Explore our vibrant outdoor amenities and learn more about some of the exciting new projects underway in our communities.
Spring is just around the corner, which means that parks, pathways and green spaces throughout Calgary and Airdrie will soon be teeming with individuals and families who want to get out and enjoy the fresh air and warmer weather. At Genesis Land, we’re dedicated to creating inviting and inclusive green spaces for people of all ages and abilities.
“We prioritize accessibility, walkable pathways, and age-appropriate playgrounds to ensure our spaces are functional and enjoyable for all,” says Paige Zeleny, a development coordinator here at Genesis Land.
The green spaces in our communities are also meant to inspire an appreciation of nature, which is why they’re designed with sustainability in mind. “We collaborate with top landscape architects who select diverse native plant species suited to the Alberta climate,” explains Zeleny, who holds a Red Seal in landscape horticulture.
“We focus on hardy trees like elms and ash that provide long-term shade and canopy cover. We also plant a variety of flowering trees in our parks and open spaces to help support local insect and bee populations.”
Indeed, the Genesis Land team works hard to ensure that all of our parks and green spaces are both sustainable and unique. “We’re committed to adding distinctive features to our outdoor spaces,” says Zeleny.
Whether it’s exploring the open-air art installations in Logan Landing, experiencing the wheelchair-accessible bike track in Bayview, or trying out the playground zipline in Huxley, there’s always something special to discover and enjoy in our shared outdoor spaces.
Bridging two communities
Of course, when it comes to distinctive outdoor features, the canals that weave through our Bayview and Bayside neighbourhoods can’t be beat. And this spring, as residents are out strolling or cycling along these waterways, we’ll be moving forward with the construction of a new bridge that will cross over one of the larger canals to provide a convenient and much-anticipated connection between Bayview and Bayside.
According to Genesis Land Development Manager Dan Pochapsky, the bridge, which will serve both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, is a critical addition to the area’s infrastructure. “This is a fundamental link between the two communities,” he says. “Rather than having to drive out of your way to one of the main collector roads to get from Bayview to Bayside, the two areas will finally be linked.”
Spanning around 50 metres, this new bridge will not only facilitate traffic flow, it will also enhance the appeal of both communities. “People will notice that aesthetic elements from both neighbourhoods will be incorporated into the bridge’s design,” Pochapsky says. “And at night, the bridge will be illuminated, offering a striking visual that bounces off the water and serves as a focal point for the area.”
Construction of the bridge is already underway, but Pochapsky says the work won’t disrupt regular pedestrian or vehicular activity in either community. “The location of the bridge is actually in a future development area for both of these communities (Phase 5 of Bayview and Phase 16 of Bayside). There’s no traffic right now,” he explains. “We’ll be building out the adjacent areas around the bridge as well—the roadways and sidewalks. The idea is that in late fall 2026, the supporting areas and the bridge will open all at once, so as not to inconvenience anybody.”
Building better access
As bridge construction moves ahead in Bayview and Bayside, an upgrade to another key traffic connector—the Airport Trail interchange in northeast Calgary— is slated to begin in late spring. This is an exciting project for the Genesis Land team because the overpass, when completed, will allow for direct access to the OMNI, our new master-planned hub in Rocky View County.
Strategically located just east of Stoney Trail and Airport Trail, the OMNI will bring a variety of amenities to an area that has been lacking retail and entertainment options for years.
“The OMNI will have it all,” says Brendan McCashin, vice president of land development at Genesis Land. “It’s envisioned as a one-of-a-kind destination retail centre offering an array of shops, restaurants and services.”
Currently, the interchange at Airport Trail does not provide access east to the OMNI, so the addition of the overpass is a crucial step in ensuring that shoppers and visitors will be able to reach this new retail destination with ease.
Significant progress on the project has already been made, with the engineering and design of the overpass now complete and approved by the province. As for next steps, the interchange project will go to tender, with construction scheduled to begin in May 2025.
The overall OMNI development is also on track. With plans to begin retail construction in 2026, the OMNI promises to transform the area into a bustling, mixed-use shopping and residential destination in the coming years.
