- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Prince's Island Park
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
17 reviews for Prince's Island Park
17 reviews in English
-
Review from Eric B.
12/20/2010
Prince's Island Park is literally in the back yard of one of my Company's Canadian Headquarters. I have walked this park before work, over lunch, and after work, and sometimes all the way to Kensington. On the last trip, Gayle and I walked it hand-in-hand, as we admired the lush green space and the Mighty Bow.
The Park itself was named after Peter Anthony Prince, the founder of the Eau Claire Lumber Mill. The park was built on land donated in 1947 to the city by the Prince family. The island is about 20 hectares big and is linked by three bridges to Eau Claire and downtown Calgary and a north bridge to Memorial Drive and the community of Crescent Heights. It is part of the pathway and hiking trail system lining both sides of the Bow River. The southern arm of the river has been landscaped, while the eastern end of the island re-creates a wetland environment. Geese, mallard ducks, and other wildlife (and droppings) are abundant in the park.
I love this urban oasis, and comparisons to Golden Gate Park (SF), Lithia Park (Ashland), and Bidwell Park (Chico) immediately come to mind. Places like this soothe the soul and help put the Downtown Business lifestyle into perspective. -
Review from Wendy P.
I'm still in love with Prince's Island Park. This year, I've taken to running through it when I'm out attempting to look like I'm really an athlete.
In the spring, there are oodles of blossoms along the pathways to sniff out and photograph. You'll often see people along the banks of the river, playing a tune on their guitars for their sweethearts (I actually did see this once!), playing fetch with a stick with their dogs, or just enjoying the gorgeousness that is Prince's Island.
Even on warm winter days, many an office worker is out taking a stroll, jog, or speed walk on their lunch hour. And on the days it's cold enough, the pond turns into a skating rink.
And then, as mentioned in my previous reviews, there are all the festivals... wonderful, wonderful festivals :).Listed in: Downtown Cowtown, Favourite spots, Calgary parks, Beautiful places and open…, Particip-ACTION!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
11/16/2010
Every time of the year is a pretty time in Prince's Island Park. Being that I spend a lot of time… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sarah Louise F.
Calgary, AB
11/21/2011
My most recent experience at Prince's Island Park while sitting on a rock trying to write, and being interrupted by a gentleman with a mohawk, a shark tooth around his neck, and Ed Hardy rip off shoes.
Stranger: There are a lot of birds.
Sarah Louise: Why, yes there are.
Stranger: Do you like birds?
Sarah Louise: Yes. I'm sorry, but I'm trying to write.
(long pause)
Stranger: (thoughtfully) What's your favourite kind of bird?
Sarah Louise: (with obvious irritation) An owl, I guess.
Stranger: WANT TO KNOW MINE?
Sarah Louise: Not in particular.
Stranger: THE RAPTOR.
(pause)...
Stranger: Want to know why?
(pause continues)....
Stranger: BECAUSE IT IS THE MASTER OF THE SKY.
(still no response)
Stranger: WHATS YOUR FAVOURITE LAND ANIMAL?!
Unfortunately, this mostly one ended conversation went on for nearly twenty minutes as I waited for my friend who I was to meet in that particular area of the park, until said stranger tried to touch my hair and I issued an actual slap. From now on, I will be bringing a bodyguard to Prince's Island Park.
That aside though, I love how this park comes alive most of the summer time with all the festivals and what not. Calgary Folk Festival is my personal favourite, where I can be found for the entire weekend drinking sangrias, swooning over all of my favourite bands, and hopping on the rocks next to the beautiful river. The park is always gorgeous, with the exception of when the City of Calgary decides that construction is awesome. Stupid peace bridge. A great place to bring visitors to the city if there's something going on, although I prefer less busy parks for when I want to actually just chill uninterrupted.
(11/30)Listed in: a november of yelp
-
Review from Vishnu V.
11/18/2011
A very spacious, clean (ofcourse during summer :P) and well lit place during nights.
It has good pavements, walkways , benches, water fountain etc.
The park is pretty big spread over from 1st street to 10thstreet downtown by the bow river. Very good place for night, evening walks.
I happened to walk through all over the park during canada day celebrations. Though there was so big crowd, as this park was huge, it was able to handle that without any problem.
Lots of space to sit by the water channel of bow river that passes in between the park. Good to go with friends, as couples etc..
A sure shot park to visit in calgary.
Yelp's 30 day challenge - 9/30. -
Review from Angelo T.
