Sunnyside, Calgary facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sunnyside
Neighbourhood
The Heartland Cafe (Now Vendome Cafe)
Sunnyside, Calgary Location in Calgary
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
City	[[File:|22x20px|border |alt=|link=]] Calgary
Quadrant	NW
Ward	7
Established	1904
Elevation	1,050 m (3,440 ft)
Population  (2006)
• Total	3,598
• Average Income	$42,325
Website	Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association

Sunnyside is a community located right in the city of Calgary, Alberta. It sits on the north side of the Bow River, very close to Calgary's downtown area. Sunnyside works together with its neighbour, Hillhurst, to form the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association.

Right next door is Kensington, a lively area with lots of shops and places to eat. It's a great spot for families and has many fun things to do.

Discovering Sunnyside: A Calgary Community

Sunnyside's Past: From Farms to City Life

Sunnyside is one of Calgary's oldest communities. People first settled here in the 1880s, building their homes on the land. In 1904, the City of Calgary bought the land, and Sunnyside officially became part of the city.

In the beginning, many people living in Sunnyside worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway or the Eau Claire Sawmill. Today, it's a popular place for city workers and their families. They love Sunnyside because it's a quiet neighbourhood but still very close to Calgary's busy downtown.

Around 1913, streetcars were a main way to get around Calgary. One streetcar line went through Sunnyside, picking up workers for the railway. This old streetcar path is now part of Calgary's walking and biking trails.

Sunnyside was greatly affected by the Bow River flood in June 2013. The entire community had to be evacuated for several days because of the high water.

Where is Sunnyside? Its Location and Borders

Sunnyside has clear boundaries that help you find it. To the east, it's bordered by Centre Street. To the west, you'll find 10th Street NW.

Looking north, Sunnyside is next to McHugh Bluff, a raised area of land. To the south, it's bordered by the beautiful Bow River.

Two main roads pass through Sunnyside: 10th Street NW (for north-south travel) and Memorial Drive (for east-west travel). Most cars on these roads are going to or from downtown Calgary. The main street within the neighbourhood itself is 2nd Avenue NW.

Sunnyside and the Bow River: Understanding Flooding

Sunnyside, like some other Calgary communities, is located on the flood plain of the Bow River. This means it's on flat land near the river that can sometimes flood.

There are things in place to help prevent flooding, like a berm (a raised bank) along Memorial Drive. However, these measures were not enough during the big flood in June 2013.

Sunnyside has experienced flooding before. In 1932, there was widespread flooding in the area. In June 2005, heavy rain caused some basement flooding. Again in March 2009, quick-melting snow led to more basement flooding in some homes.

The 2013 Alberta floods in June were very serious for Sunnyside. The high river water went over the flood berm. Also, heavy rain fell quickly, and the storm sewers had trouble draining the water. Sunnyside was affected by flooding again in July 2013 due to more intense rain.

Sunnyside's Buildings: A Mix of Old and New

The buildings in Sunnyside show its long history, with many different designs and styles. You'll see a mix of single-family houses, modern apartment buildings, local shops, and restaurants.

In the 1880s, the Canadian Pacific Railway built small "workers' cottages" for their employees. These wooden homes often had cellars that could flood. Early residents described them as simple homes for working families. Back then, the community had dirt roads and no modern utilities like gas or sewers.

Over time, many of these old cottages have been replaced with newer buildings. The cottages that remain have been updated with modern comforts. In the 1970s, many new apartment buildings were constructed. Today, many of these have been updated and turned into condominiums.

People of Sunnyside: Community Life

Sunnyside is mostly a place where people live. Most of the land is used for single-family homes, apartments, and condominiums.

In 2012, about 3,704 people lived in Sunnyside. Many residents are young adults, with nearly half of the population between 20 and 34 years old. A large number of people in Sunnyside have a university degree.

Fun and Facilities: What Sunnyside Offers

Sunnyside has many great facilities for its residents. There's an elementary school for younger students. The community also has its own station on the C-Train, which is Calgary's light rail transit system.

You can find grocery stores like Safeway Inc. and the Sunnyside Market. There are also many popular restaurants, coffee shops, and unique boutique stores.

For sports fans, Sunnyside is home to the Calgary Curling Club, located at the east end of the neighbourhood. The community centre for Sunnyside is actually located in the neighbouring community of Hillhurst, at 1320 – 5 Ave NW.

Working Together: The Community Association

The Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association helps both Sunnyside and Hillhurst. It was started around 1942. Its main goal is to organize sports, fun activities, and social events for the community. It also speaks up for the community's interests on important city plans and issues.

In the 1970s, the community faced challenges from proposed new roads and building projects. The association took action and successfully stopped plans for a major highway. This helped keep the small-scale, friendly feel of the community.

In the 1980s, there was a plan to build Calgary's light rail line through the area. This meant many homes might be torn down. The association worked with city planners, and while the Sunnyside Station was built in 1987, many changes were made to protect the community.

Today, the association continues to review new development plans through its Community Environment Committee.

Images for kids

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  Sunnyside Grocery (demolished in 2018)

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  Sunnyside Community School