The Town of Okotoks is inviting business and community members to learn about and participate in shaping the future of our Downtown’s Next Chapter initiative through community engagement events on the Our Plan for Downtown and Picture Our Parks projects.
- Our Plan for Downtown: The Town is developing a comprehensive plan to guide private and public space redevelopment in our downtown. This plan will leverage existing studies and past community feedback to establish the policy foundation for a cohesive and vibrant downtown area. The Town will ask for community feedback during the upcoming engagement opportunity.
- Picture Our Parks: Along with the downtown improvements, the Town is upgrading Triangle and Pisttoo Parks. The redesign of these parks will provide welcoming, inclusive spaces for community members and connect seamlessly with the downtown improvements. The Town is working on design concepts for both parks and will ask for community feedback during the upcoming engagement opportunity.
"The idea of elevating Okotoks’ downtown and the surrounding parks into lively gathering places is exciting. It's about creating a sense of community pride and boosting economic growth for years to come," said Tanya Thorn, Okotoks Mayor.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is an essential part of this process. The Town is dedicated to keeping business and community members well-informed through online information and providing opportunities to provide feedback and ask questions. The first open house will provide information on the Our Plan for Downtown and Picture Our Parks projects, and ask for feedback on progress so far.
Enhancing the streetscape of main street (Elizabeth, McRae & North Railway Streets) is also part of the downtown improvement project. Design concepts are being worked on and will be shared with the community in the coming months. Community engagement on design elements will be coming later this year. Also this year, the Daggett Street parking area along the CPKC rail tracks, will be paved to increase parking capacity by approximately 70 stalls. Reverse angle parking will also be piloted to improve safety.
Upcoming Open House & Online Engagement
An Open House is scheduled for June 18, 2024 between 4 – 8 p.m., at the Okotoks Art Gallery (53 North Railway Street). If you cannot attend this event, you can engage online from June 18 – July 2, 2024 on the project website; where more information on this first engagement will be coming soon.
“The questions and feedback we receive through our engagements are extremely important. The input we receive will be considered by the Town as we move to the next stage of each project.” added Mayor Thorn.
The Town is working on these major downtown projects to create improved viability for businesses, economic growth, place making and accessibility. All project and community engagement information is available on the project website; follow the page to receive regular updates:
www.shapeourtown.okotoks.ca/downtown