The Blue Sky City’s newest green space is inspired by the river that flows right by it. It’s also a must-see stop for your next stroll along the Bow (and through nearby Prince’s Island Park). Eau Claire Plaza officially opened on July 2, and the redesigned mixed-use green and community space has plenty of nature-inspired elements to encourage play and exploration.
Although the park made its debut recently, it’s already been abuzz with activity, hosting this year’s Mexifest and other cultural events in the height of summer.
According to the City of Calgary, the Eau Claire Plaza redesign was part of a refreshed vision for the Eau Claire area, allowing for more flexible year-round use for the popular jogging, dog walking and commuting pathway through the heart of downtown Calgary.
“It’s new design embraces everyday community gatherings in addition to spaces for hosting larger events and festivals,” the City said in a statement.
Here are a few features of the newly redesigned Eau Claire Plaza we’re especially excited about:
The Urban Plaza: A community gathering space
This formal multi-level gathering space features a raised central stage. Designed as a multi-use event and community space, it’s also flexible and adaptable enough to host events of all kinds. The surrounding grass and pathways leave plenty of room for audience members to lounge at shows, festivals and celebrations.
Riverside Terrace: Discovery through play
The Riverside Terrace perfectly integrates the plaza with the neighbouring Bow River and Prince’s Island Park. River rock is strategically placed along the former wading pool, which has been updated with an engaging mist feature.
Fallen logs provide natural seating areas around the newly installed sand beach, perfect for lounging and taking in some of that renowned Calgary sunshine. The Riverside Terrace creates a natural transition from park to river, emphasized by its environmental design.
Plaza Promenade: Connection to downtown
A multi-use pathway, this wide walking area runs down the length of the plaza on the west side, allowing for plenty of space for cyclists, scooters, dog walkers, and pedestrians.
Warm string lights glow overhead, lighting up the promenade at night all the way from the RiverWalk pathway to the south bank of the Bow River.
Market Street: Honouring our heritage
This multi-purpose street is a flexible space designed to integrate the plaza with Eau Claire Market.
It’s also a bit of a blast from the past: Calgarians will enjoy the Olympic Arch, which was created for the city when it hosted the 1988 Winter Olympic Games and has been a permanent fixture in Eau Claire Plaza for the past three decades.
The Eau Claire & Bow River Lumber Company building is a well-known historic site that has been restored and reimagined as a future tenant space. Gateway timbers that flank the plaza were salvaged from the Riverside Forest Fire that devastated Mt. Hood National Forest in 2020. These timbers have been thoughtfully integrated into the plaza’s redesign, honouring the site’s lumber history.
Be sure to check out Eau Claire Plaza before summer ends — it’s worth the visit.
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Em Medland-Marchen
Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, their dogs Bandit and Stanley, and walks along the Bow River.
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