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Silver Springs is an established residential community in the northwest of Calgary, Alberta.  It is bounded to the east by the north leg of Sarcee Trail (also known as Silver Springs Gate), to the north by Crowchild Trail, to the west by Nose Hill Drive, and to the south by the Bow River and surrounding Bowmont Park (coloquially known by residents as "The Gully").  The south end of the subdivision overlooks the nearby area of Bowness and provides an unobstructed view of Canada Olympic Park across the valley, and the Rocky Mountains are often clearly visible to the west.

The majority of homebuilding was completed in the mid-1970s.  As a result, many of the schools and services were built around the same time; while the area's infrastructure is well-maintained, the age of the area is reflected by the number of large trees.

== Population ==

This subdivision is currently home to approximately 9150 citizens, with 72% dwellings as single detached homes, and 85% of these units owned as opposed to rented.  Nearly 90% of the residents currently live in a household with family members.  The population has decreased slightly in recent years as many families have chosen to reside in the same home after their children have moved elsewhere.

Residents also boast a higher average level of education than the already-above-average Calgary population, per the 2006 Census.  The average income of Silver Springs residents also remains approximately 10% above that of the Calgary average.

The crime rate in Silver Springs remains lower than the city's average, with property theft as the most common reported incident.

== Schools ==

The area boasts three elementary schools:  the public Silver Springs Elementary and W. O. Mitchell Elementary, as well as Ecole St. Sylvester, a Catholic French Immersion school.

Students are expected to attend Montgomery Junior High for Years 7 through 9, then to Bowness High School for Years 10 through 12.  Both of these schools provide chartered bus service to students in Silver Springs and other nearby areas, as a significant number of their students reside outside of the Montgomery and Bowness subdivisions.

Several daycares are included in the area with close proximity to the elementary schools, and the Silver Springs Community Centre also provides a community-based, parent cooperative preschool.

== Transportation and Access ==

Silver Springs is served relatively effectively by the "Northwest Loop" bus routes and their inverse options (the 43/143 and 37/137), with a short trip to Crowfoot and Dalhousie C-Train stations, and access to Market Mall, Northland Village Shoppes and Crowfoot Centre.

Access is provided by its bounding roads: Nose Hill Drive, and Crowchild Trail North (via Silver Springs Gate/Sarcee Trail North).  These two roads are linked by Silver Springs Boulevard, which snakes through the area from Nose Hill Drive to Silver Springs Gate.

Due to the northwesterly location, Silver Springs has easy access to the Trans-Canada Highway/16 Avenue N via Nose Hill Drive and the Stoney Trail bridge and ring road, providing an easy driving route to the west.

Silver Springs is also linked to the city's extensive walking and bicycle paths via "The Gully" and along the ridge to the south.

== Services ==

The Calgary Police Service's Silver Springs Community Station (including the city's arson unit, a training centre, and other facilities) provides service to Silver Springs and several nearby subdivisions.

Other shopping and services at the two strip malls include (but are not limited to): Silver Springs Animal Hospital, Shoppers Drug Mart (including Canada Post office), PetroCanada Certigard, Esso, Fitness NW & Only Women's Fitness, Mac's Convenience Stores, Premiere Dance Studio, Silver Springs Liquor Store and others.

Restaurants and pubs include Silver Point Pub & Eatery (formerly Suds 'n' Spuds), Nottingham's Pub, A Taste of Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant and Mitillini's Pizza & Steak House.

Silver Springs also houses a section of the Silver Springs Golf & Country Club, whose clubhouse is located to the southeast, in the area of Varsity.

Most shopping (groceries and other items) is done at nearby malls and shopping areas which are each a short drive away.  These include Crowfoot Centre, Dalhousie Station, Market Mall and Northland Village Shoppes.

== Community ==

The Silver Springs Community Association (SSCA) maintains a hockey rink, an outdoor pool, and the Silver Springs Community Centre.  These are all located on the same lot as Silver Springs Elementary School, and often are used for educational or athletic programs, which are generally outlined in the monthly Silver Springs Scan community newsletter.  The Community Centre can also be rented for private functions, and often holds craft sales and other meetings.

== Links ==

For additional statistics and information on this area:
- [http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/cns/community_social_statistics/silver_springs.pdf Community Social Statistics] (City of Calgary)
- [http://www.calgaryarea.com/nw/silversprings/silversprings.htm Silver Springs Community Association]