Bowness, Calgary

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bowness
other_name =
settlement_type = Neighbourhood


imagesize = 200px
image_caption = Aerial view of Bowness
city_logo =
citylogo_size =


mapsize =
map_caption =
image_dot_

---

dot_mapsize = 250px
dot_map_caption = Location of Bowness in Calgary
dot_x = 54|dot_y = 79
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = AB
subdivision_type2 = City
subdivision_name2 = flag|Calgary
subdivision_type3 = Quadrant
subdivision_name3 = NW
subdivision_type4 = Ward
subdivision_name4 = 1
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Administrative body
leader_name = Calgary City Council
leader_title1 = Alderman
leader_name1 = Dale Hodges
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
established_title = Established
established_date = 1896
established_title2 = Annexed
established_date2 = 1963
area_magnitude =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =
population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_total = 11038
population_density_km2 =
population_blank1_title = Average Income
population_blank1 = $40468
timezone =
utc_offset =
latd= 51|latm= 05|lats= 28|latNS= N|longd= 114|longm= 11|longs= 57|longEW= W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 1080
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =
blank_name =
blank_info =
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website = [http://www.calgaryarea.com/nw/bowness/bowness.htm Bowness Community Association]
footnotes = 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 east, 16th Avenue on the south, and Stoney Trail on the west. Immediately over the river to the east lies the community of Montgomery, itself an autonomous town until Calgary annexed it in 1963.

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. To the south-east, it is bordered by Edworthy Park.

Bowness is represented in the Calgary City Council by Ward 1 Alderman Dale Hodges. Residents of the area are called "Bownesians" ("Bow-NEE-zhins"). This designation is a local term and is often used for comedic effect.

The community has an area redevelopment plan in place.Cite web| url= http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/planning/pdf/1714_bowness_arp_part1of10.pdf | title=Bowness Area Redevelopment Plan| author=City of Calgary Planning| year=2005| accessdate= 2007-05-09]

History

The area was first occupied as a ranch in about 1896 [ [http://www.bownesshistoricalsociety.com/ Bowness Historical Society] ] .

John Hextall was responsible for the plans that led to the development of the village, which later grew to a town. Hextall planned to develop the area into an exclusive bedroom community. In 1911, Hextall donated some of his land to the city, receiving in return street-car acces to Bowness. [Cite web|url= http://www.calgarycommunities.com/communities/bowness.php | title= Bowness Community Association | author= Calgary Communities| accessdate= 2005-05-14]

It was annexed to the City of Calgary in 1963.

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. Unfortunately, this has also contributed to socioeconomic problems in the community (including crime [ [http://www.calgarypolice.ca/facts/stats.html Calgary Police] - Crime Statistics by community] ), 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.

Demographics

In 2006 the neighbourhood had a population of 11,038.Cite web| url=http://www.calgary.ca/DocGallery/BU/cityclerks/popcomparisonbycomm.pdf | author= City of Calgary | title= Community Population Comparison | year=2006 | accessdate= 2007-05-09] Residents in this community had a median household income of $40,468 in 2000, and there were 24.1% low income residents living in the neighborhood.Cite web| url= http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/cns/community_social_statistics/ward_1_profile.pdf | title=Ward 1 Profile| author=City of Calgary| year=2004| accessdate= 2007-05-09] As of 2000, 12.7% of the residents were immigrants. A proportion of 30.9% of the buildings were condominiums or apartments, and 45.6% of the housing was used for renting.Cite web| url= http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/cns/community_social_statistics/bowness.pdf| title= Bowness Community Statistics| author= City of Calgary | year= 2006 | accessdate= 2007-05-09]

Education

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 (closed in 2004). There is also one K-9 Catholic school, Our Lady of the Assumption.

ee also

*List of neighbourhoods in Calgary

References

External links

* [http://www.calgaryarea.com/nw/bowness/bowness.htm Bowness Community Association Info Site]

Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way)
Northwest =

---