Before booking a picnic site

The following 10 parks have picnic sites that are available for rent. Please view the picnic site information chart for details on location, site amenities, capacity, fees, power outlets, washroom accessability and more.

• Bowness Park
• Carburn Park
• Edworthy Park
• North Glenmore Park
• Pearce Estates Park
• Prarie Winds Park
• Sandy Beach Park
• Stanley Park
• South Glenmore Park
• Shouldice Park

 Things to know before booking a picnic site

• There is a difference between picnic bookings and special event bookings at picnic sites.
• Picnic bookings: Sites can be reserved in advance and permit the use of the existing facilities that are at the chosen site. This may include one or more of the following: picnic tables, fire pit, barbeque, pavilion/shelter or power, in an assigned area. Function is strictly limited to picnic-type activities and does not require additional equipment to be brought on site, other than additional backyard propane-fuelled BBQs.
• Special events: These are events that have a greater impact on neighbouring communities than casual or intended park use. They will range in size, but generally involve the use of additional equipment (i.e. tents, inflatables, etc). Please check the Before booking a park, pathway or greenspace page to determine the booking process for your event.

• Please note: there is ongoing construction occuring at Bowness Park in 2012:
• Parking will be more limited than in previous years. Groups cannot be guaranteed that that the parking lot nearest their booked site will be open at time of use and need to be prepared to park further away and walk to picnic sites. Carpooling is strongly encouraged to reduce traffic and avoid possible parking issues.
• Due to the above-mentioned parking limitations, for 2012 Sites 1, 3, 4 and 5’s maximum capacities have been reduced and site fees adjusted accordingly. Please see the fee chart on the picnic site information chart.
• This year Bowness Park is available for picnic activity only.
• Special Events and Festivals cannot be accommodated in 2012 due to the uncertainty of parking, accessibility, etc.
• Customers wishing to bring in bouncy castles, caterers, tents, dunk tanks, BBQs needing vehicle access, etc will need to consider an alternate park site. Use of propane fuelled BBQs are still fine as BBQs can be carried or wheeled in without vehicle access.
• Users must be prepared for impacts such as noise and parking limitations caused by construction. Refunds will not be issued for reasons related to construction activities, after the picnic has occurred. Normal cancellation and inclement weather refunds still apply. 
  
  
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited in any public use area.  Park sites are monitored by City of Calgary Parks staff and/or By-Law Enforcement Officers.
• Dogs are allowed in the parks if they are on a leash, except in designated off-leash areas.
• Handicapped accessibility: The picnic sites and washroom facilities are accessible, with assistance. For details, review the picnic site information chart. We strongly recommend you visit to the site to ensure it is suitable for your group's use.
• Playground areas and parking are for general public use only and are not included as part of the picnic site booking.
• Picnic site rental rates are based on the number of people attending.

Time slots for picnic site bookings

• Picnic sites are booked in six hour blocks, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. for all parks except Bowness Park and Prairie Winds Park.
• The picnic sites at Bowness Park and Prairie Winds can be booked from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., or 3:15 to 9:15 p.m. On weekends, Bowness Park is not bookable in the afternoon slot, only 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. is available to book. After 2:45 p.m., the Park is open to the public on a first come, first served basis.
• Please note that due to the high volume of citizens enjoying the amenities, Bowness Park is not available for booking on long weekends.
• Should your picnic overlap the 6 hour blocks, you are able to book and pay for both six hour blocks, and reserve the site all day.

Timelines for booking periods and applications

• Picnic site bookings commence on the first business day of the New Year. 
• Picnic sites can be rented from the May long weekend until the Thanksgiving weekend in October. The exception is site #1 at Bowness Park, which can be booked year-round. 
• Picnic site bookings for weekends must be made no later than 12 pm on the Wednesday prior to the weekend.
• Weekday bookings must be made at least three full business days in between the date of request and the date of booking (i.e. if you wish to book on a Friday, the booking request must be made by Monday).