The Town of High River, 30 minutes South of Calgary, still retains much of its distinctive small town character and provides residents with a high quality physical environment and an enviable way of life. This study was commissioned by the town to provide principles and ideas for town development that would recognize the importance of parks, streets and open spaces.
Over time, the character and quality of the parks, streets and other components of the public realm of High River have evolved, and in some cases deteriorated. A comprehensive plan was developed that considered the river corridor and its associated open spaces as the generating element of ‘green infrastructure’ around which a network of streets, parks and plazas would be conceived. This innovative approach to open space planning involved a historical evolution analysis, development of a typology of open spaces (including street types), design of an overall plan, including some detailed site plans, development of strategies for acquisition of new parks and guidelines for maintenance of existing, as well as an urban forest strategy. Development of the plan was done in conjunction with a committee
