Come to our ice skating party at Bowness Park

Have you been to the new and improved Bowness Park yet? On Saturday, Feb. 7, you are invited to a skating party to celebrate the park’s re-opening after a major redevelopment and recovery from the 2013 flood.

The party, happening between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., is being hosted by The City of Calgary and the Bowness Community Association.

Come out and enjoy a skate around the amazing lagoon, take in a horse-drawn wagon ride, tap your feet to live local music from the Bownesians, and indulge in free hot chocolate and munchies while supplies last. Officials from The City of Calgary and Province of Alberta will give brief speeches at noon.

Free skate rentals

No skates? No problem! KidSport will be at the party with free skate rentals for Calgarians who don’t have skates on hand.

We look forward to seeing you there! Join our Facebook event to receive updates and invite your friends.

Bowness Park Redevelopment

Our goal with the redevelopment is to strengthen park visitors’ relationship with water, both with the river and the lagoon, in summer and winter. The large deck overlooking the lagoon allows for better access for skating and boating. And there is now an accessible pathway that runs along the edge of the Bow River.

“The Bowness Park redevelopment was designed to celebrate the rich history of the park and enhance park visitors’ experience,” states Michelle Reid, cultural landscape lead for Parks. “This park is very popular with Calgarians and we wanted to enhance it for visitors now and in the future.”

Now that the redevelopment is mostly complete, with 75 per cent of the park open to the public, Bownesians and Calgarians alike will be able to enjoy Bowness Park’s charm once again. Final touches of the redevelopment will happen in 2015/2016 with the installation of the restored mini train and construction of a new wading pool.

More information on Bowness Park and the redevelopment project.

Submitted by Corinna Baxter, Parks

Skating at Bowness Park to open for Christmas

Lace up your skates - the Bowness Park lagoon will be open for skating on Christmas Day!

“We’re really pleased to be able to open the lagoon for skating this year, after being closed for the past two years due to the park’s redevelopment,” says Doug Marter, manager for Parks.

“There’s just something magical about this park and skating on the lagoon, especially at Christmas with the lights twinkling and the fire crackling.”

Along with skating, visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy new features. A new central pedestrian area offers visitors a place to sit and warm up by the new fire pits, as well as easier access to the lagoon.

Later in 2015, the stunning new teahouse will feature a restaurant and market aptly named Seasons of Bowness Park which will offer visitors delicious snacks, tasty meals, or a cup of coffee while watching the kids skate or simply taking in the remarkable view of the lagoon.

“The redevelopment of the park was designed to allow Calgarians better access to the water,” says Marter. “We’ve also reconfigured the trails and pathways, and moved the Parks depot away from the river bank so citizens can connect with water and nature while in the park.”

Creating a functional and enjoyable space to be used year-round as well as sustaining the ever-increasing number of visitors was an important priority, adds Marter.

“It’s been a long process,” says Councilor Ward Sutherland. “Especially with Mother Nature throwing us some challenges - the June 2013 flood and the September 2014 snow storm. But, we are excited to once again enjoy this great park and be part of the memories that future generations will treasure.”

NOTE: The concession building is still under construction and skate rentals are not available at this time. Please make sure to bring your skates and any other supplies needed.

Celebration in February

In February 2015, The City of Calgary and the Bowness Community Association will host a city-wide celebratory skating party, with brief speeches from The City of Calgary and Province of Alberta officials, as well as the local community.

All Calgarians will be invited to the skating party on February 7, so be sure to watch for details on the Bowness Park Redevelopment web page. Activities will include skating, a sleigh or wagon ride, local music, hot chocolate and refreshments (while supplies last). We look forward to seeing you there!

The City of Calgary Parks has five other outdoor skating rinks. Please visit calgary.ca for a complete list and the status of skating.

Bowness Park to completely reopen by end of year

With work well underway, The City of Calgary is anticipating a full reopening of Bowness Park by the end of 2014.

Top: Tea house. Left to right: Pathway work, completed work and picnic site.

The City had anticipated partially reopening the park this summer, but due to the extent of flood damage in the park, a labour shortage and an unusually harsh and long winter, redevelopment has been delayed.

“The park really took a hit last year during the flood,” says Doug Marter, Parks Manager. “It’s been a challenge for us to get the park’s redevelopment back on track after the flood.”

At the time of the flood , about 40-50 per cent of the redevelopment had been done. The flood washed up to five feet of water into the park, scouring out the majority of the pathway system and leaving debris piles more than 2.5 metres tall. In total, the flood caused approximately $3.2 million in damages to the park (more photos).

Redevelopment work helped reduce damage

“The damage could’ve been even worse,” says Marter. “Some of the redevelopment that was completed, such as the berms along the shoreline, helped reduce bank erosion and prevent ripping of the shore.”

Power, gas and potable water have just begun to be restored and without these utilities, the Parks department hasn’t been able to provide washrooms.

Plan to celebrate new features

Once reopened, Calgarians will be able to enjoy a new centralized parking area, renovated picnic sites, a brand new concession facility and gathering space, and better lagoon access for skating and boating. The park’s historic and well-loved mini train will also be back.

To celebrate, The City and the Bowness Community Association are planning a skating party at the park. More details will be available as the weather cools and becomes conducive to skating.

More information about the park’s redevelopment.