In the late 1800s, Prince’s Island Park was home to a Calgary sawmill until the city pushed to preserve green spaces and enhance the quality of urban life in the 1950s. It was then transformed into a public park, and slowly revitalized the riverfront as it gained popularity year after year. Today, it’s an iconic natural area in the heart of downtown that attracts Calgarians year-round…
Prince’s Island Park is a popular destination for city-wide residents, whether you’re attending a festival, floating the river, lounging on the riverbanks or simply passing through. In the summer months, major events like Calgary Folk Fest and Canada Day have been hosted here, energizing downtown and the riverfront. In the winter, people come to skate on the lagoon, blaze their own cross-country ski tracks or bring their kids to the playground.
Whatever the season and no matter what mood you’re in, Prince’s Island Park has a little something for everyone. Here’s what you can expect next time you visit this downtown city park.
How To Get Here
Parking at any downtown destination can be tricky, so for Prince’s Island Park, we recommend you:
- Walk from a nearby residential neighbourhood if you live close by
- Bike/E-Scooter using the Bow River Pathway system or city bike lanes to arrive safely
- Take the bus or C-train to get close to the park and walk the last few blocks
- Drive yourself and find free parking downtown on Sundays or evenings. You can also pay to park on the street, in the parking lot on the north side of Memorial Drive by Sunnyside Bank Park, or choose from the many lots scattered throughout the downtown riverfront.
Expect These Amenities At Prince’s Island Park
Indoor Washrooms
Seasonal washrooms can be found underneath the River Cafe, the park’s only restaurant that has been operating since 1991. When events are hosted on the island, you can also find porta potties scattered throughout.
Children’s Playground
Found near the pedestrian bridge on the north side of Prince’s Island Park, you’ll find a large playground featuring recycled tire ground cover, cowboy-hat swings, monkey bars, a train play structure, and spinners with ample seating all around. It’s a great space for kids of all ages!
Seating & Picnic Areas
There’s no shortage of greenspace and seating here for your next afternoon picnic. Grab your cooler and a blanket to lounge spot under the trees with the river just steps away. You could even bring some outdoor games, like cornhole, bocce or croquet.
Free Drinking Water
Find two refillable water stations on the east and west side of the main stage. Whether you’ve worked up a sweat or you stayed longer than you planned, you can access free water. If you’re planning a picnic, consider bringing powdered drink mix to save the weight and fill up your bottle there.
Outdoor Activities At Prince’s Island Park
Enjoy Open Greenspaces
Prince’s Island Park is surprisingly spacious for being an island right off Calgary’s bustling downtown. As you stroll through the park, enjoy beautifully manicured flower gardens amongst the tall trees and grassy areas. When there aren’t events happening here, you’re free to use the wide-open greenspaces to lounge, picnic, play games, you name it. You’ll almost always see people throwing footballs or frisbees around in the summer months.
Attend Annual Events
Every summer season, this area is bustling with people, performers and organizers who are attending events in and near the park. Our long, warm evening allows attendees to enjoy outdoor events like Canada Day celebrations and Shakespeare By The Bow. The Enmax stage is where festivals like Calgary Folk Fest, Great Outdoors Comedy Festival and Beakerhead have been hosted. Most events on Prince’s Island Park don’t allow dogs, so always check event restrictions before you go.
Explore The Pathways
The Bow River’s extensive pathway system runs right through Prince’s Island Park, as well as along the north side of the river, which you can reach from the park’s pedestrian bridge or the Peace Bridge. Catch views of the Bow River as you walk, bike or e-scooter to explore the hidden nooks and winding paths.
Walk & Learn On The Chevron Learning Pathway
In 1999, this island park was renovated, including native plant restoration and the construction of a wetland. Now, visitors can read about the importance of wetlands and other meaningful environmental information along this pathway with educational signage on the island’s east side. While you’re over there, don’t miss the stunning reflection at this major park attraction, Downtown Mirror Pond.
Appreciate Digital Art From Indigenous Youth
Take a 30-minute walk on the Remembering Our Children Trail to view seven digital art installations created by Indigenous youth. All you need to do is download the app at the link below, to see artwork that sparks conversations about residential schools and their ongoing impacts. You can find more parks, trails and locations on the interactive app here, IndigiTRAILS.
Float The Bow River
Perhaps one of the most “Calgary” things you can do in the summer, take a relaxing float down the Bow River. If you want to use your own boat, grab your lifejackets and get on the water west of Baker Park at the Bearspaw Boat Launch in Calgary’s northwest, to get off the water directly across from Prince’s Island. If you prefer a more leisurely afternoon, book your river float with Lazy Day Raft Rentals so you can just show up and relax.
Try Winter Activities
Still boasting its beauty in the winter, Prince’s Island Park can turn into a real winter wonderland. Bundle up, bring a hot bevy and lace up your skates for a magical afternoon on the seasonal lagoon. Or, if there’s been a fresh dump of snow, carve out your own cross-country skiing tracks!
Add These Nearby Stops To Your Adventure
Prince’s Island Park is a beautiful destination in the heart of downtown Calgary, but don’t stop there.
Head north over the Bow River across the pedestrian bridge to check out Sunnyside Bank Park. From there, you can take the stairs up to McHugh Bluff and catch a beautiful view of downtown and the mountains if you’re lucky from Rotary Park. Or head west, and you’ll discover the neighbourhood Sunnyside Rainbow Bridge. To complete the loop, make your way back downtown across the Peace Bridge and into Eau Claire Plaza.
