Summer 2025 Updates
Exploring the New (Urban) Frontier!
We live in an era that calls for change. Rethinking how we build our cities can improve our health, our municipal budgets, and our daily lives. It’s also essential to living within planetary boundaries—and creating a future where we can all thrive.
That might sound intimidating. But many Calgarians see it differently: as a chance to explore, experiment, play - and build a better city together. The old frontier was about expansion—building fast and pushing outward. But the new frontier? It’s here, inside our city. It’s about imagination, collaboration, and collective vision.
In this issue of our newsletter, we’re sharing stories of what this frontier looks like in action: permanent street transformations, award-winning urban design, and the first stirrings of a fall election that could shape our city's next chapter.
CALGARY'S YOUNG TRAILBLAZERS
On May 6, City Council voted 12–1 in favour of making the Connaught Open Street—a project originally proposed by Connaught School fourth graders—permanent.
We’re now raising additional funds to help bring the kids’ full vision to life: with rain gardens, flowers, space for play, socializing, and learning. You can view the concept designs here.
Want to create something similar in your neighbourhood? Explore our co-design resources on safe school routes and check out our Playful Places card deck. And stay tuned—our School Street how-to guide is coming soon!
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Find us at the Calgary Zoo, Connaught Open Street and the Alberta Biodiversity Fesitval this summer for the Chickadee Challenge!
From July 16 to August 22, we’ll be hosting nature-based activities at the Wild Alberta Hub (Wednesdays through Fridays). Learn how to draw Alberta wildlife, flock like a bird, and discover what other species can teach us about sustainable living.
Our team will also be popping up at the Connaught Open Street on August 5th and 12th from 10am - 12pm with kid friendly activities!
We’ll then be returning to the Zoo at the Alberta Biodiversity Festival at the Bow Habitat Station, September 6–8.
WRANGLING THE VOTE
Municipal elections are coming up!
Here’s how to get started:
• Meet the candidates (via The Sprawl)
• Make a voting plan
• Reflect on what matters to you.
Need election issue conversation starters? We’ve put together a great resource about planning healthy communities! Here are some sample questions:
How do you plan to support aging residents who may be less mobile and more socially isolated?
How will you create communities where kids can safely play and travel?
What are your plans for reducing congestion in Calgary neighbourhoods?
How can city budgets support your vision? What tradeoffs might that involve?
AROUND THE CITY
Mayoral Forum – Calgary Alliance for the Common Good, October 4
Find the Chickadee Challenge at:
Calgary Zoo - July 16th through August 22nd, Wednesdays through Fridays at the Wild Alberta Hub
Connaught Open Street - August 5th and 12th at 10am
Alberta Biodiversity Festival - September 6th - 8th
News you might have missed:
SCENES FROM OUR AGM
We gathered in March with Robert Crow Chief, Kristina Stephens, and Aaron Boulton-Chaykowski to reflect on water conservation and our relationship with the Bow. The event was hosted by Brett Bergie and organized by board member David Barrett and outgoing board member Breanna Sayles.
Welcome to our two newest board members, Sidrah Anees and Mauricio Latapi—and thank you to Mase Scarlet for capturing the evening so beautifully.
CELEBRATING AWARD-WINNING COLLABORATORS
David Kowel
Project Manager of the Connaught Open Street and long-time Sustainable Calgary collaborator, David was recently shortlisted in the Air category of the Emerald Awards. Read more
Lucia Blanco
Lucia was named one of this year’s Women Accelerating Change in Urbanism by Women in Urbanism. Her work with Sustainable Calgary spans the Spur Line, Manchester Playful Street, "Streets as Playful Places", as well as co-designing the Connaught Open Street with fourth graders.
Celia Lee
Our Executive Director, Celia, received the 2024 Excellence Award from the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering for Distinguished Collaboration. Since 2018, Celia has built partnerships on design education, health and mobility, integrated learning and the nature-inspired Chickadee Challenge— linking research, imagination, and action to create a healthier, more equitable city.
This summer, we’re raising funds to build the next generation of School Streets in Calgary—because the new frontier isn’t out on the range. It’s right here in our neighbourhoods.
With your support, we turned a bold student idea into the Connaught Open Street—a safer, more playful space outside Connaught School that’s now permanent.
We’ve also got funding to prototype two more School Streets. But that funding only covers the basics. To go further, to support communities, engage students, evaluate impact, and push for permanent change, we need your help.
Donate $30 or more and we’ll send you a limited-edition Summer Fun in the City Postcard Pack
Each pack includes 5 postcard invites and instructions for unique summer activities to do with your friends. You can also grab a pack at Pages Books for $30 with proceeds supporting our work!
