RECL2019 Burnco
Sand and gravel being hauled to nearby processing plants. August 1983
In the early 1950s, J. F. Burns, a pioneer Calgary contractor, set about to purchase 350 acres of land including Carburn Park. Acquisition of the land was completed in 1959 by an associated holding company, Carburn Aggregates. Gravel mining began on the lands east of the present Carburn park in 1960. The following year, the land was annexed to The City of Calgary and in 1973 BURNCO began mining operations at the location of Carburn Park.
The mining operation was subsequently suspended when municipal and provincial governments voiced their concerns about the environmental sensitivity of the area. The City then obtained ownership by trading some mined-out adjoining land and allowing Carburn Aggregates to consolidate its remaining property in the area. This arrangement did not allow BURNCO access to the valuable gravel reserves.
In 1982, BURNCO resurrected the subject of recovering the valuable gravel reserves. In consultation with Alderman Gordon Shrake, BURNCO formulated an acceptable proposal beneficial to both BURNCO and the community. It would mine 800,000 tonnes of gravel from a nine-hectare section of the park. In return, BURNCO would construct a family-oriented park including two recreational lakes, pathways, picnic area, washrooms, a playground, landscaping, parking and access roads, without any cost to The City of Calgary.
A committee was formed and discussions were expanded to fully acquaint the citizens in the area with all aspects of the proposal. It was imperative to obtain the active support of the citizens and their representatives.
Once approval was obtained, the committee submitted oral and written submissions to the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. The community association also worked with BURNCO to secure the cooperation and involvement of Cirrus Land Corporation Ltd, who were in the process of developing Riverbend.
Final approval was granted on November 29, 1982 and today Carburn Park is an ideal recreational area that features a wildlife preservation area on approximately 100 acres of the 135 acre park, including a waterfowl preservation habitat.
Alberta Environment’s “Bucks for Wildlife” program contributed funds to adapt the lakes by deepening the lake area excavations and recontouring the shoreline and lake bottoms. The lakes are stocked annually with 5,000 trout by Alberta Fish and Wildlife.
An excavator loads gravel trucks. August 1983
Fishing facilities are available to the handicapped and children along the grassy banks of the lake where fishing derbies, sponsored by Parks and Recreation, are a popular summer event.
A two acre lagoon has been designed for paddle boating in the summer and ice skating throughout the winter months. Adjacent to one of the larger lakes, picnic facilities for up to 95 families include barbecue pits, picnic shelters, children’s play areas and washrooms.
Bicycle paths and walkways are evident throughout the park with some paths connecting to extended cycling paths throughout the City.
The history of Carburn Park is impressive in that it was molded not only by industry and government, but by the residents of the area; and Riverbend residents are fortunate to have such visible results right in their own backyard.
Carburn Park’s large Lagoon. June 2009
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