7/19/2011
Great park for strolls, people watching and on the odd day- rollerblading, they also have the folk fest here which is a perfect place to have a festival where so much music floats around and walking around the grounds is a great experience.
I was first skeptical about the park this year given all the construction going on to put up those stupid condos, stupid because I'm actually jealous because I'll probably never have the chance to live it up there like Patrick Bateman can. Still the park is back to is magnificent summer self, and the peak of every sunny day shows how many people enjoy leisurely strolls, marathon-in-training jogs, and road-rash-waiting-to-happen shirtless rollerblading.
Even on a sunny day when everyone visits, I find that there are still areas one can steal away to and jump into the zen-zone. I prefer the stillness of the water fall just beside the wooden bridge. Some prefer looking/feeding the wild geese/ducks. I don't, I hate those animals -
Review from Rick C.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful park right on the river and next to downtown Calgary. I was visiting and went for a run along the river walk. It was clean and looks fairly new. Flower baskets everywhere. Many people running, biking. Some more doing yoga and kettle bells next to the parking area on the other side of the river. This is a great place to park because there is a footbridge across the river to Prince's Island.
-
Review from Ash g.
9/27/2010
YES BEST PARK I'VE BEEN TO IN MAYBE FOREVER.
ugh i am wishing right now that i was anywhere but home (sorta trying to finish a BA this may) and that got me reminiscing about my last trip away back to one of my favorite cities, one I hold dear to my heart, CALGARY.
I hadn't been back in 8 years, so when my father told me he had to go to Calgary for his work, the week before school started, he asked if I wanted to tag along. OF COURSE. I grew up frequently going to Calgary when i was 7 to 14 years old (it was the first place i saw snow!) so my pending trip back got me thinking about all the cool things i used to do going there. Top of the list was PRINCE'S ISLAND PARK.
I was so excited to see that it hadn't changed in the past 8 years, I mean you can't really mess with perfection right!? As I walked over the bridge and biked down the paths memories upon memories starting flooding my mind. AND i made a bundle of new memories as I casually biked the many routes along the bow river and stopped to talk with the ducks and geese along the way.
If you find yourself in this up-and-coming, beautiful, friendly city then you best check out Prince's Island Park. Great place to be during summer, and everyone knows that.
You can sit along the many benches that the park provides or roll out a blanket and enjoy your ice cream from one of the ice cream trucks nearby or your coffee from the mall across the street, and watch the people and day go by in the fresh open air. i can imagine that during the fall and winter this park doesn't get as much use but is still amazingly beautiful with the autumn foliage and snow. Calgary's city planners did a great job creating this park. So easy for so many people to enjoy whether your riding a bike, rollerblading, walking your dog, pushing a stroller, skateboarding, whatever!
I hope it doesn't take me another 8 years to get back to Calgary.
TIP: The Bow River Parkway is used by loads commuters into downtown Calgary during the summer. if you find yourself casually biking during rush hour (4-6pm) then just be aware. Stay off to the right and cruise and let these guys/girls pass ya (they are serious).
ALL OF A SUDDEN your music is getting remixed with the sound of bike bells chiming in the background, this is just other bikers letting you know that they are behind, close, gonna pass, roll up past yah. REMEMBER to use your bike bell too, it let's pedestrians know you like pass em and is definitely the way to communicate and makes everything go smoothly. -
Review from Sheila D.
Calgary, AB
8/16/2011
I love going to Prince's Island Park with friends, family and when we have out of town guests. They are in love with the park after visiting it too. I'm from Edmonton and just moved here 1.5 yrs ago. We have some wonderful parks in Edm.. but nothing like this one. I'm a big fan of the ice cream vendor near the kids spray park too. Wish i could find a place in Cgy that sells the same. Its made with cream.. not ice milk. Yum Yum Yummmmmy. I heard its going to be another hot wknd.. so i'll probably be back there again. Cheers!!
-
Review from Mike M.
Calgary, AB
New York City has Central Park, Chicago has Millenium Park and Calgary thankfully has Princes Island Park.
In an earlier review Katie C. called PIP an oasis and I couldn't agree more. There is just always so much going on here all the time. Whether it is Shakespeare in the Park, Calgary Folk Music Festival or even just a good ol' game of Ultimate frisbee, this park is literally for everyone. They also have an amazing playground that I have been known to play once and a while!
