Slacklining is a fast growing sport of balance and typically in urban areas it is facilitated by the use of 2 trees to attach the "lines" to. The city of Calgary has bylaws in place which prohibit anything from being attached to public trees thereby making it difficult for participants to engage in the sport.

The origins of the applicable bylaw, Tree Protection Bylaw 23M2002, Section 15 and 16 (shown below) are unknown as is the basis for damage to trees being caused from having temporary attachments. There have been studies performed which show very clearly that slacklining, especially when some form of padding is used between the bark and the slings or line, causes no short or long term damage to the trees.

"15. No person shall use a Public Tree to secure any object.

16. Without restricting the generality of section 15, no person shall secure newspaper vending boxes, bicycle racks, dog chains, clothes lines, guy wires, swings, or tree house to a Public Tree."

In addition to the studies we also have visual evidence that no damage is caused from repeated usage on the trees where groups would typically set up their lines.

Public safety is a legitimate concern as well and through various efforts from the community a standard set of guidelines has been established by the community to govern ourselves. Lines are to be attended at all times, flagged and clearly visible, not set up in a high traffic area and only trees meeting a minimum diameter of 30cm should be used as anchors .

At this time The City of Calgary is the only city in Alberta which has a law prohibiting this activity. Through letters to various wards we have seen very little positive response with the exception of one ward in Calgary's SE to entertain an exception for slacklining. Our next approach is to add voices to our cause via a petition and attempt to engage the media to bring awareness to both the sport and the current limitations it’s participants are experiencing.