Located between 17th Avenue S.W. and Bow Trail, Scarboro is one of Calgary’s oldest neighbourhoods, dating back to the early 1900s when Calgary was booming due to an increase in the agriculture and transport industries. Called Calgary’s first “picturesque suburb,” Scarboro was designed to be a low-traffic, safe and calm community. The area’s landscaping, created by John Charles Olmsted (an American landscape architect), has changed little in the past 116 years. Scarboro remains a quiet neighbourhood, home to a charming collection of historic residences and new builds where children can be seen playing on the street with the abandon of generations past. There are approximately 330 homes in Scarboro, as well as Scarboro 17, a recently built condo facility.
Scarboro’s proximity to downtown, 17th Avenue S.W. and the neighbouring community of Sunalta means it has ample access to shops and restaurants. The community’s streets are framed by mature trees and five parks, including Triangle Park, which has retained its original design since the neighbourhood was first developed. A community where neighbours know each other and historic homes are occasionally passed down from generation to generation, Scarboro boasts community book clubs, a dinner club, a preschool and numerous other community programs, such as children’s soccer, seniors’ exercise classes and an annual community barbecue. —S.C.
Opportunity for Improvement
The community’s only school is Sunalta School, and some children walk to the historic sandstone school. Although Scarboro remains a lower-traffic community, many of the crosswalks children use to get to school are unmarked. Pedestrian safety could be improved by signage and painted crosswalks.
Highlights
Oliver Quarry Park
Now an off-leash dog park, Oliver Quarry Park was once a sandstone quarry. Established in 1901, the historic quarry was one of 15 that operated within Calgary’s city limits and provided sandstone for the construction of iconic buildings like City Hall. The area now stands as one of Calgary’s most unique dog parks, featuring a partly fenced green space and rolling hills great for tiring out your pup.
Neighbourhood Architecture
Scarboro is one of Calgary’s first garden suburbs, where urban amenities and architecture are rooted in the area’s natural scenery. The community is laid out as a series of parks and boulevards, creating gracefully curved streetscapes that celebrate the area’s natural features. You’ll find carefully preserved 1910s and ‘20s homes, brick detailing and original wooden fixtures in this beautiful inner-city neighbourhood. You can also take a self-guided walking tour of the neighbourhood through Heritage Calgary.
Calgary Tennis Club
On the edges of Scarboro in its neighbouring community, Sunalta, you will find one of the largest outdoor seasonal clubs in Alberta. The Calgary Tennis Club has been a staple of the city since 1912. The not-for-profit club offers lessons, summer camps and programs on its nine tennis courts, providing an opportunity for players at every level.
Cassis Bistro
A short walk across the street from Scarboro to Richmond, you will find the quaint French restaurant Cassis Bistro, which has been owned and operated by Southern France native Gilles Brassart since 2011. The restaurant brings Brassart’s French roots to Calgary’s inner city, with a menu reliant on local producers, high-quality seafood and expert wine pairings. From the authentic truffle cheese terrine to the plat du jour, Cassis is a slice of France in the heart of Calgary. —R.P.