Before Now

My Place

We’ve lived in Cochrane since the summer of 2011 and now think of it as our home, not just our ‘new place’.

In 2011 the population of Cochrane was 17,500—now, in 2026, it’s pushing 40,000.  In addition to more houses, cars, businesses, and the impact of many more people in the town, there have been some subtle changes.  These are probably not noticeable to many, but for me, an old retired guy who loves walking the delightful trails in the town, I notice them.  There is one place that I’ve lost and probably will never get back again.  It is shown as it used to be in the image above.

It is along the Bow River and close to one of our main paths.  It was a place I used to go to be quiet and contemplative, but this view is no longer accessible.

The growing population and time have created wear and tear on the land.  I’m not critical of those new people taking advantage of the beauty and charm of such places.  How can one not be attracted to place with a bubbling brook and a forest of mature trees?  I do think that the couple of years of Covid accelerated the wear on all the lands near to the Cochrane pathways.  We remember those days—when the only place to get together with others was outside.  Many more people discovered the beauty of the pathways in Cochrane, the nearby foothills, and the mountain parks.  One of my memories of those times is the loss of what I thought of as personal places where I could be on my own.

What happened at this special place for me by the river was absolutely normal.  Many more people discovered its charm.  Children would wander through the woods, play in the brook, and throw rocks in the river.  A picnic table was added, I’m not sure when, and it is a lovely place to bring family on a weekend for a picnic lunch.  All this was absolutely normal.

The negative change was brought about by the number of adults and families who found this place attractive.  The overload soon created a myriad of new trails throughout the area, worn down banks along the brook where rain created muddy runoffs that interfered with the water flow.  Curious children picked the flowers throughout the area and enjoyed building little dams in the brook.  Things that I too would have done as a young person.

The town, in an effort to restore nature in this place, has now built fences and other barriers to keep people limited to the space immediately around the picnic table.  I think this is a good thing and the place is recovering its charm.  However, I can no longer access the location where I captured this scene,  Even if I could, wooden log fences would appear in the view.

So, this image is a treasure for me and I can still contemplate good feelings every time I look at it on my wall.

There are many such places near the pathways of the town.  There are memorial benches located where there are beautiful scenes.  I get a good feeling when I see a couple, young or old, taking time out to sit on one of those benches and have their own moment of contemplation and thought.

Footnote:

“Contemplation seems to be about the only luxury that costs nothing.”

Dodie Smith