Community

At the Calgary Parking Authority, our vision is to become a leader in community involvement so that we can make Calgary better every day.

Community Giving

Sponsorship Program

The CPA's Sponsorship Program funds parking, transportation or mobility related projects within Calgary that benefit members of the community.

The program provides non-profit groups and organizations access to a pool of funding to help complete projects, build community spaces and achieve success. Despite the ongoing pandemic, our program saw a big recovery in applications compared to the previous year.

In 2021 and 2022, we invested almost $65,000 back into Calgary through our Sponsorship Program. Congratulations again to the successful recipients! Our communities will benefit from an accessible pathway in Parkdale, custom bike racks for enthusiasts in Riverbend, crosswalk murals in Crescent Heights and an adaptive skateboard showcase – just to name a few.

Spotlight on CPA

Sponsorships in 2021 & 2022

Community Giving

Accessible Pathway Around Calgary’s First Outdoor Accessible Skating Rink

Parkdale Community Association is revitalizing their community hub and has built Calgary and Alberta’s first outdoor accessible community rink. The CPA is proud to have provided $10,000 via the CPA Sponsorship Program to build an accessible pathway around the existing barrier-free outdoor rink.

The Parkdale Community Rink and Hub will become a gathering place for community members of ALL abilities. People with disabilities have been and are disproportionately impacted by barriers to physical activity and wellness opportunities.

"There are simply no free, accessible options for safe physical activity available for the 10% of Calgarians that identify as having a disability," explains community association President, Amanda Alfonso.

The Parkdale Community Hub will create a free, accessible space for Calgarians of all abilities to gather, connect and play during a time when it is needed most."

The entire community rink facility is accessible, including access from both parking lots to an accessible social area, an accessible building with a dressing room and washrooms, as well as a garage for the Zamboni. We are thrilled to support this accessible outdoor rink that is welcoming, inclusive and will be resilient for the next 30 years.

2022 Sponsorship

BLOX SAFE RIDE/WALK PROGRAM

As a presenting partner of Big Winter Classic March 24 - April 9, 2022 (as part of Chinook Blast), Beltline BIA wanted to ensure all the patrons had a safe and responsible way home. CPA was happy to fund $3,000 for their Safe Ride/Walk Program. The program included a festival-based booking system that was available for 5 of the 7 nights of programming at NO COST to attendees wanting to book a safe ride home.

“On behalf of Beltline Business Improvement Area and its 350 + ratepayers to thank you for the care and support for our “SAFE RIDE” program as part of our Winter City Activations. The CPA grant was directly responsible for over 75 safe rides during our Winter Festival activation, including shuttle rides for artists and attendees alike. Offering a free and safe ride for festival goers was a huge success and would not have been possible without the CPA. We are very thankful for the support helping us create a safer and inclusive downtown for all.”

Adrian Urlacher,
Executive Director, Beltline BIA

2022 Sponsorship

SIGNAGE FOR CAR FREE SUNDAYS

Inglewood BIA received $3,000 for Car Free Sundays (CFS) to invest in attractive signage so that residents and visitors had advance notice and could prepare for detours. The BIA enlisted a grade 3 class at Edgemont Elementary School to do all the artwork for the signs, with an art teacher overseeing the theme and their work. In total, there were four large signs announcing the CFSs at key locations: (1) entering Inglewood from Ramsay. (2) at 9th Avenue at 19th Street SE (4) adjacent to Jack Long Park (4) at the Zoo bridge on the Inglewood side. Unlike so much road signage that contributes to urban blight, the plan was to make beautiful, colorful community signage that could be re-used in years to come.

2022 Sponsorship

BIKE RACK AND REPAIR STATION

The New Brighton Residents Association received $2,500 to improve the biking accessibility of their community pathway system. The pathway works its way through the heart of New Brighton, along a storm pond, bell tower, ball diamonds, soccer fields and a sledding hill. Near the center of this pathway system is a commonly used playground amenity where they installed a new bike repair stand and bike rack combination. By enhancing the pathways by making them more cyclist friendly, the initiative was to aid in their efforts to push for green transportation options locally.

