What is Xeriscaping?

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Xeriscaping is the practice of designing our boulevards, parks, and islands in such a way as to use as little water as possible. By using native plants, naturalized plants, trees, ground covers, and other features we can create environmentally friendly, attractive, efficient, and cost-effective outdoor space.

What’s Involved in Transitioning to Xeriscaping Landscaping?

Xeriscaping involves the use of multiple strategies to create environmentally friendly and climate appropriate landscapes that are aesthetically pleasing. These can include:

Use native & naturalized plants:

  • Perennials
  • Shrubs
  • Plants providing nectar, seeds and berries for pollinators, insects, birds, animals and people
  • Adapted to local climate

Plant trees to:

  • Provide shade that helps retain ground moisture
  • Act as a wind buffer
  • Create natural air conditions in the summer
  • Control soil erosion
  • Increase property values

Use groundcovers to:

  • Reduce/eliminate mowing requirements by replacing grass with mulch, decorative stones, and low-growing plants like fescues or micro- clover
  • Retain moisture, reduce maintenance, eliminate irrigation, and save money

Foster sustainable water use by:

  • Reducing run-off, maximizing absorption
  • Encouraging water conservation, re use
  • Minimizing water loss and waste

Reduce maintenance by:

  • Minimizing lawn mowing, trimming, pruning, and cultivating etc.
  • Mulching leaves in the fall
  • Reducing or eliminating pesticides/ herbicides
  • Using natural fertilizers
  • Reducing noise, lowering costs, and enabling re-allocation of funds

 

GlenEagles Community Association 2024 AGM – President’s Message

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The AGM will be held at the Links of GlenEagles on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, starting at 7:00 P.M. with doors opening at 6:30 for registration and to visit the information booths set up by our guest presenters. We hope that you will attend as we think that this will be both an informative and exciting meeting!

The AGM

While AGMs typically are a review of the past year, this year’s AGM will focus mostly on the path forward. We will introduce GECA’s Landscaping Strategy and 5-Year Plan that outlines the transition to more sustainable xeriscaping alternatives. Learn about how GECA plans to green with clover, eliminate irrigation, provide opportunities for community engagement, and manage our costs; and how you and your neighbours can Adopt an Island.

We will also have presentations from a concerned citizens group about the Concrete Batch Plant and from Jeromy Farkas, CEO of Glenbow Ranch who will share the potentially “catastrophic” consequences if the Province builds a reservoir at the Glenbow East Dam location.

All of our presenters will be available before and after the formal AGM to hear your concerns and to answer your questions. A social will follow where, in addition to our presenters, you can meet with your Board members and neighbours.

2023 Landscaping Initiatives

As a reminder, GECA maintains the boulevards at the entrances to Highway 1A, GlenEagles East and West, and The Landing. The ToC maintains the islands and parks in GlenEagles East and West and the condominiums each have their own landscaping committee. In 2023 GECA planted additional shrubs and trees on the GlenEagles East boulevard and approved a number of small landscaping projects. We also sent out a landscaping Request for Proposal (RFP) which we are required to do at least once every three years. We are pleased to announce that we have contracted both TJK and LUX Landscaping for the 2024 season.

2023 was a turning point with the Town of Cochrane. Trish Kluane, Manager, Parks and Open Spaces, committed to standardizing mowing and trimming operations, and training staff to meet these standards. Under her guidance the ToC also cleaned up the shrub and tree beds in Murphy Brothers Park, repaired the path where tree roots created safety issues, provided GECA with 20 cubic yards of premium mulch, and watered our newly planted trees to ensure establishment success. Their plans in 2024 are equally ambitious.
Website

GECA worked with a local web designer to build a site to promote GlenEagles and to provide timely relevant information. For example, you will be able to access a web form to apply for the Adopt an Island Program, get AGM updates, and read our newsletters. Want to know the dates of our community workshops? Or see pictures of micro-clover lawns? It’s all there. Check it out at www.geca.ca.

Finances

GECA is in a strong financial position and expects to be able to fund the transition to xeriscaping landscaping alternatives from our savings and existing fees.

Remember the May 15th AGM. We look forward to seeing you there!

Best Regards,
Margaret Blair, President

Concrete Batch Plant

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At their meeting on April 17th, 2024 the Cochrane Planning Commission approved the building permit application for a 2,500 square foot concrete batch plant to be built on the site of the existing gravel pit. The Town of Cochrane (ToC) posted a sign on the roundabout closest to the gravel pit that generated several emails to the Town’s Administration. As a result, the plant owners, Heidelberg Materials, made several changes to their initial plan.

However, there was no forum for in person discussions and it appears that many of our residents were unaware of the proposal until after the Planning Commission approved the permit. There are also many unanswered questions. One of our residents, Paul Trotter, is organizing a group to launch an appeals process. Please click on this link to see Paul’s latest email updates.

Paul and/or a member of the Appeals Team will be speaking at the Gleneagles Community Association’s AGM on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024. We also hope to have a representative from the Town of Cochrane to provide their perspective. An information booth will open prior to the meeting at 6:30 pm and will re-open at 8:30 pm after the AGM to listen to your concerns and to answer your questions.

GECA – Paul Trotter Message – April-24 2024.pdf

Glenbow Ranch Park needs your help

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The provincial government is considering flooding five parks, including Bearspaw and Haskayne Legacy Parks, and Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, to build a new reservoir between Cochrane and Calgary. Glenbow Ranch believes that the “Glenbow East” dam would not only catastrophically impact our parks, but negatively affect our recreation opportunities, wildlife, environmental, and property values.

