A Walk in the Park

It may not be hot and sunny anymore, and there isn’t any snow to play in just yet, but that’s no reason to sit indoors, glued to a screen.

October is National Walking Month (aka Walktober), so in celebration of fresh air and exercise, here are some of the best spots around Calgary to check out the fall colours.

Fish Creek Provincial Park is Calgary’s largest natural park with 80 km of flat pathways, making them ideal for strollers and trikes. It’s easy to pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely outing with the entire family. At this time of year, Fish Creek  is bursting with plenty of autumn hues, not to mention the thousands of leaves waiting to be piled and jumped into. The areas of choice for families (think Visitors Centre with heated washrooms) are the trails around the Bow Valley Ranch. Head out in any direction to spot deer and beavers—if you’re lucky (and quiet), you might even see owls in the trees.

Pearce Estate Park, near the community of Inglewood, is an oasis in Calgary where the fall tones are plentiful. There is no need to drive hours to the mountains to view the changing larches, as a patch of these trees grow quite happily in this park adjacent to the Bow River. There is an interpretive wetland boardwalk where the kids will enjoy running ahead to find the next sign, and paved trails along the river make for easy strolling. You’ll see daredevil canoeists tackle the whitewater at the newly developed Harvie Passage, and you can walk to the Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery and the Bow Habitat Station to tour one of the largest indoor fish hatcheries in North America. Pearce Estate Park also has a playground, picnic tables and river access for fishing. In the summer months, pelicans migrating from Florida are found, filling up on the fish going over the weir.

Autumn is really a second spring, where every leaf is a flower. So, no matter how you decide to fill up your days, there is no excuse for spending time indoors.

Let the autumn adventures begin. Tested by Fiona H., Calgary

Comments