2022 Sponsorship

FAT WHEELS FOR ADAPTED BIKEs PROGRAM

CP Kids & Families is a small grassroots charity that provides family-focused support, resources, programs and opportunities to Calgary area individuals and families affected by Cerebral Palsy and other similar neuromotor disabilities, throughout their life journey. Their flagship Adapted Bike Program has been operating for 20 years, and they’ve seen a significant increase in the number of children with neuromotor disabilities utilizing the program. Over 200 kids with physical challenges came through the Adapted Bike Program between April and May 2022. The $6,000 funding was used to purchase Adapted Training Wheels and Stabilizer Kits to assist riders with balancing the bicycles loaned within this program.

2022 Sponsorship

WALK, RUN, AND WHEEL EVENTS

The Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Southern Alberta (SBHASA) used funding for events that help support Albertans with disabilities. The $2,500 in sponsorship funds went towards event costs, prizing and assisting members with medical supplies and educational needs.

One of the major events was SBHASA’s participation in the Walk and Roll Alberta community challenge, where $500 was used for the prizing awarded for most km's by an individual, most km's by a team and the most km's logged by children under 18.

2022 Sponsorship

BONAVISTA SKATEPARK UPGRADES

The Inside, an organization serving and mentoring youth and young adults of the action sports community, partnered with the Bonavista Downs Community Association to upgrade their skatepark space. Old tennis courts had been designated as a space for youth to skateboard 5 years previously and held high potential as a positive gathering space for youth in the community. The space was in dire need of repair, as many of the ramps were in desperate need to be rebuilt, resheeted or redesigned. The $5,000 went towards a “Community Build Day” where numerous community members and youth came together to help clean the space, rebuild ramps and make improvements for all to enjoy during the summer.

2022 Sponsorship

TRAFFIC CALMING STREET MURALS

The Greenview Industrial BIA wanted to install a traffic calming mural on the streets to decrease speed and increase vibrancy of the area. They received $2,200 to create three mural templates ranging in size and nine were painted on the pavement of 3A and 38th NE street in Greenview. They partnered with Fresh Start Recovery and Burnt Toast Studio to complete the project which was a gratifying way to get their local non-profits involved. The murals have added colour to the streets and put a spark on the map for the local car show festival. It's made walking down the strip more enjoyable and contributes to the goal of making the streets safer for pedestrians.

2022 Sponsorship

ACCESSIBLE RAMP

Sundance Lake Residents Association was looking to install an accessible ramp at their park. The community has experienced an increase in senior demographics and has more families with infants or grandchildren visiting the park that often require mobility aids. As such, the park has visitors with disabilities and/or limited mobility but at the northwest entrance of the park, the closest sidewalk ramp is 465 feet away. The $6,615 sponsorship will go to the installation of a sidewalk ramp at the gate entrance, so that people who are arriving by bus, on foot or car can easily access the sidewalk. This would be for the benefit of all users, not just to the park but for anyone seeking a smooth and safe transition from the road to the sidewalk. The ramp is expected to be completed along with the installation of a new fence in June 2023. (image: artist rendering of future fence and ramp)

2021 Sponsorship

“I LOVE BOWNESS” Bench

With $2,500 in funding from the CPA Sponsorship Program, the Mainstreet Bowness Business Improvement Area (BIA) installed a stunning red and blue ‘I LOVE BOWNESS’ bench. One of the busiest corners in Bowness' eclectic community now has a functional art piece for people to relax and enjoy the lively bustling of people checking out the more than 60 neighbourhood shops, services, and eateries.

“Showing the LOVE and getting active in Bowness is our goal with these projects. We can’t wait to share our functional new art installations with Calgarians who visit our community,” shares Jaqui Esler, Executive Director of Mainstreet Bowness BIA. We love how the multi-purpose bench can be used as a great photo opportunity for humans and their furry friends!

