Categories: Lifestyle

Sue Higgins Park is a Calgary pooch’s paradise

Photo via Matthias Zomer/Pexels

Formerly known as Southland Park, Sue Higgins Park is located along the banks of the Bow River in the southeast area of Calgary. It’s also home to the largest fenced off-leash area in the city, making it the perfect place to take your pup for some fresh air and movement.

Across the 62-hectare fenced land, you’ll discover all sorts of amenities that take playtime to the next level. We’re talking weave poles and moguls, wide open fields, shady trees, and access to the river across four different entry points.

If Fido isn’t quite ready to play nice with others, a smaller fenced-in area is perfect for some one-on-one off-leash training. Park etiquette dictates that these areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait your turn.

What almost was

Believe it or not, Sue Higgins Park almost wasn’t a park at all. While the area was formerly used for farming and ranching by European colonizers, until the native fescue had been reduced and the establishment of awnless brome grass was implemented. It almost became a golf course in 1992 until a group of citizens gathered forces to promote the establishment of the park and rehabilitate the area into a natural state.

Today, despite its city location, Sue Higgins Park is home to an abundance of gorgeous natural elements, like Balsam Poplar and Trembling Aspen trees, marshes, grassy areas lush with wildflowers, and fast-flowing waters popular amongst ducks and geese. And birders, perk up your ears — you may hear native sparrows, blackbirds, shorebirds, woodpeckers, and warblers.

Pets and people alike come to Sue Higgins Park for off-leash freedom and a little slice of Calgary nature. You can’t get that from a golf course!