Parks and Play

A free dog off leash area in Coopers' Park on the False Creek waterfront, with two separate spaces: one for all dogs and one for small or shy dogs. Water is provided for drinking and cleaning up in the main area.

An island park in the Bow River next to East Village, home to Bloom, a 23 metre sculpture made of connected streetlights. The Rise, a nine metre grassy knoll, is used for tobogganing in winter, and The Tip offers river and downtown views. It is free and open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a children's play area.

A big open lawn on False Creek at the edge of Yaletown, right on the seawall, with a playground, basketball and tennis courts and sculptures along the water. In spring its cherry trees make it one of the prettiest blossom spots downtown, and it hosts free events like the Cherry Blossom Festival's Big Picnic. Free; dogs welcome on leash.

A 12 hectare riverside park across the Bow River from Bowness Park, with flower gardens, archways, arbours and a river lookout. Walk the promenades, play the free disc golf course or join the Bow River pathway, which runs east to Bowmont Park. Free and open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with washrooms.

A riverside park on the Elbow River in southwest Calgary, below River Park, with playgrounds, picnic sites, fire pits and pathways. The shore is mostly pebbles rather than sand, which makes it great for wading and skipping stones in summer. Free, with three off-leash areas close by (River Park, Riverdale and Britannia).

A small wetland park in Olympic Village, built for the 2010 Games, where the seawall passes ponds, boardwalks and a rocky shoreline. Cross to Habitat Island to watch for herons and the resident beavers, then let kids climb at the playground. Free to visit any time; washrooms and cafés are one block west at Olympic Village Square.

A big waterfront park at Kits Point with views of downtown, Stanley Park and the North Shore mountains. Open fields, ponds and the seawall make it the city's favourite spot for flying kites, picnics and sunset walks. Free and open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (the museums inside the park charge admission).

A 62 hectare riverside park in southeast Calgary with the largest fenced off-leash area in the city. Paths wind along the Bow River past an island, flood plain and marshes, and you will find picnic tables and the public artwork Deux Chiens Assis. Free and open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

A large natural park on the north bank of the Bow River in northwest Calgary, with an escarpment that shows the city's geological history. Trails lead to Waterfall Valley, Nautilus Pond and Dale Hodges Park, with river views along the way. Free and open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with an off-leash area for dogs.

A big park of 347 hectares along the south shore of the Glenmore Reservoir, with lakeside pathways and trails, the inclusive Variety Children's Park playground, a bike pump track and views across the water to the mountains. In summer the spray park opens; in winter the City grooms a cross country ski trail when there is snow. Open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free to use; boat rentals and sailing school cost extra.

A 63 acre rural park on the northwest tip of Richmond with walks among farm plots, community gardens and heritage buildings, boardwalks and viewing platforms for birds, and wide views of the Salish Sea. Kids love the big Adventure Play area with climbing structures. Free, a City of Richmond park. No dogs allowed.

A 90 hectare park founded in 1891 on the Vancouver and Burnaby border, with level walking paths through tall coastal rainforest, duck ponds, a children's playground and an outdoor fitness circuit. It is right next to Patterson SkyTrain station, so it is easy to reach without a car. Open from dawn to dusk all year. Free, a City of Burnaby park.