The scenic Prince’s Island Park rests in downtown Calgary where it faces the Bow River. The urban park attracts many visitors with its beautiful riverfront views of landscapes and extensive pathways for walking and cycling and its delightful picnic areas with playgrounds and wildlife encounters in an urban setting. The park welcomes all visitors including local families who want nearby excitement and tourists who seek memorable Calgary experiences.
Outdoor festivals and daily adventures at this location provide endless chances for family bonding that create lasting memories. Discover the reasons why locals consider Prince’s Island Park to be the top green space within Calgary’s urban core.
Getting to Prince’s Island Park
The park could not be more conveniently located, nestled right between downtown and the trendy neighborhoods of Eau Claire and Bridgeland. Whether you choose to walk, bike, take public transit or drive, getting your family to Prince’s Island Park is a breeze.
The nearest CTrain stations are the Eau Claire and Bridgeland stops, both just a short walk away from park entrances. Or if the weather is nice, take the opportunity to walk or bike along the Bow River Pathways on either side of the river. Not only is it scenic, but it’s a great way to burn off some energy before time spent relaxing in the park!
For those driving in, there is free parking available at the Eau Claire parking lot off 3 Street SW as well as paid parking at Impark lots nearby. With the park so centrally located, we also recommend considering hiring LA Limo Service to transport your family in luxury and style!
Family-Friendly Activities
From wide open green spaces to shaded forested areas and paved pathways, Prince’s Island Park offers families countless opportunities to play, explore and make memories together.
Playgrounds and Open Spaces
The focal point of family fun is the park’s main playground featuring climbing structures, swings, slides, sandboxes and more! With separate areas designed for different age groups from toddlers to older children, kids of all ages are guaranteed to have a blast. When they need a break, stretch out on the open grass field nearby perfect for some frisbee, soccer or simple cartwheels while soaking up the sun.
Pathway Exploration
Prince’s Island Park’s pathways make exploring easy and fun for the whole family. Walk, bike or scoot along The Chevron Learning Pathway to discover a wide variety of trees and plants or to complete the activity booklet challenge.
Or meander along the picturesque riverfront promenades and bridges while keeping an eye out for wildlife. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy a rest on one of the many benches tucked alongside flower beds and calm water features.
Wildlife and Nature Observation
Part of what makes Prince’s Island Park so special are the many opportunities to observe nature and wildlife up close within the city. Follow the sounds of birds tweeting to spot songbirds, robins and chickadees in the trees or head over to the wetland area to watch mallard ducks and Canada geese peacefully float across the water.
Listen for the chance to hear frogs croaking too! Equipped with a pair of mini binoculars, kids will have a blast channeling their inner ornithologist while exploring the park.
Seasonal Events and Festivals
All year round, special events and festivals bring plenty of family-friendly entertainment, culture and excitement to Prince’s Island Park. Annual summer highlights include the Calgary Folk Music Festival with kids’ activities accompanied by non-stop tunes, or Canada Day celebrations filled with carnival rides and fireworks!
These lively events do attract large crowds, so arrive early to claim your spot and bring blankets, hats, fold-up chairs and sunscreen to stay comfortable. Most importantly, make sure little ones have their protective ear muffs ready for when the music and fireworks get loud! With the right preparation, these beloved events promise lifelong memories in the making.
When looking to provide entertainment at any of these venues, a Calgary DJ is always a great option.
Dining Options
Don’t let all that fun work up too big of an appetite without a plan for feeding the whole family! Fortunately, Prince’s Island Park offers plenty of family-friendly dining options to refuel between adventures.
Picnic Spots
Pack snacks and a blanket or lawn chairs and head to one of the park’s many picnic spots perfect for munching al fresco! For a shady setting, claim a table underneath the canopy of towering trees in the southeast corner. Or for riverside views, set up camp at a table along the northern bank and watch people tubing down the Bow River while you eat.
On-Site Dining
For heartier meals and treats, stop by the scenic River Café located right within Prince’s Island Park along the river’s edge. This all-ages restaurant includes an outdoor patio and provides stunning views of the city skyline. Enjoy breakfast classics, burgers, sandwiches plus coffee, baked goods, ice cream and more!
Nearby Eateries
With the park bordered by several popular Calgary neighborhoods, there is no shortage of family-friendly cafes and restaurants just a short walk away when convenient. Grab gourmet pizza in Bridgeland or check out the kid-approved food court at Eau Claire Market for almost any cuisine you crave from sushi to tacos!
Practical Information
A family adventure destination needs to offer all the right amenities to keep every member of the group happy and taken care of. Prince’s Island Park has families covered with plenty of helpful features.
Amenities
Clean and accessible washrooms are conveniently located at the north end of the park near the cafe as well as portable toilets brought in for large events.
Water bottle filling stations can also be found or simply pack water to enjoy refreshing portable water delivered right to your picnic spot or playground by hiring LA Limo Service! Scattered throughout are benches perfect for resting tired little legs too.
Safety Tips
As with any new environment, it’s important families take proper precautions and follow park regulations to ensure a safe, peaceful visit full of happy memories.
General guidelines worth noting are that Prince’s Island Park is open 5:30am to 11pm daily, alcohol and smoking are prohibited and pets must be kept on-leash at all times. Take care supervising young children near the water and advise tweens and teens to remain respectful of other visitors when biking or skateboarding along the pathways.
By taking sensible safety measures together as a family, you’re sure to have the very best experience while creating special moments to treasure!
Nearby Family Attractions
The best part about visiting Prince’s Island Park is that several other amazing family-friendly attractions lie close by! After a fun-filled morning at the playgrounds or picnic lunch along the river, take a short walk over to:
- Eau Claire Market: Browse kid-friendly shops and indulge in sweets from the food court!
- Calgary Zoo: See exotic animals from around the world at this world-class zoo.
- TELUS Spark Science Centre: Spark the imagination with interactive exhibits and educational programs.
The opportunities for lasting family memories are endless in and around Calgary’s beautiful Prince’s Island Park!
Conclusion
The central part of this lovely urban park which follows the Bow River contains numerous family-friendly recreational opportunities and cultural attractions and adventurous activities. The various family-friendly activities at Prince’s Island Park appeal to all ages from playground visits to picnic times and river walkways and animal observation as well as active participation in cultural occasions and special events.
Bring families together with their walking shoes snacks and imagination because the remarkable Prince’s Island Park of Calgary offers experiences that create lasting memories which children and adults will cherish forever. Prince’s Island Park is ready to welcome you and your family for creating spectacular water-side memories within its downtown paradise.