Ah, summer. The weather is warm, the sky is blue, and the whole family’s got a hankering for some freshly grilled barbecue. In Calgary, you don’t have to look far for a picturesque park to host your next summer cookout. There are plenty of parks and green spaces in and around the city where you can book an outdoor fire pit or picnic site.
We went on the hunt for local parks best suited to host a multi-person BBQ, so you don’t have to. Fire up the grill, grab a pair of tongs and get cooking!
The much-beloved Sandy Beach is a summertime staple in Calgary. In our landlocked province, it’s about the best thing you can get to a waterside beach day, with a gently rolling shoreline and a peaceful river.
Bookable picnic sites are located across from the nearby Elbow River, offering some great views of the water as you chow down with friends and family.
The water’s proximity to these sites makes it easy to transition from feasting to splashing in the warm waves. Sandy Beach also boasts some scenic nearby walking trails, making this a well-suited spot for active dog owners.
Where: 4500 14a St. SW
Scenic views abound at this local park that is a staple part of the Calgary northwest.
Redeveloped in 2016 and 2017, Prairie Winds boasts a tennis court, playground, basketball court, spray park, lazy river and outdoor wading pool, making it the ideal spot for large family gatherings.
A gentle breeze blows through this green space in summertime, and when standing at the top of one of the park’s many tall lookout hills, you’ll catch a scenic view of the city looking south.
With picnic sites stationed throughout the south side of the park and ample parking adjacent to Westwinds Crescent, Prairie Winds is well-suited for multigenerational gatherings.
Where: 223 Castleridge Blvd. NE
One of Calgary’s most popular parks and a destination green space for Bowness community members, Bowness Park is also a popular picnicking spot at the height of summer.
The shallow lagoon makes it a prized paddling locale, and in the winter, this water source freezes over for ice skating.
You can book a picnic site or fire pit all summer and winter long, which makes Bowness one of the most reliable year-round parks in the city.
One of the park’s most well-loved and whimsical summer attractions is the vintage Mini-Train hosted by the University of Calgary outdoor centre. You can ride the train or rent a boat and go for a paddle around the lagoon when the water is glasslike and warm during the summer months.
Where: 8900 48th Ave. NW
Picnic sites are available to the public at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis. For large parties, or if you want to reserve a site for a summer cookout, you can book ahead of time on the City of Calgary website. Happy picnicking!
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