The City of Calgary is moving forward with plans to repair the Douglas Fir Trail in Edworthy Park. Detailed design work, led by Thurber Engineering, is underway in 2026 to improve slope stability, manage surface water, address drainage issues, and explore targeted realignments for better long-term safety and durability. A separate slope stabilization project on a 150-metre section, which began in September 2025, continues and is expected to finish by December 2026.
The trail, located on a steep slope with loose soil and weak rock, has faced ongoing challenges from erosion, water damage, and instability since its construction in the 1960s. A 2024–2025 assessment of the roughly 1.5 km trail found 991 metres in good condition, 228 metres fair, and 275 metres poor. Parts of the trail and the adjacent Bow River Regional Pathway remain closed for public safety and to support construction. Full reopening depends on securing funding for broader repairs through the 2027–2030 budget cycle, with City Council decisions expected in November 2026.
Calgarians will have opportunities to provide input starting in May 2026 through online and in-person engagement activities. Feedback will help shape priorities around safety, environmental protection, trail experience, durability, and accessibility. A short pre-engagement phase launched in late April to gather preferences on participation methods. Residents can sign up for project updates or email douglasfirtrail@calgary.ca with questions.
