As a long-time business operator in the City of Calgary, Cowboys recognizes that we have a responsibility to manage our activities in the areas where we operate, and to create a positive impact on the community and our business. For nearly 30 years, Cowboys has always, and will continue to, maintain positive relationships with our Neighbours and Community Stakeholders.
Formally known as Shaw Millenium Park, Cowboys Park is located in the vibrant Downtown West community.
As part of a 10-year sponsorship agreement with the City of Calgary, upgrades will be made to utilities, electrical infrastructure, safety, accessibility, and new hardened surfaces. These upgrades will support the transformation of Cowboys Park into a modern and multi-functional event space, attracting more events, business, visitors and increased public use of the park year-round. Event organizers will be able to efficiently set up, tear down and clean after events. The hardened space will better accommodate Calgarians with mobility considerations and better facilitates activities like farmer’s and holiday markets, food trucks, sport and other recreational events, food festivals, and more.
Cowboys Park is owned by and controlled by City operations and City Parks. All programming follows the City’s event approval process.
Following this link will lead you to the Cowboys Park section of the City of Calgary website; this page has plenty of helpful information about Cowboys Park and the upcoming improvements. Full details on what is open and closed at Cowboys Park is available at Calgary.ca/cowboyspark and on signage distributed around the park when applicable.
Hey Neighbour!
With just over 70 days until the start of CMF 2026, we wanted to give you an update on where things are at, specifically as it relates to Cowboys Park.
Currently, the fencing surrounding the park is to facilitate City-led construction based on the feedback of last years' Public Engagement Activity. It's anticipated that this work will continue until June 15, 2026. All park amenities, excluding the primary greenspace, will be open for use by the public during City construction. More details on this construction can be found on the City's website
We'll be able to share the following information with you once we receive approval from the necessary City departments:
The dates of CMF construction at the park
During constriction, what park amenities will be open for use and when,
Road/ lane closures
Festival ingress and egress locations
The location of ride-share and taxi pick up/ drop off locations
Livery Plan
Sound mitigation plans
Hey Neighbour! Block Party - Save the Date: July 2, 5pm
We're so excited to share that our Hey Neighbour! Block Party will be happening again this year, taking place on Thursday, July 2, featuring Tucker Wetmore and Charles Wesley Godwin! More information will come on this soon, but for now, please mark Thursday, July 2, gates at 5pm on your calendars.
BlockWatch Partnership for added cleaning support
To ensure we're keeping our community as clean and welcoming as possible, we're in the process of securing a partnership with a local organization that excels in garbage/ waste management in the Downtown core as part of our BlockWatch program. We'll have more information on this soon as well.
CMF's BlockWatch program puts ‘boots on the ground’ in the Downtown West Community from Team Cowboys. This team will patrol the area surrounding Cowboys Park and neighbouring residences and businesses from 1 hour before our gates open to 1 hour after closing to the public.
Check back here for future updates and CMF offer details exclusively for our Neighbours.
More to come!
Cheers,
Team Cowboys
CMF is dedicated to fulfilling these 15 specific commitments to our community through responsible leadership, open communication, careful planning, and consistent follow-through. Our goals will be achieved by actively engaging and upholding these core principles.
Maintain an active communication channel with prompt replies between CMF and the Community through our Community Forum, accessible 24/7 during the set-up, operation, and teardown of Cowboys Music Festival.
Continuously review and update our policies and plans based on feedback from patrons, neighbours, local authorities, businesses in the area, and responses from the City’s Public Engagement activities.
Strictly implement our extensive Operational Plan, including top-of-the-line sound dispersal and mitigation, crowd management, and egress plans.
Continue our history of cooperating with all authorities (CPS, CFD, AGLC, etc.) and the City of Calgary, strictly abiding by all rules and permits to ensure a safe experience.
Keep the site and the surrounding area of Cowboys Park clean, safe, and free of garbage and debris during the setup, operation, and teardown of CMF, with the support of third-party services from Waste Management.
Encourage Patrons to use safe transportation (public transit, taxis, ride-share) through social media, on-site signage, and way-finding signage outside the CMF gates. Dedicated Taxi and Rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations will be determined with the City.
Align the location of our exit gates with easy, direct access to safe transportation, supported by detailed signage and directions from CMF’s BlockWatch team.
Provide accessible, equitable customer service and legendary experiences for people with visible and invisible disabilities that respects their independence and integration with the Festival as a whole.
Be an active Community member of the Downtown West community year-round, working toward common goals of safety, beautification, and new experiences and programs that highlight our corner of the City.
Maintain an active presence in the Community through our BlockWatch program, partnerships with local organizations and community associations, and with support from the Calgary Police Service.
Support the non-profits, charities, sports teams, and community groups that make Calgary the legendary city it is, with fundraising opportunities, donations, and partnerships.
Host a range of events beyond our music festival, including 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, Skate demos, and hosting and promoting a diverse range of community-minded events.
Foster our relationship with local artists through competitions like The Opener, where musicians have the opportunity to open for CMF headliners, and work with professional artists to create art installations that enhance the CMF experience and highlight the creativity of our local legends.
Secure the site through a strong combination of internal security personnel, contracted security services, and the Calgary Police Service. Staff and contractors will conduct regular patrols of the site throughout the set-up, operation, and teardown of our Festival.
Issue post-event surveys to CMF attendees and our neighbours to capture feedback from their experience, in addition to debrief meetings with key community stakeholders.