Parks and Play

A long, crescent shaped park of more than 160 hectares in a former coulee, created for Canada's centennial in 1967, with winding paths, a wetland full of ducks and geese, picnic spots and a natural playground built for Canada's 150th. In winter a cross country ski track is groomed on the golf course when there is snow. Free, a City of Calgary park.

A peaceful bog forest park with an elevated boardwalk (wheelchair accessible), soft wood chip trails, a pond and a wildlife garden. The Nature House has hands on displays and a free trail guide, and the City runs free family events here through the year. The park is free, with free parking; the Nature House asks for a donation. No dogs allowed, to protect the bog.

A much loved park a short walk from the Kensington shops, with big lawns, a playground, cricket pitches and the Senator Patrick Burns Memorial Rock Garden, a terraced garden of local sandstone and flowers. In summer the children's wading pool opens, usually from mid June. Open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free, a City of Calgary park.

Calgary's only indoor public park: a hectare of tropical plants under a glass roof on the top floor of the CORE shopping centre downtown, with more than 500 trees, a living wall, fountains, fish ponds and a playground for kids. It is a warm green escape in winter, run by City of Calgary Parks. Free, open during the shopping centre's hours (generally Monday to Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, Sunday noon to 5 PM).

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.