As restrictions begin to ease and we begin to return to some type of normalcy, some folks may want to continue social distancing and that is totally okay! Luckily, Calgary has no shortage of beautiful outdoor parks to enjoy with your pals! Enjoy this list of YYC parks in various quadrants of the city. Reconnect with your loved ones and enjoy the summer!

Location: 1440 17a St SE, Calgary, AB

Pearce Estate Park is located in the southeast quadrant of the city and is located in a curve of the Bow River near the historic neighbourhood of Inglewood. The park contains over 15 hectares of reconstructed wetland. Within the park is the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and the Bow Habitat Visitor Centre there.

The park has been reconstructed and serves as an amazing place to take a swim or float down the rapids on a floaty (don’t forget your life jacket). Tiered flat rocks provide space to set up a chair or picnic, remember to bring sunscreen and an umbrella as there isn’t much tree coverage close to the water.

Stanley Park

Location: 4011 1a St SW, Calgary, AB

Stanely Park is a wonderful family-friendly place in the southwest of Calgary. Benches fitted with BBQ pits are scattered throughout the park with many areas suitable for cooling off your feet in the Elbow River. The park also has a baseball diamond, public pool, children’s playground, and year-round public washrooms.

*Please note there is a Health Advisory that cautions folks from swimming in the Elbow River (between Sandy Beach and 9 Ave SE), but the park is still beautiful to visit and contains a public pool.

Edworthy Park

Location: 5050 Spruce Dr SW, Calgary, AB

Edworthy Park borders the community of Wildwood and is situated on the Bow River. It is a large, diverse park that is suitable to enjoy year-round. In addition to recreational paths, the park also contains a playground, picnic sites & shelters, gazebos, fire pits, seasonal washrooms, and an off-leash dog area.

Did you know?

Edworthy Park is the most easterly place in Canada that you can find Douglas Fir trees. You can identify Douglas Fir trees by looking at the bark, it is deeply furrowed with red-dish lines. (City of Calgary, 2021).

Photo by Avenue Magazine Calgary

Weaslehead Flats

Location: 37 St SW & 66 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB

Weaslehead Flats lies at the mouth of the Elbow River and contains 237 hectares of beautiful natural landscape that borders the west end of the Glenmore Reservoir and connects South Glenmore Park and North Glenmore Park. This rare and pristine landscape is known as the ‘delta landscape’. This type of habitat is host to a relatively unique variety of plants and animals. Weaselhead Flats also contains one of the largest stands of coniferous forest in the city. The park offers hiking trails, wildlife, pathways, cross-country skiing, and seasonal washrooms for guests.

Photo by Avenue Magazine Calgary

McHugh Bluff

Location: Crescent Rd NW & Centre Street N, Calgary, AB

McHugh Bluff border two inner-city Calgary neighbourhoods and can be seen driving along Memorial Drive. The park is part of the inner-city and is a popular place for daily commuters, fitness fanatics, and dog walkers. You may have seen the park features in many graduation and prom photos over the years. In addition to its natural beauty, there is a dramatic view of Calgary’s skyline (particularly at night). This park is also home to the infamous ‘Cresent Heights staircase’ that can be utilized for an intense full-body workout.