Date visited: August 9, and August 12, 2021
Location: SE Calgary. Or SW? Iβm confused about that!
Best Time of Year To Visit: Any time of year.
This park wasnβt selected randomly. I was in the area twice within a few days of each other, so I decided to stop by the park.
Note: Iβm reposting this. I had some technical issues with posting it last time.
Park Features and Highlights:
No matter how you enter the park, you canβt do it without seeing the Elbow River. Whether you cross the bridge or enter by this river path, you canβt avoid the river. Itβs lovely though, so I donβt care!
Thereβs an area where you can get closer to the river and other areas with benches overlooking the river. Itβs a great way to relax if you have walked a lot. There are spaces to go wading in the river (if thatβs what youβre into). I tried wading when I was there, and itβs getting to be that time of year when the water goes from refreshing to cold!
There is a gym near the park, which is a cool look. You can work out and then chill in the park afterwards. Additionally, there is a playground for kids and picnic tables nearby.
The bridges are even cooler! You get some great views of the city on the bridges, especially in the summer because clearly, the greenery is blocking the city!
Park Surrounding Area:
The area nearby is known as the Mission district. It was initially settled by French missionaries. If you look closely, you can see signs of its French history. For instance, the street signs say what the original names of the streets were and those original names are all French! There are more clues to look out for as well. Itβs one of the most vibrant areas I have seen in Calgary! There are lots of local businesses on 4th St SW, and the Beltline Murals are there on 17th Ave SW. I will do a post about the Beltline Murals someday. Itβs a great place to get together with people and try different foods!
Additionally, the Calgary Stampede takes place nearby. I donβt know whether Stampeders go to the park to chill out, but I hope they do!
Challenges. What Challenges?:
This is the most accessible park ever! Yes, there are dips and hills, especially around the bridges, but overall, itβs a wonderful place for everyone to enjoy!
One Last Thing:
I have been rather busy of late because I am applying for permanent residence and starting a business. I am still visiting parks when itβs not smoky, but I donβt have much time to post about them. Additionally, I might not comment on your posts as often either, but it doesnβt mean I havenβt read them. Thanks for reading!
If you miss any of my future posts on my challenge or want to reread my past posts, you can go to my page Calgary Parks Challenge. You can also find more photos from the parks on my Instagram page here.
See you at the next park in my challenge!
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I liked that you underlined the former French presence. This is often the case in Canada, the French came first in many places but strangely this is not always mentioned, as if the page had been torn out of the book.
Well, I am quite partial to areas that are formerly French. Whenever I have been in the area I have heard French spoken. I suspect itβs an area of choice for Quebecois. Thanks for commenting π
Loved the images! Good luck with the PR- I heard itβs a bit easier to get one at the moment so fingers crossed π€
Thank you! I am hoping I can get it pretty smoothly. At first, I was worried bc of the election, but I know someone who knows Canadian politics and she said that it takes a long time to change immigration rules even if a different party gains power. Thanks for commenting π
Oh thatβs good! I donβt think elections will cause that much of an issue cos Iβve also noticed it takes quite a while for the party to change laws.
I donβt think so either. Still, after Brexit and the US elections in 2016 and 2020, elections make me sick!
Yeah those were horrible and I think a lot of people feel that way
Yeah, but sometimes I wonder
What a beautiful river, and I just love the name of it. Best of luck applying for permanent residence and for starting a business. Thatβs very exciting!!
Itβs a lovely place. It was voted best park in Calgary. Thank you for your kind wishes and for reading π
I thought βbit of historyβ is not legible but it is. I can enlarge it in a new window and read everything there, except the French words. Wish there are more description of the natives who lived in the Elbow Valley back then. I once read a book about native Americans in Texas. I forget the name of the book already but I remember I really enjoyed it.
Well, the French is a translation of whatβs already said in English. Legally, you have to do that in Canada. They tend to break up the history a lot, depending on your location, but itβs quite normal to see these signs around. That sounds like a great book! Thanks for commenting π
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Wishing you success in obtaining permanent residence and in starting your business!
Thank you so much! π
The park is half in SW and half in SE. Easy to be confused. One thing about Calgary, it is not enough to have the street address, if you donβt have the quadrant. You could be close or far away and wonder where you are. Looks like a good park in the bend of the river. Thanks for sharing. Allan
UGH! Tell me about it! Iβm glad that I actually walked along Macleod Trail before I attempt to drive it someday. Itβs better to do that as a pedestrian. Itβs a nice, calming park and I heard it was voted the best in Calgary. Thanks for commenting π