Effective Date: September 1, 2020 until further notice

Where: Stream Changes Trail and connectors adjacent to Bow Valley Ranch

Why: Construction activities and trail upgrades. The main trail will be intermittently closed for construction access with detours in place. 

Heavy equipment and crews will be on site completing construction work. Caution should be used, particularly around heavy equipment, and all posted signage, closures and detours must be obeyed.  

• Where: McKinnon Flats Road where it leaves Range Road 274 to the site parking area.
• Why: The access road to the Bow River is steep and presents safety issues during wet or winter conditions. In addition, the road is not to current standards for larger vehicles including auto-trailer units (for boats) or potential emergency vehicle access (for water rescue). Alberta Environment and Parks will upgrade the McKinnon Flats road this fall to meet Alberta Transportation standards and construction is proposed to begin on August 31. To support construction efficiency and ensure public safety, the access road will be closed between August 31 and the end of November.

Although the McKinnon Flats can be accessed from the Bow River, vehicle access will not be permitted to McKinnon Flats from Range Road 274 during construction. River users may use the site as a trip stop but will not be able to access the road and the parking area to launch or take out boats.

Alternative public vehicle access points for the Bow River include Policeman’s Flats, Legacy Island and Johnson’s Island.

• Fence replacement is taking place at Shannon Terrace Day Use Area of Fish Creek Provincial Park beginning Tuesday, July 21.
• The public is asked to take EXTRA CAUTION and obey all construction signs and barricades along the road and trails.

• Effective Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 and until further notice.
• Where: Sikome Aquatic Facility in Fish Creek Provincial Park.
• Why: To limit public exposure to COVID-19.

As a result of ongoing efforts to limit the vectors of transmission for COVID-19, Alberta Parks will not be opening Sikome Aquatic Facility in 2020. For more information about how Alberta Parks is responding to the threat of COVID-19, please visit Response to COVID-19. 

• Effective Date: Friday, May 22, 2020
• Where: Widespread within Fish Creek Provincial Park, including BUT NOT LIMITED TO Bebo Grove and Hull's Wood
• Why: Recent heavy rains have compromised the integrity of several trails.

As a result of recent heavy rains within the City of Calgary, multiple trails and day use areas in Fish Creek Provincial Park are experiencing localized flooding and erosion damage. These areas are closed for public safety reasons until further notice - obey all posted signage, and do not walk past barricades which have been put in place for your safety. Undercutting of trails near the creek is taking place as water levels rise. Avoid trails near the creek, as this hazard is often not noticeable from the pathway but still a serious safety risk.

Effective Date: December 16, 2019

Where: The flood damaged washroom located near the Fish Creek Boat Launch

Why: A new concrete vault toilet will replace this washroom and will be located adjacent to the Boat Launch Parking Lot.

• Construction was delayed due to the COVID-19 response.
• There will be temporary closures of the pathways as required during this time period.
• Please watch for contractors and equipment working in these areas and follow all signage.
• The boat launch is accessible and open for use.

• Effective Date: July 27, 2018 until August 2020
• Where: Bebo Grove Day Use
• Why: Storm water infrastructure improvements by the City of Calgary in the area has required cutting power to the building. The parking area and access road are closed. Paved trail access from Shannon Terrace and Votier’s Flats and the Bebo picnic area remain open.
• Bebo Grove Public Washrooms are closed and will remain closed until the access road is opened to the public.
• UPDATE November 7, 2019: The entrance road to Bebo Grove Day Use Area in Fish Creek Provincial Park will remain closed until August 2020. Yearlong wet weather in 2019 has caused major scheduling delays to the construction of the new City of Calgary Storm Water Ponds. Due to these delays, access road completion and paving could not be completed.
• The public is asked to obey all construction barricades and construction signs until this access road can be completed in the Summer.

• Effective Date: October 10, 2019 until further notice
• Where: local pathway between the Marshall Springs storm water pond and Bridge 5 
• Why: Localized flooding caused by beavers, resulting in pathway damage. The pathway will not be cleared of snow during the closure.

Beavers are good for our environment

• Beavers play an important ecological role in Alberta’s waterways and protected areas. Their dams can create ponds that provide habitat for other wildlife and help surrounding vegetation to flourish. The ponds and wetlands are very good at storing water, and can help reduce the effects of smaller floods and hold water during droughts.

Beavers also present some challenges

• Because conditions are so good, Calgary’s beaver population has grown in recent years. This can cause problems for our forested areas, infrastructure and property, and the beavers themselves.

Alberta Parks’ approach to beaver management

Alberta Parks is trying to strike a balance between health of the surrounding areas and the wellbeing of the beavers.

When required, Alberta Parks uses different measures to protect trees and property. We may use a combination of techniques including:

• Placing metal wiring around tree trunks.
• Increasing the size of culverts.
• Installing pond levellers.
• Rerouting trails.
• Diverting waters appropriately.

• Effective Date: August 14, 2019 until further notice
• Where: Stream Changes Trail
• Why: Stream Changes Trail will have the yellow tactile warning pads that are used at crossing intersections removed while we search for a permanent solution.  In the interim, please use additional caution when approaching these intersections.

• Effective Date: March 2019 – October 2020
• Where: Glennfield Day Use Areas and Parking Lot, Fish Creek Provincial Park
• Why: Upgrades have been completed to Glennfield washrooms, group shelters and associated infrastructure. New landscaping has been freshly seeded and remains muddy and vulnerable to foot traffic while vegetation regrowth occurs.

The entire day use site, including the parking lot, will not be accessible to public until late Fall 2020.

Small group bookings (fewer than 30 people) can begin October 1st. Please note that full services, such as water and washrooms, may not be available during your event. If you are interested in booking please go online at: https://www.albertaparks.ca/albertaparksca/about-us/working-together/special-events/ to fill out an application.

Full operations will resume in 2021 (subject to any applicable health orders and restrictions).

Thank you for respecting the closures and your continued patience. We look forward to welcoming you back when the site is ready.

• Effective Date: Feb 25, 2019 until further notice
• Where: Glennfield washrooms
• Why: Water main issue