Albert Park/Radisson Heights is a south east community with a rich history. The community is named after Albert Smyth, who, with his business partner Mr. McCullough, promoted what was to be an exclusive subdivision including parks, a lake, windmills, a race track and gardens. In 1912, with sales lagging due to poor transportation to the area, Smyth and McCullough came up with a scam to lure residents. They laid railway ties to the town of Forest Lawn and started a rumour that a streetcar was to be developed. The scam was discovered, the railway ties were used for firewood, and the developers disappeared. From that point on, development of Albert Park, part of the town of Forest Lawn, was sporadic. Albert Park developed between 1908 and 1950, Radisson Heights developed shortly after Albert Park (along with the rest of Forest Lawn) was annexed in 1960, and Radcliffe Village developed between 1976 and 1980. The Albert Park/Radisson Heights community is full of open space, offers easy access to shopping and major roads, and offers picturesque views of the Bow River Valley, downtown and the mountains. There are both public and separate schools in the area, including Father Lacombe High School. The community centre is easily identifiable by the bright mural painted on its side. It contains dartboards, a community kitchen, snooker, pool and shuffleboard tables as well as a big screen TV. Every Tuesday is bingo night at the centre. Another popular community hangout is the Skate Shack, also run by the community association. The skate shack allows residents to take part in games of shinny, or to engage in pleasure skating. Hockey, registered for through the community, takes place at the nearby Twin Arenas. The Skate Shack also houses video games and a pool and foosball table. (SOURCE:Calgary Communities)
