Calgary

A Calgary man saw the need for benches at his local off-leash park. So he built 6

Using leftover wood from previous projects, Simon Grabowski handcrafted six benches for the Oakridge off-leash area after noticing a need for the community.

Residents say the benches add to the park's community feel

Perch for your pooch: Why this dog lover added handcrafted benches in an off-leash park

1 year ago
Duration 1:56
Some meticulously handmade wooden park benches have popped up in an off-leash area in the southwest community of Oakridge. Residents love them, but for the creator, it's just a way of doing what he's good at and building community spirit.

Something was missing from the narrow strip of land that makes up the off-leash area near Oakridge in southwest Calgary.

The long stretch of land adjacent to Oakmount Drive connects communities, families and their dogs who often frequent the area to walk. 

But there was nowhere to sit.

So Simon Grabowski — a woodworker who lives the park's neighbouring community — decided to do something about it. 

"The motivation was there's more reasons to do it than not," he said. "There was definitely a need, there's senior [citizens] here, you should see them, walking with their sticks … but they still got to walk their dog."

Using leftover wood from previous projects, Grabowski handcrafted six benches for the park so those who need a place to take a rest can do so. 

A man sits on a bench in a field with a dog  lying in front of him.
Simon Grabowski, with his dog Bruno, sits on one of the six benches he built for the off-leash area near Oakridge in southwest Calgary. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

The benches are all designed differently. Some are more artistic and took around a week to make, with carvings and and markings in the wood.

Others are more simple and took a few hours to craft. They bare the names Winston and Bruno — Grabowski's late dog and his current companion.

They all, however, have been received well.

A bench with engravings is pictured.
One of the benches that Grabowski made for the park. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

People have been sending him emails thanking him for the work he's done. He's also seen people take pictures of the some of the benches that he's made.

"I think they're great for the community, they're well-built and nice looking," said Sarah Weatherdon.

"It gives people more of a chance to sit and chat and drink their coffee and let their dogs play together."

A park bench is pictured.
A more artistic bench that Grabowski made for the park. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

For 20 years, Weatherdon has frequented the off-leash area, walking her own dogs there for the first 15 years, and has walked dogs for other people with Calgary Dog Walk for the last five.

She says the benches are a good way to promote community and being outside. But some residents expressed the worry that the benches might get removed, since the park is managed and maintained by the city, and it wasn't a city-commissioned project.

A spokesperson with the city of Calgary told CBC News that they would like to meet with the Grabowski and talk to him to figure out what they'll be doing with the benches moving forward.

Dogs and humans are pictured.
Dog walkers and community members have been appreciative of the newly-added benches. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Omar Sherif

Multiplatform Journalist

Omar Sherif (AR: عمر شريف) is a journalist with CBC Calgary who works in video and digital. He covers stories about culture, sports, local affairs and diverse communities in the city. You can reach him at omar.sherif@cbc.ca for tips or story ideas.

With files from Taylor Braat