What is it?
About Bowness Park
Bowness park is located on land donated to the City of Calgary in 1911 by John Hextall. In olden days, there were a number of facilities in the park including swimming pool, scenic railway, the lagoon for canoeing and boating (with a fountain and central phonograph), a large dancing pavilion, a merry-go-round , picnic tables and shelters, swings and teeter-totters, camping sites and cabins which could be rented by the week or month .
Fast forward to today, boats for rent, fountains , and trains still exist.The lagoon is used extensively for skating in the winter. In summer, the picnic sites and open spaces for ball games are popular, as is a mini-golf.
Why to go & What to do?
Things to do at Bowness Park
Its a wonderful public park where you can enjoy a stroll along the river, have a picnic while kids have a go at the playground. In summer, you can go boating in the lagoon or go skating in winter. Kids can enjoy the train ride or can play mini golf. Of course, You can fish in the river.
Who all can go & enjoy ? – Bowness Park has something for everybody.
Where & How to go ?
Bowness Park Location & Directions
Located in the neighbourhood of north-west quadrant of Calgary on the Bow River in Bowness, the park can be reached by Bike (bow river pathway), car and public transport. The bus routes to Bowness Park with stops within half a kilometer are route 1, 407,40 & 305. GPS : 51.095949,-114.216167
How long will it take?
Time Required to Visit Bowness Park
One hour to three hours.
How much will it cost ?
Bowness Park Admission & Other Charges
The park is free but you have to pay for skate rental, boat rental, train ride and golf.
Miniature train – Cost: $3/person - 2 years and older, under 2 free
Boat rentals:
Canoe: $15/hour
Pedal boat: $20/half hour, $30/hr
valid photo i.d. and $20 deposit required on all rentals
half hour rentals only on busy weekends
Mini Golf : $5/person
Skate Rentals:
$5/pair (size 1 and smaller), no time limit
$8/pair (size 2 and up), no time limit
half price rentals from 5 – 6 p.m.
skate sharpening – $7/pair
stabilization bars – $8/each, no time limit
valid photo i.d. is required for all rentals
Recheck rates – here
When to go ?
Bowness Park Hours
The park hours are 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily, but timing varies for boating, skating, train rides etc.
ParkSide Café and Family Amusements will close during inclement weather which includes extreme temperatures (rain, snow, temperatures below -10 Celsius). Call ParkSide Café 403-286-8668 for information.
Miniature train: Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend (closed during winter season):
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 7 days/week. Train runs every 30 minutes
Boat rentals: Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m, 7 days/week
Mini golf: Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend (closed during winter season):
10 a.m. – 9 p.m, 7 days/week
Skate rentals: Open during skating season only (typically mid December – mid March):
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.7 days/week
What about Amenities, Access & Parking?
Bowness Park Amenities, Access & Parking
Playground. Shelters. Restrooms.Picnic areas (can be booked) .Fire pits and BBQ stands.Cafe.
Coffee shop
Summer Hours: Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.7 days/week
Winter Hours: December to end of skating season (Closed from Thanksgiving to early December to prepare for the winter skating season) and first weekend in April to Victoria Day:
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.7 days/week
Wheel chair accessible
Free parking onsite.
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Philip S, 1 year ago
It is a beautiful Park. We played mini golf. Unfortunately , the week end we went, the train was not running. My kid enjoyed riding his bike through the park.