Bowness Park is a favourite destination park all year round for activities such as outdoor skating in the winter and picnicking in the summer. Bowness is also home to the ParkSide Cafe and Family Amusements.
Location: 8900 48 Ave. N.W.
Area: 30 hectares
Map of Bowness Park
Park Hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily
Book this park
Book picnic site
Notice: Bowness Park is currently in the planning stages of a redevelopment.
Park features
- Paths
- Playground
- Shelters
- Washrooms
- Water fountains
- Bow River access
- Spray park (9 a.m. - 9 p.m.) - open mid June to September long weekend
- Picnic areas
- Firepits and BBQ stands
- ParkSide Café
- Outdoor ice skating (on lagoon) - December 24 to end of February, 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- 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.
ParkSide Café and Family Amusements
ParkSide Café and Family Amusements will close during inclement weather which includes extreme temperatures (rain, snow, temperatures below -10 Celsius).
Note: ParkSide Café at Bowness Park is an independently run operation, call 403-286-8668 before heading to the park to verify the activities below are operational.
Coffee shop
Summer hours: Victoria Day weekend to last weekend in October, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days/week
Winter hours: December to end of skating season (Closed for month of November) and first weekend in April to Victoria Day, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., 7 days/week
Ice cream shop
Summer hours: Easter weekend to Labour Day, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days/week
Fall hours: Labour Day to last weekend in October, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days/week
Closed during winter season
Miniature train
Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend (closed during winter season):
- 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- 7 days/week
- Train runs every 30 minutes
- Cost: $3/person - 2 years and older, under 2 free
Boat rentals
Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend:
- 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- 7 days/week
Labour Day to last weekend in October (closed during winter season):
- 10 a.m. - 1 hour before sunset (hours may change slightly after Labour Day)
- open weekends only
Rental rates:
- Canoe: $15/hour
- Pedal boat: $20/half hour, $30/hr
- valid photo i.d. and $20 deposit required on all rentals
- half hour rentals only on busy weekends
Mini golf
Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend (closed during winter season):
- 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- 7 days/week
- $5/person
Skate
Rentals:
Open during skating season only (typically mid December - mid March):
- 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
- 7 days/week
Rates:
- $5/pair (size 1 and smaller), no time limit
- $8/pair (size 2 and up), no time limit
- half price rentals from 5 - 6 p.m.
- skate sharpening - $5/pair
- stabilization bars - $10/each, no time limit
- valid photo i.d. is required for all rentals
For more information, please call ParkSide Café 403-286-8668.
