Calgary Parklands - Elbow River Pathway, Glenmore Reservoir

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The ice on the Glenmore Reservoir shone brilliantly in reflection of the blue sky, highlighting the distant snow-capped mountains. Along a forested part of the path, chick-a-dees shouted their demands for attention, although not one showed itself for our curious cameras. The adjacent Rockyview Hospital shone peaceful in the bright sunlight.

A quick march over Glenmore Trail and through Bel-Aire brought us to the operational edge of the Reservoir. Atop the dam was a new pedestrian walkway that seemingly invites many walkers, if the number of mothers with strollers was a good indicator. As the path ascended, we had a good stare at the Golf and Country Club, greens still in protective coverings. At the top of the path was the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant , converting our waste water into potable water. The facility’s long history and modern functions were displayed on sign boards. The handsome red-brick Art Deco architecture of the original 1933 building was echoed in the buildings constructed as Calgary grew.

At a memorial bench on the escarpment overlooking the valley, the reservoir and the dam, we stopped to recognize Joanne Steinley, a former hiking coordinator in Skrastins, who always had a smile on her face. Lorraine spoke lovingly about her life of community service.

A few of us went on towards Sandy Beach , a few started the return walk, and most of us continued on the main path, deciding to turn around when our walk would total nearly 9 km. With the sun on our faces as we returned, we happily set up our lawn chairs facing the reservoir and mountains to eat sandwiches and greet walkers, dogs and kids passing by.

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Photos

Original Glenmore Plant 1933
Classic architecture

Glenmore Reservoir
Heritage Park boarding the Reservoir

Glenmore Reservoir
Rocky Mountain background

Rockyview Hospital
hospital with parkade

Snow-covered Rocky Mountains
Gleaming light

Crossing Glenmore Trail at 14 Street SW
Safely above the fray!

Glenmore Dam
Striding to cross the dam

Glenmore Dam pedestrian way
Wide enough for bikes too

Not far from downtown
A long-lived facility from the 1930s into the future

Glenmore Water Treatment Plant
New fused to historic

Duration 2000 by Peter von Tiesenhausen
In pieces yet unified

Ode to a water vessel
Duration 2000 by Peter von Tiesenhausen

Glenmore Dam outflow
Volume varies by the needs of the city

Glenmore Dam
Little outflow on this day

Snowy Mountain backdrop
Optical illusion - the mountains are 80 kilometres away

Comments

[Isabel Gibson]

I don't believe that I've ever seen/noticed the Glenmore Reservoir frozen over. It's striking, especially with the backdrop of mountains. As for the treatment plant, I'm always pleased when I see some connection between old and new architecture That requires two things: for the architects to do it, and for them to do it in such a way that even my untutored eyes *can* see it.

[beentouring]

Glenmore Dam
The reservoir is impressive in all seasons. The plant's architecture defies its mundane purpose.

[Larry Parnes]

Glenmore Treatment Plant
I was a little confused at first as I confused a treatment plant with a waste water treatment plant. When I was still working, we had a big project for a water treatment plant in Van Courtlandt Park to further treat water from the Croton Aqueduct to meet Federal Standards. The public review process contributed to delays in the project which finally went online in 2015, after I retired. I suppose the Glenmore Plant didn't have to go through such a process. Is the area surrounding the plant parkland? Just finished a novel "Embrace of the Wild" which is based on the early writings of Isabella Bird was who the first woman travel writer and first woman elected to the British Geographic Society. Is she someone you know about?

[beentouring]

Glenmore Treatment Plant
Indeed, all around the plant and the dam is beautiful parkland. Isabella Bird is new to me, and I will read her books. Thanks!