Category Archives: Winter

Park, Summer, Winter

Bowness Park

Bowness Park MapDownload

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-planDownload

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.

Attraction, Winter

Zoo Lights

  • When: November 23, 2018, to January 5, 2019 (excluding Christmas Day)
  • Time: 6 – 9 pm (no admission after 8:30 pm)
  • Where: Calgary Zoo.
  • Address: 210 St. George’s Drive NE, Calgary, AB.
  • Admission: Children 3-14 $14.95, General 16+ $19.95
  • Website: www.calgaryzoo.com
  • Direct link on the Zoo’s website: Link
  • Photos on Daily Hive: Link
  • YouTube video from user notenufwow during the 2016 Zoo Lights: Link
Expect lines, but remember there are ticket kiosks at both the main entrance and inside at the train station entrance

The grounds of the Zoo along with the Enmax Conservatory are transformed with 2 million lights into a Christmas wonderland.  Beginning in 1997 running from the last weekend in November to the first in January, each night the Zoo closes at 6pm and then reopens with a Christmas Light show like no other.  

Promotional video from the Calgary Zoo, this does not belong to me

For the first fourteen years I lived here I never went to Zoo lights.  I’d just pictured Christmas lights and didn’t think much of it. Well when our daughter was born we were starting new traditions for us and her.  Zoo lights has become a tradition for us like many other Calgary families. We always go two days before Christmas regardless of if its a cold year or a mild year.  Parking can be crazy but the Zoo has a well designed lot and no matter where you park it’s not too far to the gates (because of it’s fan like layout).

I like to think this is a festive Ogopogo

First off this isn’t just some lights thrown around, there is a lot of effort made for presentation and artistic display.  There are also fire pits to enjoy hot chocolate by, ice skating inside a giant tent to protect you from the potential winds.  Next at the conservatory is Santa Claus along with a themed exhibit. One year that was a sugar plum forest, complete with fairies.  

This year the Zoo has an all new exhibit …

“”Wander both indoors and out with the ENMAX Conservatory activities and displays featuring Snow White, the evil queen and the seven stewards of the forest. Throughout our magically decorated topical oasis and surrounding gardens, you’ll find a Giant Gingerbread House, an Enchanted Forest, an Apple Wishing Tree, our Sustainability Factory with craft stations and Santa himself.”

Except from https://www.todocanada.ca/city/calgary/event/zoo-lights/

Note: These were not the real penguins dressed up with electric lights

If you go remember your mittens or gloves, dress in layers and expect it to be busy with lots of strollers (we’ll be with one of them).  There will likely be Zoo Lights themed merchandise to buy along with the regular gift shop being open.

Our daughter has enjoyed it every year