City pays $3.1M for additional land near WinSport for future park

A recently released document shows the City of Calgary has paid two people $3.1 million for land that will be added to its planned Paskapoo Slopes park.

That park is to be just east of WinSport and south of the new Trinity Hills residential/commercial development along the Trans-Canada Highway.

When city council approved the zoning for that development in 2015, it agreed to acquire 160 acres (65 hectares) along the Paskapoo Slopes for a future park.

Earlier this year, the city completed the purchase of nearly 6.5 acres (2.6 hectares) of land that is adjacent to the park space.

A document indicates it intends to use the land "to provide an extension to the Paskapoo Slopes park area."

The city's assessment website shows the land has an assessed value of $2.9 million.

Councillor welcomes purchase

The city councillor for the area, Richard Pootmans, tells CBC News he's pleased the city was able to buy the land.

"Those opportunities don't frequently present themselves and this was a great chance to secure a great well-known and used natural area park," said Pootmans.

"It would be premature to comment on any plans for this area as the land was just acquired and preliminary discussions are now taking place to look at what any long-term plans may look like for this area."

Pootmans noted the park's development is unfunded and it remains to be seen if money will be included in the city's upcoming four-year budget plan. 

Budget documents will be released in November.

The Paskapoo land has been used informally by hikers and mountain bikers in recent years.

The city's website states that the future park "is an exciting opportunity to formally recognize the area's cultural and natural value." 

The parcel of land acquired to be added to the future park is located at 390 Piita Rise S.W. Besides a wooded area and a private residence, it had been home to the Highland Shoppe.