One of the most recognizable sights in Sunnyside is the birdhouse tree on 1st Ave. An always evolving piece, this tree long standing tree stump is one of many beloved oddities of the community.
Category: #Sunnyside365 (Page 19 of 39)
“You can sum up all the anxiety about all the new development from just looking at the trees in Sunnyside. They were planted a hundred years ago, and may have been tended and looked after well, but there was never a plan for what to do when they started dying and needing to get replaced. The people who planted them are long gone, and there’s all these new people who thought the trees would last forever.
Now we’re tearing them down because they’re rotting, but all the while new growth is trying to sprout all over the place without rhyme or reason.
All those gorgeous tall poplars that lined the streets are in need of care, but most importantly, they’re in need of a succession plan. Not a succession plan that we’ll see come to light in our lifetime, no. A plan that the next generation can carry on.
The same goes for how we all look after each other in the community, how we look after our elderly, our neighbours, our local businesses, the visitors… we need, we must plan to care after one another while we look to the future.
Is that too preachy for your project? If it is, just say something about how pretty the leaves are in Autumn, haha!”
“After you’re done Sunnyside365, you should do one on all the dogs in the neighbourhood. Call it, ‘#DogsOf#Sunnyside365’ or something.”
The graffiti, in and around Sunnyside and Hillhurst add a very welcome splash of colour and style to otherwise mundane walls.
This little newspaper box hanging around outside of The Roasterie might not be part of the Little Free Libraries initiative, but its existence embodies the plucky nature of Sunnyside…
A disused, free news paper bin was cleaned up, painted, and decorated to be a book depository. It’s not fastened down, has no instructions, yet it is looked after by passers-by and stewarded by it’s fanbase. The books inside are a truly eclectic mix of material.
Metaphorically, the 10th Street Library (as it’s known) represents this part of Calgary as it has come to be known: interesting in outside appearance, appealing to visitors with it’s quirks and characteristics, yet well worn from use. On the inside, all matters of opinions from all sorts of sources, from a diverse variety of people.
The C-Train moves through Sunnyside, taking it’s passengers off into the night.
Calgary has 16 designated off-leash dog parks, 3 of which are in Hillhurst-Sunnyside (if you count Rotary park on the East side of Centre Street and Crescent Heights Park). As well, Hillhurst, West Hillhurst and Sunnyside are home to over 1200 dogs, and countless dog-friendly businesses.
Just remember to be a good neighbour and pick up your poop!
A bright January day greets residents of Sunnyside.
“We moved to Canada in December 2010, but we moved to Calgary in October 2012. We moved to this condo (St. John’s on 10th) in May of 2014.
We met at a Christmas Eve party back in 1995. We were both working for DisneyWorld. I was general of Epcot until April of 1997. Now I work for West Jet. I’m Senior Vice President of Guest Experience.
I love the convenience of being around the little shops and restaurants. We love being in this neighbourhood. It feels like a small town but in an urban area. We were living in Marda Loop but we knew we wanted to be in Kensington.” Ed (left)
“My last role with Disney was in Community Relations. It was great! I got to liaise with important people. I got to meet JJ Abrams, Michael Jackson, Michael J. Fox… I gave them all tours of DisneyWorld. Before that I was in Human Resources. I got to recruit animators for Mulan. Now I guess you can call me a home maker. We lived in California for a while and sold our house to Jim Parsons–you know, Sheldon from Big Bang Theory? He’s a really wonderful guy, really funny.
This is a very friendly community. Extremely friendly, and welcoming. There’s a warm and inclusive feeling in this neighbourhood.” Geoff, (right)
“I’ve lived here for six years, but by proxy, over twenty. My dad lived here and I’d always visit. It’s one of those communities that just sticks with you, like a good vacation.
I’m reminded by my own historical narrative. I’ve got memories with the streets and places throughout this community over the past two decades. For example, I’ve been getting the same pho for over twenty years over on 10th street.
I love the walkability. I love the cats, the smell of the Roasterie. You can see downtown and you’re right next to the core of the city, but it feels like your a million miles away from it. It’s one of the few places that feels like a community.” Jon, with his fiancee, Mel