Open Spaces and Trails Plan
Overview
We are integrating and updating the Open Spaces Design Guidelines (OSDG) and Open Spaces and Trails Plan (OSTP) into a single, comprehensive planning document that will provide clear, consistent direction for the future of our parks, open spaces, and trails. This plan does not include recreational amenities, such as sporting facilities, which are covered under our Recreation Master Plan.
Context
Our parks and open spaces are integral to Canmore’s identity and essential to the health and well-being of the community. These spaces not only provide areas for recreation, relaxation, and connection to nature, they also foster Canmore’s social and cultural fabric by providing places to gather, connect, and celebrate community events.
It has been 10 years for the OSTP and 20 years for the OSDG reviews and updates. Much has changed in our community since those plans were updated. Our community has grown in population, visitation has increased, trails and open space planning and development have evolved, the Palliser Trail ASP, and Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek ASP’s have been approved, and we have developed, updated or is in the process of updating other related master plans and strategies.
The Province of Alberta also recently released a draft trails plan called the Canmore and Area Trails Master Plan (CATMP). This project being led by the Province with input from various interest holders, including the Town of Canmore. It addresses trails on provincial lands primarily located outside of our municipal boundary. This is a separate project from the OSTP.
Get Informed
- Read the Open Spaces and Trails Plan Background Report
- Read the existing Open Spaces and Trails Plan
- Read the existing Open Spaces Design Guidelines
- Watch our webinar. We hosted an online webinar on March 25, 2026 as part of our first round of engagement where you can hear from our roject team who answered your questions following a presentation.
What We Heard Report Now Available
Thank you to everyone who participated in Phase 1 engagement for the Open Spaces and Trails Plan. This What We Heard Report summarizes the key themes, ideas, and priorities shared during the Visioning Phase, which took place from March to April 2026. We received more than 1,364 contributions from residents, community organizations, industry associations, and businesses, including 471 online survey responses and 600 submissions to our interactive digital map from 147 individual contributors. The report provides a detailed overview of the feedback received and will help inform future planning for Canmore's parks, open spaces, trails, and natural areas.
Read the What We Heard report here.
Note: We have received feedback that the What We Heard report is not displaying correctly on mobile devices. We are aware of the issue and are actively working to identify and resolve it as quickly as possible.
Get Involved
We will share all upcoming opportunities to learn more about the project and share your perspective on this webpage. You can also subscribe for direct updates on this project by subscribing to the project newsletter on the right hand banner.
How We Will Use Your Input
This is the first phase of engagement for this project.
We are seeking to confirm the overall goals and principles that guide our open spaces and trails and to understand current public experiences and future aspirations to enhance and expand these spaces to meet the needs of our changing community.
We will consider and reflect input in the final plan that needs to be complete by December 2026 when it goes to council for adoption.
