Inglewood Bird Sanctuary proposal irks Calgary nature advocates

A Calgary Parks project that includes the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is starting to draw criticism from nature advocates who say any development could hurt the integrity of the sanctuary.

The "Bend in the Bow"project is a proposalto connectthe sanctuary with nearby riverfront landsto make a regional park that would be more accessible for visitors.

That isn't sitting well with a Nature Calgary board member.

"Preservation should dominate, basically any sort of development there, but that doesn't seem to be occurring with Bend in the Bow," said JohnMcFaul.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Calgary sausage maker pulls product with possible E. coli contamination
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Calgary's history of fancy parties shatters Cowtown stereotype

"There's really a focus on developing it and that's going to be to the detriment of the sanctuary for sure."

The sanctuary reopened in Julyafter repairs from the 2013 flood.

The proposal for "Bend in the Bow" is broken down into two phases.Phase one includes the sanctuary and the Inglewood Wildlands.Phase two includesPearceEstate Park locatedjust to thenorth. That'swhere active developments like adding playgrounds or picnic areas are being considered.

But McFaul says any changes that would encourage more visitors to the sanctuary could be harmful to the birds who would typically choose to nest there in the summer.

"The birds who are migrating through maybe have to pass over the area because it's not as secure they don't feel quite as safe, so [they are]moving into other areas."

Jim Klimes is the landscape architect andproject manager with the City of Calgary. He says conserving the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is high priority.

"We are not looking to do a lot of changes there. We recognize that's a very special area, we are mindful of the footprint that we would leave in that area."

Klimes says stakeholder meetings are underway including with groups like Nature Calgary.

Public consultations sessions will be held sometime in the spring.