City of Calgary opens survey on Cowboys Park after start of renovations

The City of Calgary says it wants to hear from the public on the future of a downtown park space, after it moved to pave over the grass with little to no consultation.

Cowboys Park, formerly Millennium Park, on the west side of downtown Calgary, has caused quite a stir in recent weeks after plans to replace the large green space with an asphalt slab came to light.

Organizers of the Calgary International Blues Festival, which has been held in the park for 14 years, said they were blindsided by the news.

The festival’s producer and artistic director Cindy McLeod previously told CityNews the city was not forthcoming on what was happening with the area after the 10-year naming and sponsorship deal with Cowboys was announced last year.

Blues Fest ultimately struck a temporary deal to host its 2025 event at The Confluence.

Cowboys Park is the new home of the Cowboys Music Festival, which runs every year during the Calgary Stampede, as of this summer.

Work began on renovations to the park earlier this month. Plans released by the city show the majority of the grassy area being covered in a cement “event plaza space,” surrounded by sod, artificial turf, and planting beds.

The city says hardened surfaces will better accommodate people with mobility needs and open the area to host a wider variety of events like markets, sports, recreational activities, and festivals.

Now, an online portal has been launched for Calgarians to give their two cents.

“We want Calgarians to know that while the park’s core function and layout remain the same (the skate park, beach volleyball, basketball courts and dynamic downtown location are not changing), we want their input on how the park can best be utilized through adjustments and activations to deliver the activities they wish to enjoy,” the city’s website reads.

It says work is currently underway to improve utilities and electrical infrastructure for the festival space, which has been guided by the Cowboys sponsorship agreement and construction standards.

“Cowboys Park remains a vibrant public park, open to the community and visitors alike,” Allison Fifield, community parks initiatives lead, said in a statement. “We want to hear your ideas on how to make its next chapter more welcoming, accessible and attractive year-round.”

A report compiling responses and feedback from the public is expected to be shared in May, according to the city.

Calgarians who want to participate have until April 21.

The survey can be found here.