With the warm weather finally here, it’s time to get out and explore Calgary’s extensive park system. My family always seems happier and more relaxed after spending the day at the park.
The only thing that makes it better is when we’re able to do it with a group of family or friends. Parks are great spots for birthday parties, family barbeques and playdates.
With the warm weather finally here, it’s time to get out and explore Calgary’s extensive park system. My family always seems happier and more relaxed after spending the day at the park. The only thing that makes it better is when we’re able to do it with a group of family or friends. Parks are great spots for birthday parties, family barbeques and playdates.
If you’re going to plan an event for a number of families with kids of various ages at the park, you’re going to want a park with picnic tables, shade, bathrooms, space to run around and a descent playground too.
Here’s a list of some of the best places that fit all of the necessary criteria:
1. Sandy Beach – Altadore – 4500, 14A Street SW. This is one of the best parks in the city for river access. Although the ‘beach’ is thoroughly rocky and not in the least sandy, the Elbow River runs slowly through shallow waters and is a great place to take your kids to play in the river. There are also numerous bookable picnic spots nearby and a small playground closer to the parking lot.
2. Shouldice Park – 4900 Monserrat Drive NW. Located along 16 Avenue, this park has a beautiful view of the river, bookable and non-bookable picnic spots, and a sizable and varied playground that would be great for a wide variety of ages.
3. Valleyview Park – Dover – 28 Street and 30 Avenue SE. This park really has it all. It has two fantastic playgrounds, picnic spots, beautiful pathways, a little pond area and in the summer, it even has a spray park. It’s more recently developed than the others on this list, so some of the shade trees are still a bit small but there will definitely be something for everyone here.
4. Edworthy Park – South Access – 5050 Spruce Drive SW (Bow Trail & Spruce Drive SW). North Access – Shaganappi Trail and 16 Avenue. This park features plentiful picnic areas both bookable and non-bookable surrounded by large mature trees often making you feel surprisingly secluded. The park has four small playgrounds, a couple great spots for throwing rocks in the river and plenty of wilderness to explore on the south side including the Douglas Fir Trail. It’s also one of the best spots in the city for geocaching with many hidden throughout the park. Any train fans in the group will also appreciate the CP line running through the centre of the park.
5. South Glenmore Park – 90 Avenue & 24 Street SW. On a hot day, this park will be bursting with families seeking to cool off in Glenmore Park’s circus-themed spray park, but this park has lots to offer on more temperate days as well. Playground equipment suitable for all ages surrounds the spray park with a number of picnic tables and a gazebo as well. Farther out, you’ll find walking paths along the Glenmore Reservoir – a great place for boat watching.
Dana spends her free time seeking out the best indoor and outdoor places to play in Calgary with her two young kids and blogging about them. For more information, visit www.calgaryplaygroundreview.com.
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