With no through traffic dissecting it, the suburban southeast community of New Brighton feels like its own little town. A family-oriented community, New Brighton has two elementary schools and one junior high, along with numerous playgrounds, such as the New Brighton Green Playground and Bumblebee Park. The community is also home to the New Brighton Athletic Park, which has four sports fields for soccer, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee and field hockey. The athletic park also has a baseball diamond and a skatepark, making the area ideal for families with children.
New Brighton’s residents’ association is very active, ensuring that pathways are cleared as soon as possible after snowfall, and that community flower beds and trees are well tended. It offers a range of events for residents, including an annual Stampede Breakfast.
The hub of the community is the New Brighton Clubhouse, which offers programming for a range of ages, including chair yoga, tennis, learn-to-skate events and teen painting nights. While the only shopping centre is the small New Brighton Square, the community is a five-minute drive to the Mackenzie Towne Centre shopping district. Additionally, New Brighton is a 15-minute drive to Fish Creek Provincial Park, offering nature experiences near suburban life. —S.C.
Opportunity for Improvement
While New Brighton offers ample amenities nearby, like many suburban communities, it can pose a challenge for those who commute to downtown. Roughly 20 minutes away from the city core by car, the community doesn’t have easy access to public transportation. The Green Line would have connected New Brighton to the rest of the city, but incomplete construction means the community is a one-hour commute by bus.
Highlights
New Brighton Athletic Park
New Brighton Athletic Park brings Calgarians together, one sports game at a time. The huge outdoor complex is a multi-use venue that includes four sports fields for soccer, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee and field hockey. The park also features a baseball diamond, a playground and a large skatepark. Whether you are playing or just spectating, New Brighton Athletic Park has a spot for you.
New Brighton Central Park and Pond
At the heart of the community is New Brighton Central Park. The beautiful area revolves around the park’s central pond, which features a paved walking path around its perimeter, connecting it to the whole community. Enjoy two baseball diamonds within the park, as well as a large playground.
New Brighton Residents Association
The association is the backbone of the New Brighton community. From planning youth programs to organizing fundraisers, the New Brighton Residents Association keeps the neighbourhood on its toes year-round. Engage in yoga classes, tennis lessons, soccer programs and pickleball games in the spring and summer, and skating lessons, hockey programs and dance classes in the fall and winter.
Ralph Klein Park
Located northeast of New Brighton, Ralph Klein Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The man-made wetland services the Bow River system, drawing birds, bugs and community to its Environmental Education Centre. Find picnic areas and a community orchard with five varieties of pear trees and eight varieties of apple trees on the grounds, as well as permanent art installations like monoliths and pyramids. —R.P.