Calgary has number of parks, which are run by Calgary Parks & Recreation. The most popular ones are on the South part of the city. These parks are easily accessible by car or by bike path. Bowness Park is the best known as a starting point for the Bow River rafters, and also for summer barbecues and baseball. This is the best location spot for outdoor ice-skating with its frozen lagoon and winding creek-beds. Prince’s Island is the finishing point for most Bow River rafters. This park is on downtown’s edge, so is very popular at lunch. You can delight refreshments at Eau Claire Market.

Devonian Gardens, this 2.5 acre indoor park on the top floor of TD square of downtown. There are about 20,000 plants, waterfalls, fountains, bridges, reflecting pools, art gallery and a playground under its massive glass roof. In winter, the pool becomes an outdoor skating rink. Talisman Centre at Lindsay Park is a quiet treed park on the Elbow River bike path and has jungle gyms for the kids to play on. This park is close to downtown and also has bridges across the Elbow.

Stanley Park is the river-side park close to downtown, cuddled between Elbow Rive and Macleod Trail. Swim at the outdoor pool, which opens from mid-June to Labour Day, or wade in Elbow River. Play tennis or lawn bowling.

River Park/Sandy Beach is the park famous for barbecues and kids playing on the swings beside the river. There is a pebbly beach on the Elbow River. On the top of the bluff overlooking the river, play frisbee, touch football, or walk your dog while enjoying a great view of downtown, which is only 5km away.

Glenmore Park has several picturesque picnic spots, with wonderful scenes of the lake and up the Elbow River toward the Rockies. It has a blue boat house, home to the Calgary Rowing Club and the Calgary Canoe Club. The open fields of Glenmore make this as best spot of Calgary for flying kites.