Nose Hill Park

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Satellite photo of Nose Hill

Nose Hill Park, is the largest municipal park in Canada, is located in the northwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is a natural environment park, commonly regarded as a retreat from city life and a place to enjoy nature.

1 Size & location
2 Environment
3 History
4 Recent Events
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Size & location

Location of Nose Hill in Calgary

11.27 km²
4.8 km from North to South
4.0 km from East to West

It is bordered on the South by John Laurie Blvd. N.W., to the West by Shaganappi Tr. N.W., on the East by 14 St. N.W., and on the North by the community of MacEwan.

[edit] Environment

Nose Hill's relatively flat summit

Sensitive vegetation, terrain, and archeological sites exist within the park. It contains a significant native rough fescue grassland ecosystem and over 66 native vascular plant species have been found on the hill including parry oatgrass, prairie crocus, golden bean, bedstraw, and sage.

Grasslands of this nature are considered endangered in North America because more than 95% have been lost to cultivation, tree encroachment, pollution, and development. The grassland is one of 7 major native habitat types on the hill which together provide an excellent habitat for a variety of animals. Over 198 wildlife species have been identified on the hill.

[edit] History

The origin of the hill's name is unclear but common legend tells of a European explorer asking an aboriginal translator the name of the hill seen far off in the distance. The man replied: Nose Hill is the name it was given because from here it resembles the nose of our chief.

In December 1779 a well-known Hudson's Bay Company trader, Peter Fidler, recorded an excursion to the hill he went on with Peigan guides. HBC trader David Thompson wintered at a Peigan encampment on the Bow River in 1787-1788, and in 1800 returned to the area as a North-West Company employee. In his journal for the year, Thompson made specific note of Nose Hill.

[edit] Recent Events

As of May 2005 there has been much dispute as to the future of the park. The City of Calgary is planning to reduce the 300 km of trails to near 60 km (half of them will be paved) and restrict access to only 35% of the park's area.^[1]