Parks and Play

A green island park in the Bow River right next to downtown Calgary, reached by footbridges, with big lawns, shady paths, a playground and a restored wetland where the path winds around the water. It is the city's favourite spot for picnics and summer festivals, and the river pathways run straight through it for walks and bike rides all year. Free, a City of Calgary park.

Vancouver's biggest and best loved park: 400 hectares of West Coast rainforest, beaches, trails, gardens and lookouts right next to downtown. You can spend a whole day walking the trails, watching the herons and squirrels or sitting by the water. Open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM and free to enter (parking is paid, and some attractions inside like the aquarium charge admission).

A small concrete skate spot in West Lodge Park with a few ramps and ledges. There are no washrooms on site. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A modular skatepark on asphalt with ledges, rails, banks, quarter pipes and a spine ramp. Washrooms are at Weston Lions Recreation Arena during open hours. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A skatepark in Leonard Linton Park built around a large U shaped bowl with a deep end, pool coping and an over vert cradle, plus a basic street area. There are no washrooms on site. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A concrete skatepark in Stanley Greene Park that mixes street and transition features. Washrooms are in the building across from the skate area. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A modular skatepark on asphalt with ledges, rails, banks, quarter pipes and a spine ramp. Washrooms are at Smithfield Park Outdoor Pool during operating hours. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A concrete skatepark with banks, ledges, rails, hubbas, a funbox and a small bowl. Washrooms are at Port Union Community Recreation Centre during operating hours. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

An outdoor skatepark with beginner and intermediate drops and flat ground features. Washrooms are in Neilson Park. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A modular skatepark on asphalt next to John Polanyi School, with ledges, rails, banks, quarter pipes and a mini halfpipe. Washrooms are at Lawrence Heights Community Centre during operating hours. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A small concrete skatepark with a few ledges and a small ramp. Washrooms are at Rouge Valley Community Recreation Centre during operating hours. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.

A concrete skatepark that mixes flow and street, with a tight five foot bowl and a range of quarter pipes and rails. There are no washrooms on site. It is a public City of Toronto facility with no fee listed.