2021 Sponsorship

ACCESSIBLE SKATEBOARD SHOWCASE

Alt Route is an accessible skatepark project that focuses on creating an accessible, inclusive, and diverse skatepark environment. The overall goal is to enable low vision and blind youth the ability to unlock skateboarding for themselves and incorporate this unique skill into a healthy and active lifestyle.

The CPA’s Sponsorship Program provided $1,700 that was used to host an accessible skateboard showcase event to demonstrate Alt Route’s adaptive methods and the opportunity to highlight the ability of youth living with sight loss when they are provided with the right accommodations and environment. Alt Route’s work contributes to a greater global movement that seeks to open the world of skateboarding to diverse user groups including willing, adaptive athletes and we are proud to support this vision.

Community Giving

CPA GIVES

Our employee-driven committee focused on charitable giving, CPA Gives, continued to support community initiatives in 2021 including fundraisers for the United Way, Pink Shirt Day, and International Women’s Day.

Community Giving

UNITED WAY

Once again, CPA employees stepped up to the plate to support one of Calgary’s social change organizations. In 2021, our employees came together to donate and pledge $1,780 to the United Way and its many valued recipients, who are fortunate to receive much needed aid in today’s challenging world.

Community Giving

PINK SHIRT DAY

Employees stepped up and wore their pink shirts – even virtually – in the international fight against bullying. Not just pink – but also lots of ‘green’ to the benefit of Wood’s Home in Calgary. Employees expressed their support for the issue by donating to this renowned health centre that provides treatment and support for children, youth and families with mental health needs.

Community Giving

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

On this important day marking the leadership and strength of all who identify as women, the generosity of CPA employees shone bright as CPA Gives encouraged donations to the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, which provides critical support to women and their children fleeing domestic violence. Employees rose to the occasion with donations in the amount of $1,085.00!

Community Giving

VETERANS’ PARKING PROGRAM

The CPA is proud to recognize veterans for their contributions to creating our great city; veterans are offered $10 monthly parking credits through the Veterans’ Parking Program. We also provide free parking to veterans on Remembrance Day to help recognize their valued service.

A pair of hands making a heart silhouette

Community Giving

DAY OF GIVING

Many of the CPA’s employees give back to their local communities by volunteering with charitable organizations and the CPA wants to support their efforts. The Day of Giving offers one paid day off per year to volunteer with a registered charitable organization of the employee’s choice.

Campaigns

PARK SAFE CAMPAIGN

This campaign reminds motorists of the most common parking issues that occur in and around school and playground zones so they can understand their impact and avoid them.

Community Giving

ALBERTA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL DONATION

For the past 15 years, one of our incredible team members, Mindy Jensen, has coordinated an amazing toy haul for the kids at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. In partnership with a local Canadian Tire store who graciously matches any funds the CPA contributes, this year Mindy had $1,000 to spend. The opportunity to spread cheer to the young ones in hospital during the holiday season is very special to us and has become an activity we look forward to year after year.

Campaigns

DECK THE STALLS CAMPAIGN

After nine years of our annual Holiday Parking Elves campaign and one year of the Pay it Forward campaign, in 2021 we introduced a new pandemic-conscious approach of partnering with Business Improvement Areas/Business Revitalization Zones to reward holiday shoppers and parkers and promote local businesses – the Deck the Stalls! parking credit campaign, which offered $100 in ParkPlus credits to select business areas to use in giveaways as part of their holiday promotions.

Community Giving

PARKPLUS DONATION ZONES

We’ve made it easy for Calgarians to donate to our charity partners, the Calgary Food Bank and Calgary Homeless Foundation at any ParkPlus pay machine or using their MyParking app. By using the dedicated zone numbers: 3663 (FOOD) or 4663 (HOME), these two charities of choice receive one hundred per cent of the money donated to them.

Campaigns

FREE PARKING IN CHINATOWN’S LOT 888

The CPA, The City of Calgary and the Chinatown Business Improvement Association (CBIA) partnered together to offer free two-hour parking for several months beginning in August 2021 as a pilot program in Lot 888 for people to enjoy Chinatown’s rich culture and all it has to offer.

Community Giving

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