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
Webinar
March 25, 2026 from noon-1 p.m. | We hosted an online webinar with project team who will answered your questions following a presentation.
Get Involved
Events
April 13, 2026, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. | Talk to our project teams and share your voice at a family-friendly community information night at Canmore Brewing Company. Drop in anytime.
Online survey
March 17-April 17, 2026 | Take our short online survey that will help us understand your current experiences and future aspirations to enhance and expand these spaces.
Interactive map
March 17-April 17, 2026 | Add a pin to our interactive map to show us where there are issues, barriers, or opportunities in our existing park and trail network. We are aware of some ongoing technical difficulties for some users. We are working on resolving the issue with our platform provider. If needed, we may extend the submission window.
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.
Contact
To learn more, contact us at communications@canmore.ca
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Take Survey
We are updating the Open Space and Trails Plan, along with the Open Space Development Guidelines. These two documents guide where our parks, open spaces, and trails are located, and how they are designed, used and developed. This update will bring a revised direction together into one comprehensive guiding document.
Our parks, open spaces and trails are integral to Canmore’s identity and essential to the health and well-being of the community. These spaces provide areas for recreation, relaxation, and connection to nature, while fostering Canmore’s social and cultural fabric by providing places to gather, connect, and celebrate.
If you want more information before taking our survey, visit our project website to learn more and review supporting materials.
About This Survey
This anonymous survey consists of 19 questions and should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. This survey will help us understand:
- What you value most about Canmore’s parks, open spaces, and trails
- What we could improve
- Whether you support the proposed guiding principles
- If there are any barriers that affect how you use and enjoy these spaces
- If there anything missing from our open spaces or trail system
We will consider and reflect your feedback as we update the plan along with other engagement feedback, existing plans, policy, and bylaws, and other analysis.
Your Privacy is Important
The personal information being collected is used for the purpose of operating a program or activity of the public body. Collection is authorized under section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and is managed and protected in accordance with the Act. For questions about collection, contact the Town of Canmore Municipal Clerk's Office at municipalclerk@canmore.ca or 403.678.1550.
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