Bowness Park
Location: 8900 48 Ave. N.W.
Area: 30 hectares
Park Hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily
Bowness Park is located along the Bow River between Stoney Tr. and 85 St. N.W. A shallow lagoon runs along the along the park's southern edge, a favourite spot for paddle boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Bowness Park highly used for picnicking and accessing the Bow River.
Park Features
- Paths
- Playground
- Shelters
- Washrooms
- Water fountains
- Bow River access
- Spray park
- Picnic areas
- Firepits and BBQ stands
- ParkSide Café
- Outdoor ice skating (on lagoon)
- Skate rentals and skate sharpening available at the ParkSide Café
- Cross-country skiing
History
Bowness Park was built before the First World War by John Hextall, a local land developer. It was built in the town of Bowness as a weekend retreat for nearby Calgarians. The park once had a swimming pool, carousel and orthophonic device on the lagoon.
ParkSide Café and Family Amusements
ParkSide Café and Family Amusements will close during inclement weather which includes extreme temperatures (rain, snow, temperatures below -10 Celsius).
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
Ice Cream Shop:
Easter weekend to Thanksgiving weekend (closed during winter season):
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
7 days/week
Miniature Train Hours:
Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend (closed during winter season):
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
7 days/week
Train runs every half hour on the half hour.
Cost: $3/person - 2 yrs. and older, under 2 free.
Boat Rentals:
Boats are unavailable during the winter season.Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend:
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
7 days/week
Labour Day to first weekend in October (closed during winter season):
10 a.m. - 1 hour before sunset
weekends only
Rental rates:
- Canoe: $20/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:
Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend (closed during winter season):
10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
7 days/week
$5/person
Skate Rentals
Open during skating season only (typically mid December - mid March):10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Rates:
7 days/week
- $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
For more information, please call ParkSide Café 403-286-8668.