Categories: Lifestyle

This crescent-shaped Calgary park is a duck’s paradise and a biker’s dream

Photo via Cee Pham/Shutterstock

This vast park in north Calgary was once called the city’s “North Hill Coulee.”

Today, it’s a sprawling, crescent-shaped green space — one that’s especially beautiful in fall, when the temperature drops, and the leaves light up in yellow, red, and gold.

The park was created in 1967 to mark the centennial of Canadian Confederation. It also boasts an eight-hectare wetland section running between 14th Street NW and 30th Avenue NW, one of the largest in Calgary.

Across 14th Street NW is West Confederation Park, a well-known recreation area with a tobogganing hill, golf course, and a bike pump track.

There is a north portion and a south portion separated by 10th Street NW, giving this park two very distinct vibes. The south portion is significantly busier and has more active paths and cross-country ski trails in the winter, while the north side is quieter and more well-suited to walking.

Each park picnic site is named after one of our great Canadian provinces, running from British Columbia in the far west to Newfoundland in the far east.

There’s a lot more than activity trails and walking paths to enjoy in this pristine park, though, especially during the fall season. Here are a few of our favourite things.

Photo via City of Calgary

Wetlands beloved by wildlife

At the centre of Confederation Park is a managed wetland, accessible to the public.

Mature deciduous and coniferous trees run along the stream and throughout the park, which turn a stunning golden hue in the fall.

Trees, shrubs and aquatic vegetation provide habitat for a number of birds and other wildlife.

There’s even a duck pond with a viewing platform in the north portion of the park. Near the natural playground, you can enjoy blue-winged teal and mallard ducks bobbing up and down in the gentle waters.

Photo via City of Calgary

A pumped-up bike track

The Parks Foundation, in partnership with the City of Calgary, recently built a new pump track in the southeast corner of West Confederation Park.

The project received funding from the federal government through PrairiesCan. They successfully advocated for the inclusion of the track, which has grown in popularity over the years.

The bike pump track features beginner and intermediate options, accommodating all ages and abilities, and serving communities in Calgary’s north.

It also looks like non-stop fun. We can’t wait to give it a try!

Photo via City of Calgary

Well-maintained ski trails

In the winter, Confederation Park is a well-known cross-country ski destination for Calgarians.

The groomed trail is maintained by Foothills Nordic Ski Club and is seriously pristine, rolling through the winding parkland, up and down gently rolling hills.

With the fall weather changing quickly and Calgary already experiencing its first frost of the season, snowfall is on its way. When fresh powder sticks to the ground, Confederation Park is the place to be.

You’ll want to pay a visit to Confederation Park twice this season: before the autumn leaves fall from the trees, and again once the park is blanketed in fresh snowfall. You won’t be disappointed.