Calgary communities lacking park space may soon have an alternative as the City plans to pilot a new street park program.

The term sPark, or street park, was first used in the Centre City Plan in 2007 and officials say they are hoping to launch Calgary’s first sPark this summer.

“The concept is to convert a street environment into a temporary public space,” said Dawn Thome, project manager for Centre City Implementation.

Thome said the pilot, which will likely be confirmed in the coming weeks, would close off a street with low traffic volume for four to six weeks, introduce temporary furniture and implement various programs on the weekend for residents to participate in.

“It’s really about maybe working with a community who have identified concerns around the lack of sense of community or are looking to try and bring the community together,” she said.

Ald. Druh Farrell said the west end of Calgary’s downtown in Ward 8 will likely be the pilot area.

“The west end of downtown…has a dearth of park space so this was seen as an opportunity to provide some amenities space and also build a sense of neighbourhood,” she said. “I fully anticipate that we’ll be able to expand the program.”