Bowness Park

April 29, 2021 Gary

Location: 8900 48 Ave. N.W.
Area: 30 hectares
Park Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.

My earliest experience with Bowness park was after buying a bike around 2002, I headed out and went west along the river. I passed through numerous parks, Bowness park had a festival or something going on, music over speakers, and BBQs everywhere. I however just kept pedaling.

Talking about Bowness Park and it’s origins require discussing Bowness as a whole and Calgary’s former “Municipal Railway”. Going back to the late 1800’s the land was used for ranching but that all changed in 1911. John Hextall divided up the area into what he called Bowness Estates. Being just six miles west of Calgary he envisioned an exclusive residential suburb. In exchange for the City of Calgary running a streetcar line to his development he donated two islands on the Bow for use as a park, now known as Bowness Park. I think it’s interesting how many of the city’s parks date back to this time and come from donations.

While as a development Bowness languished until after the second world war. Bowness Park however was extremely popular with Calgarians. In the 1920’s and 30’s as many as 25,000 would ride the streetcars out to Bowness Park during summer weekends. The service was maintained from 1913 through to the 1950’s when automobile ownership changed everything.

After the 2013 flood, the park was closed for repairs and redesign. The west end of the park reopened in 2014, and the east in 2016. The lagoon was redesigned, the parking lot was moved to the center of the island, while flood mitigation was added along the park’s shorelines.

bowness-design-plan Download

Today the park is a popular place for picnics and water activities, featuring many amenities.

Tea house (operated by Seasons of Bowness)
Boat rentals (operated by UofC Outdoor Centre)
Lagoon
Train ride (operated by UofC Outdoor Centre)
Playground
Pathways
Skate rentals (operated by UofC Outdoor Centre)
Ice shinny rink
Curling rink
Fire pits and BBQ stands
Picnic sites and shelters
Washrooms
Bow River access
Wading pool
Cross-country skiing
500 stall parking lot

Our visits to the park have been all about the splash park and playground. I hope this year we can rent one of the peddle boats.

Four our kids it’s all about the splash park. Which includes a concession and washrooms.

Our last trip last year had included a significant visit to the playground.

There is a miniature train that runs around the park, while our son was too little last year I hope he can enjoy it this year.

In my top three for family outings. This is simply one of the amazing parks in the city.

17th Ave, Restaurant

Bread Culture (Closed)

April 23, 2021 Gary

Opened: Friday, June 26 2020
Address: 1502 14 Street SW
Kid-Friendly: Yesssss!!!
Brunch: Could be, but I prefer morning pastries with coffee
Website: www.breadculture.ca
Instagram: breadculture _{you need to follow}
Google Pics: Link
Calgary Herald Article: Link

Before Bread Culture opened I walked past and was glad to see something new coming into the space. I wondered what it could be? Then the first sign went up “Bread Culture” I took a picture to remind me to tell my wife about it! “A bakery opening close to us!

*“Smart people make their choices in advance”*

“Our family likes baked goods”, and that’s putting it mildly. Sure when it comes time to going to a movie theater I’m going to tell you I need candy, but really I’d give it up, if it was one or the other, for croissants.

For a few weeks I walked past, thinking about the difficulty opening up during a pandemic. Then the announcement on Instagram, June 26th would be the big day. But before that, a sneak peek, with one free croissant on June 20th!

The weekend came, and Saturday morning I hyped the kids up about the newest bakery. We went over a few minutes after nine and received our free croissants and purchased a few others.

Since that day our patrionange to the other local bakeries has dropped off. Proximity has something to do with it, but really that wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t absolutely outstanding. Bread Culture stands out with its variety of baked goods, and impeccable quality.

I’d like to say every weekend, (but I’m middle aged now, and that kind of indulgence catches up with you) but frequently enough. I head over to Bread Culture on a weekend morning right at opening when selection is best. There’s always a line up of loyal baking aficionados there to get their weekly? Fix.

My natural impulse to go straight for the almond croissant, but in actuality there’s too much to try. Most weekends I decide to try something else.

Our son believes the “strawberry cakes” are the best. The cheese buns are really something else, but I still prefer something sweet in the morning.

My standing recommendation is the morning bun. This light, flaky layered decadence is sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Then inside is a citrus zest, that makes the sun brighter, the day better and the kids more patient, (one can dream). The is a top pic for both of the kids.

Our daughter has a frequent preference for chocolate croissants. For my wife it’s brioche anything, sugar, chocolate, berry, yes please.

There pretzel buns, worth a trip for. I was told this past week that they will only be available on Sundays for the time being.

I’m going to be honest we haven’t actually tried any bread, from Bread Culture. But soon, simple toast and jam for me.

Over Christmas break, I went over to Bread Culture for a bit of essential morning sustenance. What was this? “Brioche de Noël” Onsight I knew I wanted it, I bought a loaf in addition to my regular items of baked joy. At home, I excitedly removed it from the bag, exquisite! Not too sweet, light, texture that defies belief. I went back the next weekend for another bit of Christmas. It was done! Till next year! Aaaah, till next year, I’ll be back for thee.

Captured from their Instagram, a little insight into the Brioche de Noël

I mustn’t leave out the owner’s and staff. Everyone is so kind and friendly, clearly they know they are selling joy disguised as baked goods.

Bread Culture, worth getting up for, worth waiting in line for, worth trying everything they offer.

17th Ave, Attraction, Blog, East Village

My favorite locations living downtown

Gallery April 22, 2021 Gary

I’m still here, and my site is still alive, but how can that be with no posts for over two years? I’m still interested, I have more to share, but I have an ineffective work process. It’s not a relaunch, but I want to adapt to working on short impulsive posts. It’s a personal challenge to myself, with a refocus on experiences.

Tompkins Park

Sitting here on a summer’s day with the vibrancy of 17th all around is the best. It’s a small park with plaza space, I call ground-zero for 17th ave. The area comes alive with little events every Saturday throughout the summer. (or without COVID it did)

Thomson Family Park

It’s already been five years since this park underwent a complete teardown and rebuild. Inner city parks can get a bad reputation, but this one is always filled with local kids. Here we chat with our like minded neighbors while our kids play together. I wish there was never litter around, but it comes from the hundreds that use the park every day. The city is active with it’s maintenance and any wear is looked after weekly. In summers there’s fountains and outdoor ice in winter. In the planning phase there was talk about food trucks making it a stop, but that’s only happened twice in separate years.

East Village River Walk

In summer our city’s love of the river isn’t any more obvious than along the East Village’s River Walk. Morning brunch at Charbar with coffee in hand, blue sky overhead while looking out at the river is my happy place. Ending a river rafting trip at St Patrick’s island is the perfect occasion to walk back along the river pathway to Prince’s Island.

17th Avenue

I believe 17th Avenue is Calgary’s focal point for walkable urban living. I’m lucky that this last stretch before arriving home isn’t something I have to “get past” but a collection of our family’s favorite places to get out and experience festivals, dining, parks, walks, shopping and attractions. My expectation is that I can go for a walk, take in the sights, grab a coffee, pick up fresh bread, buy dishwasher pods, look at the latest tablets and pick up a birthday gift all without starting the car.

What does Urban Living mean to you?