CODA has included
these lands in its recently announced master
plan for the development of Canada Olympic Park,
known as the Canadian Centre for Olympic Excellence
(CCOE). |
|
Plans for the CCOE recognize
the historical significance of the site and
provide for low impact recreational and sport
training use, most likely as a Nordic training
area. |
| Although at
this point in time, limited information is preventing
CODA from addressing several critical questions. |
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Where
should trails be placed? |
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Are there sites
of special significance that can be interpreted
for the visiting public? |
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Are there areas
that should be preserved and kept clear of further
human activity? |
|
|
Are
there opportunities to increase enjoyment of
this land by the general public that is based
on its historical and environmental significance? |
|
|
| CODA has included
these lands in its recently announced master
plan for the development of Canada Olympic Park,
known as the Canadian Centre for Olympic Excellence
(CCOE). Plans for the CCOE recognize the historical
significance of the site and provide for low
impact recreational and sport training use, most
likely as a Nordic training area. Although at
this point in time, limited information is preventing
CODA from addressing several critical questions.
Where should trails be placed? Are there sites
of special significance that can be interpreted
for the visiting public? Are there areas that
should be preserved and kept clear of further
human activity? Are there opportunities to increase
enjoyment of this land by the general public
that is based on its historical and environmental
significance? |
|
We believe that the
research report to be prepared in the first
phase of our project will help considerably
with the decision making and programming that
we anticipate for the Paskapoo Slopes area
at Canada Olympic Park. |
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| Cooperative
Initiatives |
| |
| CODA
has met with representatives from the Paskapoo
Slopes Preservation Society, Siksika Nation,
Edworthy Park Heritage Society, the River Valleys
Committee to discuss its plans and to gain input
into the environmental, historical and cultural
issues. |
| CODA
anticipates an ongoing process of consultation
and co-operation with these groups and others. |
| CODA
will also be consulting extensively with Dr.
Barney Reeves, who has done a great deal of the
archaeological research into the area. |
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|
Project
Goals |
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| The expected
result of Phase One will be a written report
on the history of the slopes and its environmental
issues. This report will then be the basis for
the development of interpretive programming to
increase public enjoyment and awareness of these
lands. This report will provide a hard basis
of fact for decisions to guide future use. |
|
| The
report from Phase One will be expected to meet
the following objectives: |
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• Examine
the environmental sensitivity of the lands |
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• Use of land
by native cultures |
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• Ownership
and use of the land by white settlers over the
last century |
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• Recreational
use of the lands to the year 2000. |
|
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| By
achieving these objectives CODA expects that
the analysis will provide the necessary foundation
to make informed decisions with programming and
site development. |
| This
can include curriculum based programming for
use by the Olympic School, a program operated
out of Canada Olympic Park under with the support
of the Chevron open Minds/Campus Calgary network. |
| Benefits will
also be seen in interpretive programs designed
primarily for elementary school children to enhance
their awareness of the impact of human use of
lands like these. |
| We
believe that our efforts to thoroughly research
the history of human use of the Paskapoo Slopes
and the environmental impact of that use will
greatly enhance our ability to increase public
awareness and appreciation for this site. |
| |
| The long-term
environmental benefits will be recognized in
the informed quality decisions that will be made
by CODA as its plans for the future use and access
of this property. |
| This
will include enhanced knowledge as to where interpretive
trails for recreational and sport use should
be located. |
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| The timing for initiating
Phase One depends largely on community
support and partnership. |
| CODA is hopeful
that Phase One of the project will commence as
early as the start of June 2002 and completed
by the end of September 2002. |
|
|
| Follow Up Activities |
| The
completion of Phase One of the Paskapoo Slopes
Interpretive Project will result in the advancement
of Phases Two and Three consecutively. |
|
• Phase
Two |
will
focus on the educational programming opportunities
and recommendations within the report. Such
work, in its initial stages will use the Olympic
School, a five-day program operated by CODA at
Canada Olympic Park, aimed at elementary school
aged children under the auspices of Chevron Open
Minds/Campus Calgary. The
staff of CODA's Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum
will develop such programming activities. |
| |
|
• Phase
Three |
will
be the implementation of a pilot project, designed
to make full use of the knowledge gained from
the research. The use of the Olympic School as
a test bed for programming on this site will
ensure awareness of this programming throughout
the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary
Catholic School District. The Chevron Open minds/Campus
Calgary network has proven to be an excellent
communications tool. Schools apply to be part
of these programs. Communications evenings, the
program's own web site and the general enthusiasm
by teachers to participate in these educational
opportunities has ensured a complete sell out
of all available dates at participating institutions. |
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| Summary |
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| Canada Olympic
Park enjoys over one million visitors annually. |
| The range of
visitors includes recreational enthusiasts, tourists,
high performance sports teams, school groups
and spectators for a variety of events. |
| CODA, in conjunction
with existing school board partnerships, is well
positioned to implement the proposed environmental
programs. |
| The community
demand for such programs continues to grow and
partnerships between school boards and private
organizations provide unique educational opportunities
to facilitate this growth. |
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