The west side of the island always has a tons of people, so if you are looking for a quieter experience, head on over to the east side (waaah-wahhh) and go for a walk around the trails. Make sure you look for the beaver house and sometimes I've even seen the beavers wandering the paths.
For visitor's to Calgary, this is always a "Must-do!"Listed in: Acting like a kid in the YYC!, Down with couches!
-
Review from Katie C.
Calgary, AB
12/6/2009
Prince's Island Park is Calgary's central oasis for just about everybody. There is a lot to see and do, and plenty of nooks and crannies to hide. For me, that means that while it is fun, I would not wander around that park at night by myself.
In the summer, it is the perfect hang out spot. It is lush and green, with lots of trees and picnic tables and places to play frisbee and soccer or just lie out in the sun. The Canada Day celebrations are always tons of fun, and the folk festival is pretty great too.
I love the layout, the river, and the size of the island/park. There is a lot to explore. The paths are beautiful and there is both riverfront territory along with some inland that has a great view. It is the perfect place for a bike ride in the summer.
I used to love wandering through the bushes with my friends when I was younger. We'd always uncover evidence of people "camping" - it's remoteness allows for some sketchy goings on. Putting that aside, it has a great view of downtown, places to feed the ducks, and is all around beautiful. I am full of love. -
Review from Moez T.
Calgary, AB
11/14/2009
When you live near the core, like I used to, it's impossible to avoid Prince's Island Park. Add to that, the park was my on my walk to work, which meant that for over 3 years I walked through this park daily.
The park is home to several festivals during the summer months. A great variety of events take place in and around the park throughout the year. I have probably attended dozens of them, each one improved by the beauty of the park. With lots of space to walk around, the crowds never seem too much no matter what festival you are attending.
As far as just walking or rollerblading or biking, the park is amazing. I have walked and rollerbladed through the park countless times. There are amazing views, tonnes of sunlight, and lots of other people. If you enjoy watching people (but not through a bedroom window), Prince's Island Park is the place to be. -
Review from Chad W.
Calgary, AB
12/12/2008 1 photo
Princes Island Park is rather cool. It's situated in the middle of the Bow River and offers plenty of pathways, plenty of wildlife, and a really cool place to hang out and be active during Calgary's warm summer months.
It is here where Calgary holds the Folk Fest, a huge international event that brings some of the world's finest folk entertainers to play a huge multiple-day festival in the park. Tickets to go to this event aren't even all that expensive. Too be honest, I swam across the Bow River and snuck into the Folk Fest without anyone noticing. To say the least, it was a real adventure.
The island is pretty big and offers plenty of places to jog, play Frisbee, or to rip up a round of hackie-sack or two with some blunt-blazing buddies.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
-
Review from Sapna G.
Calgary, AB
10/27/2009
I LOVE Prince's Island Park. For those of you who have never been, picture a park across the Bow River where a lot of the city's main events happen. We're talkin' The Folk Festival, The Teddy Bear Picnic, Shakespeare in the Park, Canada Day, Carifest, Expo Latino, Afrikadey and Barbecue On The Bow, just to name a few.
It is linked to the city by three bridges and in some parts are beautiful wetlands where you can go to watch geese and ducks.
When the summer hits, Prince's Island Park is the place to be. Whether you want to have a picnic, enjoy the festivities or just hang out and listen to some great music, Prince's Island Park has got it all. -
Review from Fatima E.
Calgary, AB
3/21/2011
I don't go here nearly enough, it's so beautiful. I'm pretty excited for winter to be over so that I can go hang here without actually freezing to death, I'll wait until the grass and all the trees are green.
-
Review from Joey N.
Calgary, AB
2/1/2011
The park is close to Eau Claire Market and downtown. Very nice along the Bow River, also has a lake in the park with fountain and bridges. Nice way to spend a romantic afternoon strolling in the park with your love one!
-
Review from lyn c.
Calgary, AB
11/28/2010
Wonderful place to meander, run, cycle or hang out almost all year long. Summer is especially fine for the Festivals: Shakespeare in the Park, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Carifest, Canada Day, Heritage Day celebration, Afrikadey, Expo Latino, Barbecue on the Bow. Or just make your own celebration. Bring a camera. And, check out the ducks and geese on the water.
-
Review from T D.
7/8/2010
Perfect place to walk around and relax, or a great starting place for a jog. If you are jogging, head west and cross at any of the bridges for a good loop. The park itself is an inner city jem which usually has events and activities going on during the summer.
