Bowness, Alberta

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Location of Bowness in Calgary

Bowness is a community district in west Calgary. It was an autonomous town until 1964, when it was annexed by Calgary.

The neighbourhood is bordered by the Bow River on the north and Stoney Trail on the west.

As of 2006, the community had a population of 11,038, a 0.27% increase from 2005^[1].

On the northwest end of the community is one of Calgary's most popular parks, Bowness Park. The park sits between the Bow River and a lagoon, and is popular for picnics, summer sports, ice skating in the winter, and boating. It is also part of the city's large pedestrian pathway network.

Residents of the area are called "Bownesians" (Bow-NEE-zhins). This designation is a local term and is often used for comedic effect.

1 History
- 1.1 Bowness today
2 Education
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

The area was first occupied as a ranch in about 1896^[2].

John Hextall was responsible for the plans that led to the development of the village, which later grew to a town before annexation.

[edit] Bowness today

Since Bowness was annexed, it has had to cope with a number of social issues. Because it began as an autonomous community, Bowness lacks much of the homogeneity of many of Calgary's newest suburban neighbourhoods. As a result, Bowness is a far more dynamic and interesting community than most of those on Calgary's outskirts. Unfortunately, this has also contributed to socioeconomic problems in the community (including crime^[3]), which is home to both wealthy and disadvantaged residents. A marked difference can be seen between the well-off homes along the Bow River, for example, and the former military housing just a few blocks away.

[edit] Education

Bowness High School

Most public senior high school students from the community attend Bowness High School, which was built before the annexation. Junior high and elementary schools include Thomas B. Riley Junior High, Belevedere Parkway Elementary, Bowcroft Elementary, and R. B. Bennett Elementary. There is also one K-12 Catholic school, Our Lady of the Assumption.