Calgary Parks

Just off downtown there is "Prince's Island Park". This park is a favorite of downtown employees who wish to eat their lunch outside. Even though the river freezes up almost completely during the winter, ducks and geese can be found there year-round. Located beside the Park is the downtown YWCA, complete with pool, weight-training and indoor jogging facilities. Nearby is the Eau Claire Market, a year-round enclosed market boasting many "artsy" shops, restaurants, and free entertainment. The market is also home to Calgary's IMAX theatre and the Calgary "Hard Rock Cafe".

In the city's north-west is "Nose Hill Park", covering a large area along John Laurie Blvd. This Park is mostly grassland and rolling hills, and offers a terrific view of downtown Calgary. Wild deer and other animals are frequently found in the park. Unlike many other Calgary parks, Nose Hill Park is not paved, and has minimal access routes, thus helping to keep the park in its natural state.

Bowness Park, along the Bow river in NW Calgary is more accessible. There is a small childrens park and many BBQ facilities. A small pond is available for canoeing, and paddle boats can be rented at the park. During the winter this pond freezes over for ice skating. A snack bar is available in the park.

Glenmore park, in the cities SW, encompasses most of the edges of the Glenmore resevoir. The resevoir is large enough for sailboarding and small sailboats. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the resevoir, making the resevoir ideal for calm canoeing. THe resevoir is home to numerous waterfowl, notable ducks and geese, but also includes the occasional crane. The park lies adjacent to the Sarcee reserve, where occasional visits from deer originate. There are a number of user areas in the park, with picinic facilities and paved walking and bicycle paths. The open areas of the park are ideal for kite-flying and soccer/football/etc.

Also in the city's SW lies Fish Creek Provincial Park. This park has numerous picinic facilities, along with a visitor centre and a small public lake. While there are paved paths for walking and bicycling, the park is large enough to visit rather more "unspoiled" areas. My personal highlight there is seeing White Pelicans (yes, you read that right) along the river.

In the city's southeast is the "Inglewood Bird Sanctuary", along the Bow River. Numerous types of birds can be found here, but much of the park is not accessible to the public (it is, after all, a bird sanctuary).

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