7/15/2010

I have been visiting the park since I was a toddler and am now 33 years old and still regard it as the most wonderful place in the world. I look forward to each and every summer reopening and am thrilled every time I get to come back. There really is no place like it for me...in fact I have found through my travels and in cities I have lived in over the years I have closed my eyes and envisioned the farm, the steam train, the bakery.... the fort and it has brought me back to my childhood and a place of calm I experience nowhere else in the world.

Every summer the staff and volunteers never fail to exceed my expectations. They are always friendly and informative. One day in particular, I believe it was on Heritage Day, the park was filled to the brim with people, I watched the employees handle the crowds, the stress even the heat with patience and diligence. They never stopped smiling, not once, particularly in the cafe. Most of the high-end restaurants in the city could stand to learn a thing or two from your staff, as they always seem to be performing at their best.

I recently visited the park for a Valentines dinner. The food was absolutely to die for!! The Butternut Squash soup was out of this world and the desert selection was incredible. The service was outstanding as usual, prompt, not intrusive at all, absolutely perfect. The rose at the end of the evening was such a wonderful touch to what was already a perfect experience.

I highly recommend you make a visit to Heritage Park if you haven't already. There are many different events throughout the year and their comprehensive website will direct you where you need to go.

Enjoy!

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12/20/2009

Heritage park is a true testament to Calgary's old west culture. And it has GHOSTS! Seriously, guys this place is awesome.

I love that there are new things for me to love, and I've been visiting on a fairly regular basis for twenty years! And there are the old things too. I will love the candy store forever. When I have grandkids, even though I probably won't live in Calgary anymore, I will take them there and then buy them a bunch of candy (old and new!) and sneak in a bunch for myself.

The paddleboat is awesome, but you have to time it right to catch it. I really think the best ways to see the park are by steam locomotive or by horse-drawn cart. The horse carriages are the best in the winter.

There is a small town, as well as outer-lying businesses and a funpark made of antique rides. All of the buildings are as authentic as possible: many were removed from their original location and painstakingly restored on the park grounds. That's why they come with ghosts!

I've been here many times in many capacities: with family during Once upon a Christmas, where I would delight in buying gifts for my parents from the "Kids Only" store (their money, of course). Then I visited as a University student, where we had a tour with one of the Communications managers and learned about the more intricate elements of the park. I attended a work party in the barn, which was a roaring good time (though I could have gone without the square dancing).

Summer, winter, whenever: Heritage Park has a lot to offer in terms of fun and education on Alberta's heritage. I'm really proud that we have a park of this caliber in our city limits.

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11/23/2009 21 photos

I hadn't been to Heritage Park in about 15 years, and yesterday I decided it was time I take a trip down memory lane.

Heritage Park is celebrating Christmas early right now with it's 'Once Upon A Christmas' event. It's a month-long celebration to get everyone into the spirit of Christmas.

Here is a summary of what I absolutely LOVED about Heritage Park:

- Brand Spankin' new, Heritage Park now has a FREE zone for all to enjoy. They have created a skating rink out front and anyone and everyone is welcome to come and skate around the rink while Christmas music plays.

- Also brand spankin' new, Gasoline Alley Museum is now open for all to see. It's got loads of cool vintage cars and gas pumps and it's awesome.

- The Mercantile plaza has got a slew of stores in which you can purchase Christmas ornaments, old-school collectibles, children's toys, clothing, jewellery, books, Christmas gifts and fudge!!!

- There are a slew of houses and shops on the grounds that you can visit and at different hours, there will be performances. IE: We went into the Church and there was Christmas caroling!

- Also brand spankin' new is Candy Cane Corral in which you can actually see real, live reindeer! Check out the pictures I uploaded to the Heritage Park profile.

- The Alberta Bakery in Heritage Park makes the most delicious bread EVER! We bought sausage rolls and cheese buns. YUM.

- The entire downtown strip at Heritage Park is fascinating. You go from one store to the next and check out how things used to be. There's even a candy store, an interactive train display, a kids only store and a dairy barn!

As you can see, there is a TONNE of things to see and do at Heritage Park. I've only listed a mere few things and it's a great way to spend a few hours with the family. What's even more amazing about Heritage Park is that ALL of the above and then some can be experienced by purchasing a ticket that costs ONLY around $10. $10?!?!?!? That's less than it costs to see a movie!!! It's one of the cheapest ways, yet one of more fascinating ways to spend a few hours with the ones you love.

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10/28/2008

Heritage Park rests on the banks of Calgary's beautiful and spacious Glenmore Reservoir. In the park, one will find the historic village that offers insight into the history of the prairies. Authenticism is on their agenda for sure and these guys do a fairly good job, despite lack of appropriate funding for such a business: a steam locomotive, an old-school paddleboat that carries tourists around the Rez at a whooping 2 kmph. They have a few ancient fairground rides too.

On the lands surrounding the Heritage Park facilities are gorgeous bike paths and a massive circular rock beach. There are even sailing facilities located on-site.

I remember, as a teenager, we'd always come here to smoke reef on warm summer days and bask in the sun.

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