Bowness Park is a favourite destination park all year round for activities such as outdoor skating in the winter and picnicking in the summer.
Note: Bowness Park is undergoing a redevelopment.
- The park is currently unavailable for special event bookings and, while every effort is being made to reduce disruptions in the park, we will be temporary closing the picnic sites at varying times so necessary work can be done. See what picnic sites will be closed when.
- The ParkSide Cafe has closed to accommodate construction. More info...
Location: 8900 48 Ave. N.W.
Area: 30 hectares
Park Hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily
Book a picnic site
Bowness Park map
Park features
- Paths
- Playground
- Shelters
- Washrooms
- Water fountains
- Bow River access
- Spray park (CLOSED for park redevelopment)
- Picnic areas
- Firepits and BBQ stands
- Outdoor ice skating (on lagoon)
- Cross-country skiing
About the park
Bowness Park is located along the Bow River between Stoney Tr. and 85 St. N.W. A shallow lagoon runs along the along the park's southern edge, a favourite spot for paddle boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Bowness Park highly used for picnicking and accessing the Bow River.
History
Bowness Park was built before the First World War by John Hextall, a local land developer. It was built in the town of Bowness as a weekend retreat for nearby Calgarians. The park once had a swimming pool, carousel and orthophonic device on the lagoon.
