It is an expansion of Bowmont Park, where stormwater from eight northwest upstream residential communities flows slowly through "water structures and landforms" inspired by "natural river morphology as well as hydrologic and sedimentation processes"[4] that serve as filters.

The park, which is connected to the regional pathway, has a boardwalk, cycling and walking trails, the Nautilus Pond, a polishing marsh, a wet meadow, man-made streams, vantage points of the Bow River, and wildlife habitat.

[1][5][6] The $26.8 million project to "restore native riparian habitats" of the contaminated Klippert gravel pit, then known as the East Bowmont Natural Environment Park (NEP), began in 2010.

[4] It was completed in the fall of 2018 and officially opened to the public on June 26, 2019, following a ceremony in which Mayor Naheed Nenshi dedicated the park to Dale Hodges, in recognition of his many contributions to Calgary as the longest service member of council.

[5] "Once a gravel quarry, the site is now a fully integrated 40-hectare park, stormwater treatment facility, and one of the largest public artworks in North America.

[5] One of the main focuses of the project was to improve the underground storm drain system of stormwater collected from eight northwest communities, including Silver Springs and Varsity.

[4] Before the creation of Dale Hodges Park, stormwater from these communities, representing nearly 1,800 hectares (4,400 acres), ran through underground storm drains in the gravel pit, directly into the Bow River.

[7] The water moves slowly through meandering man-made side streams in the polishing marsh area where wetland plants remove finer particles.

[Notes 4] Dale Hodges Park is part of a larger series of initiatives undertaken by the City of Calgary for stormwater management strategies.

The wet ponds, which were both educational and functional, serve to "protect the Bow River by incorporating green stormwater treatment", according to Chris Manderson, natural area management lead with the City of Calgary parks department.

[26][27][28][29] The $26.8 million project was completed in the fall of 2018,[13] and was officially opened by the Mayor of Calgary on June 26, 2019, at the dedication of the park to Dale Hodges.