Parks and Play

A waterfront park on Burrard Inlet with a sandy shore, picnic areas overlooking the water and Drummond's Walk. It opens at 7 am and closes at dusk from October to April. Free; there is a designated dog off leash area, but dogs are not allowed on the beach.

A seaside park near Horseshoe Bay whose waters are a designated saltwater marine protected area, known for diving, with views of Whyte Island from the Bassendale Terrace. Entry is free; pay parking applies year round and the lots close when full.

The original site of Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane's ranch, founded in 1881, now part of a public park run by the Town of Cochrane. It has picnic tables, an outdoor stage, seasonal washrooms and three first come, first served fire pits, plus the Men of Vision statue of a rider on horseback.

A fully enclosed dog off leash area in Pandora Park, completed in 2020, with double gates, gravel paths and benches. It is free to use.

A free downtown dog off leash area in Emery Barnes Park, with a main area for all dogs and a smaller area for small or shy dogs. Water is available for drinking and cleaning up in the main area.

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).