Municipal Parks
Visitors to Alberta are often pleasantly surprised at the sheer number of parks, gardens and outdoor recreation spots in our urban areas. So if you are vacationing in one of our major cities, or smaller centres, you’ll still be able to experience the great outdoors.
Calgary
Calgary is home to two major natural parks. Fish Creek Provincial Park protects 2,800 acres of natural woodland, including a lake with a beach and many hiking and biking trails. Nose Hill Park covers over 2,700 acres, offers natural grassland and a spectacular city view, and excellent hiking.
Have a look at Calgary’s network of major city parks and you’ll find hundreds of playgrounds, several outdoor swimming pools, 550 km (342 mi) of continuous bike paths—the most extensive urban pathway system in North America—bird sanctuaries, parks made famous by rock formations, others for tipi camping, and 450 natural environment parks. And that’s just in one city.
Edmonton
Edmonton's lush North Saskatchewan River valley has come to be known as The "Ribbon of Green" and has the distinction of being the longest expanse of continuous urban parkland in North America. This river valley park system features 27,394 acres of parkland, includes 60 km (37 mi) of bicycle paths and 400 km (248.5 mi) of trails. Loved by anglers, canoeists and kayakers, the North Saskatchewan slices through the very heart of the city.
You will discover distinct personalities in Edmonton's 460 municipal parks. Twenty-two of them lie along the 48 km (30 mi) stretch of the river valley. Many of the city's festivals are held in river valley parks.
Around Alberta
Fort McMurray
One of Canada’s fastest growing cities is Fort McMurray, gateway to the oil sands, one of the world’s most extensive deposits of oil. In this boomtown you’ll find Heritage Park, a village featuring historic buildings, including a 1900s trapper’s cabin and Catholic mission, and a 1940s drug store. An extensive network of trails links downtown to the Athabasca River, where you’ll find dozens of recreational possibilities such as boating, fishing, hiking and jogging.
Grande Prairie
Grande Prairie, an oil and gas boomtown in northern Alberta, is a prime birding area. In Muskoseepi Park you’ll find an interpretive pavilion, a heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, mini-golf and canoe rentals. Lots of outdoor summer events are held at Evergreen Park including a farmers’ market, horse racing and harvest festivals.
Lethbridge
Fountains, picnic areas and bike paths aren’t the only offerings within the Lethbridge park system. Of the more than 300 Japanese gardens in North America, the city’s Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is ranked by specialists in the top 25—so put it on the top of your list. Indian Battle Park commemorates the last great battle between the Cree and Blackfoot, fought within city limits in 1870. Its 150 acres feature playgrounds, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits and walking trails.
Medicine Hat
Often called the "Oasis of the Prairies," Medicine Hat has more than 90 km (56 mi) of hiking/biking trails linking five major parks and many of the city’s municipal parks that dot the South Saskatchewan River valley. A favourite with families is Strathcona Island Park, with its spacious water park, wildlife pavilion and boat launch. In the winter season, it is a popular area for cross country skiers. Police Point Park is a favourite with naturalists. The 97.7 hectares (241.43 acres) of natural grasslands host diverse wildlife, flora and fauna. And be sure to visit the Saamis Archaeological Site, home of a 17th century First Nations winter camp. You’ll also find the world’s tallest tepee—over 20 stories high—which was built for the Winter Olympics in Calgary in 1988.
Red Deer
The largest urban centre between Calgary and Edmonton, Red Deer is another hub for outdoor recreation. Design your own biking or hiking route through Red Deer’s extensive park system. Start your morning off with a jog around the Bower Ponds in Waskasoo Park. Hike, cycle, roller blade, paddle on the river or head over to Heritage Ranch for a guided horseback ride. Wagon rides in the summer and sleigh rides in the winter are fun for the whole family.
