- Location: 8900 48 Ave. N.W.
- Area: 30 hectares
- Park Hours: 5 a.m. – 11 p.m.
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.
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.