Jeromy Farkas, CEO Glenbow Ranch Park, will be presenting at the Gleneagles Annual General Meeting on May 15th, 2024 at the Links of Gleneagles starting at 7:00 pm. An information booth will open prior to the meeting at 6:30 pm and will re-open at 8:30 pm after the AGM to listen to your concerns and to answer your questions.

Prior to the AGM residents are encouraged to:

  1. Attend a meeting hosted by the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation from 12:00 -2:00 pm at the Frank Memorial Hall, Cochrane on Saturday, May 4th, 2024
  2. Complete the online Alberta Government survey that is open until May 6th, 2024
    (https://your.alberta.ca/embeds/projects/42565/survey-tools/46119)

Why does GlenEagles need to move to more drought resistant landscaping alternatives?

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Just read some of the recent news headlines. As drought conditions persist, water scarcity and how we prioritize usage is forcing all of us to make difficult decisions. For the Town of Cochrane (ToC) it is about confirming that the irrigation used to water our parks and islands in GlenEagles has been turned off forever. For the GlenEagles Community Association (GECA), it is about how we can create an environmentally friendly, attractive, and cost-effective outdoor space that drastically reduces our reliance on water. For our residents, it is about learning how we can follow GECA’s lead and transition our yards and conserve water.

We all want to cut our costs, reduce our yard maintenance activities like mowing and racking, and have colourful, and dare I say green, landscapes. It is possible – we just have to learn how.

Cochrane Now, Jan 16th, 2024
Drought concerns remain an issue across the Prairies, Alberta takes steps to mitigate the risk

Cochrane Eagle, Feb 26th, 2024
Water experts prepare for serious Alberta drought this summer
Water management experts met in Cochrane to prepare for upcoming drought in Alberta

Cochrane Eagle, March 5,2024
Water resiliency plan for Town
“Several Alberta river basins, including ours, are facing significant drought conditions due to low rainfall, higher temperatures and lower than average snowpack, which are increasing the potential for significant drought conditions in 2024”. Shane Hubl, Director Operation Services

Global News – March 12, 2024
More warm, dry weather in the forecast for Alberta: Environment Canada

Canadian Press, April 19, 2024
Major water users in southern Alberta agree to curb consumption in face of drought

CochraneNow, April 19, 2024
Cochrane will align with water conservation MOU
The Town of Cochrane will align with the recent Alberta government Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), requesting municipalities to reduce water use by five to 10 per cent.

Cochrane Eagle, April 25, 2024
Fire advisory in effect as of April 25
Due to dry weather conditions, the Town of Cochrane has launched a fire advisory that has gone into effect as of noon on April 25.

 

The Kraft Hockeyville

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RALLY TO GET VOTES!!
Cochrane has been officially selected as one of the top 4 finalists for The Kraft Hockeyville grand prize of $250,000 plus the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season hockey game!!!

The voting opens 7am, March 29 and closes 3pm, March 30.

Between today and when the voting opens, we need YOUR HELP to let everyone know of these dates! You can vote as many times as you want!!! Spread the word with your families, work colleagues, friends, customers, business partners – anyone over the age of 14 can vote! Use your social accounts, your shop windows – the more support we get, the more chance we have of winning!

Share today, tomorrow and the next day!!
Watch out for us in the community as we head out to rally!
For more details: krafthockeyville.ca

#KraftHockeyville #SupportLocalHockey #CochranePride #cochrane_now #cochranealberta #yyc #cochranemoms #cochranemomscomingtogether #cochranedads #cochranefamilies #visitcochrane #cochranecommunitywellness #supportlocalcochrane #townofcochrane #CBC #Sportsnet

 

Sports and Recreation Opportunities in Cochrane

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Are you interested in sports and recreation opportunities in Cochrane? The ToC has established The Cochrane Sport & Recreation Interagency Group to facilitate collaboration and coordination among various sport and recreation groups within our community. Committee members will share information, generate new ideas, participate in training, explore partnership opportunities, and have a direct pipeline to Council through the Parks and Recreation Committee. Meetings will be held quarterly with the first meeting scheduled for April 26th from noon to 2:00 pm, and lunch will be provided. If interested, please send an email to info@geca.ca.

Envision Cochrane 2050

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Your voice matters! Envision Cochrane 2050 provide opportunities for everyone in Cochrane to have a say in how our community lives, works, plays and thrives. This process will lead to a new Municipal Development Plan to guide municipal growth, infrastructure and servicing needs and land use for the next 25 years.

Phase 1 focused on generating a vision for Cochrane’s future, and included questions on Cochrane’s identity, livability, open spaces and natural areas, vibrant economy and connectivity.

Phase 2 of the survey has been launched and is focused on arts, culture, parks & recreation. Please visit https://www.letstalkcochrane.ca/envision to participate in the survey by March 17, 2024.

Upgrade the Wearmouth Park Playground

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Do your children or grandchildren use the playground in Wearmouth Park? The ToC plans to upgrade the Wearmouth Park playground in 2025. We are looking for volunteers to work with the ToC to finalize plans and to submit grant applications for costs in excess of $75,000. If interested, please send an email to info@geca.ca.

The Gleneagles Cochrane Block Watch Community (Facebook) Page

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Once you decide to move to GlenEagles, take a few minutes to answer the membership questions and join he GlenEagles Block Watch Community Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GlenEagles.BlockWatch.Page

This is a private Facebook site for GlenEagles’ residents only. Currently there are over 600 members who use the page to share information and photos, as well as to post as daily events unfold.