Just north of Calgary’s downtown located in one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, you’ll find Sunnyside Bank Park. Most well-known for its annual Remembrance Day ceremony and Field of Crosses display, this park offers up so much more — from tall wooden staircases and sweeping downtown views, to bustling community hubs and local businesses nearby.
This park’s roots trace back over a century, and has played a crucial role in Calgary’s development. Once used as a quarry during the construction of the city’s iconic sandstone buildings, the land was later transformed into a public park. It became an official city park in the 1930s, named after its sunny and elevated location overlooking the Bow River.
Venture Into Sunnyside Bank & You Can…
Soak In The Natural Beauty
Its grassy hills, mature trees and vibrant floral displays make Sunnyside Bank Park a must-visit green space. Walk through its well-maintained pathways that connect to neighbouring parks, like McHugh Bluff, Crescent Heights Park, and Rotary Park.
Enjoy The Walking Trails
For those who love a leisurely stroll, invigorating jog or inner city bike ride, this park connects to a network of paved and dirt trails. These paths wind through the park’s changing landscape, offering glimpses of the Bow River and several bridges leading into downtown.
Why should you get out more? Here are 7 health benefits to spending more time outdoors.
Pay Your Respects
This park is most highly visited during the month of November. If you’re travelling down Memorial Drive, look to the north and you’ll see the annual “Field of Crosses” displaying 3,500 white crosses from November 1–11. Plan an evening out to meander through the crosses and remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom — or catch the live memorial service every November 11.
Attend Community Events
Aside from the park’s annual Field of Crosses, the community of Sunnyside hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including art exhibitions and outdoor concerts at ContainR throughout the summer months. If you’re ready to venture downtown, you can pay to park at Sunnyside Bank Park and head across the bridge to Prince’s Island Park, for a variety of shows, including the Calgary Folk Festival.
Take In The View
As you explore lower Sunnyside Bank Park, be sure to take in the views from above and visit the scenic overlooks by taking the stairs or the many dirt pathways leading up to McHugh Bluff or Rotary Park. From the top, you’ll find some of Calgary’s most breathtaking panoramic views of the Bow River, city skyline, iconic Peace Bridge, and, if you’re lucky, the Rocky Mountains. This is a popular spot for photographers, walkers and those seeking a quiet moment of reflection.
Chuck Some (Curling) Rocks
One of Sunnyside Bank Park’s more notable features is the Calgary Curling Club. It was moved to Sunnyside in 1953 from Victoria Park. Since then, it has become one of the busiest clubs in Canada, with over 1,000 members and 25+ leagues.
Float The Bow River
During summer, local business Lazy Day Raft Rentals gets Calgarians out to experience the smooth, often chilly, Bow River. Using the nearby boat launch, you’ll often see their team transporting rafts over Memorial Drive to their corner of the Calgary Curling Club building after happy floaters have finished their adventure.
Explore Neighbouring Communities
Stroll from Sunnyside Bank Park into the eclectic Sunnyside community and charming Kensington district, just a stone’s throw away. Here, you can explore a vibrant array of shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques. It’s the perfect place to grab a cup of coffee, enjoy a delicious meal and support local businesses after exploring.
Looking for more places to explore while you’re here? Use our Adventure Atlas to see what parks and attractions are nearby so you can make a day of it!
Want to learn more about specific parks in YYC? Check out our other Calgary park features.
