City of Calgary. Parks & Recreation Department

City of Calgary. Parks & Recreation Department

The Calgary Parks and Recreation Department had numerous name changes over time. Known as the Parks Department until 1942, it became the Parks and Playgrounds Department from then until 1948, and the Parks, Cemeteries and Playgrounds Department until 1954. From 1954 until 1960, it was the Parks, Cemeteries and Recreation Department, when it became the Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries until 1966. Since then, it has been the Parks and Recreation Department. While the name of the department has changed regularly, its basic functions did not change remarkably until recent decades. Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, the departments' organizational structure was changed regularly, and became more complex. The purpose of the Parks Committee established in 1909 was "to manage and control the parks, boulevards and cemeteries within the City." The concept of recreation and a belief in its importance gained ground after World War 1939-1945 and was most evident in the 1960s and beyond. This expanded the scope of the department and is reflected in the name changes, title changes and the enlargement of park areas. However, the department was still responsible for the operation and maintenance of the city's' parks, boulevards, playgrounds and cemeteries. For more information regarding the City of Calgary, Parks & Recreation Department administrative history, please link to the City of Calgary Archives homepage and click on the "fonds level descriptions" link.

City of Calgary, Corporate Records, Archives