Float Your Boat

Row, row, row your boat gently down the…reservoir? Yes, the Elbow river that flows beneath Glenmore Trail, past Heritage Park and around the bend to scenic Weaslehead Flats (in reverse order) not only provides half a million Calgarians with drinking water, it also provides Calgarians with a plentiful source of family entertainment.
Heavens no, we don’t mean swimming. Swimming in the city’s drinking water reserve is frowned upon (in fact it’s downright outlawed). Think canoeing, kayaking, rowing and sailing when planning your day on the water.

If you have your own boat, there are several places to launch, including South Glenmore Park (just past 90 Ave and 24 St SW), North Glenmore Park (south of Earl Grey golf course at the south end of Crowchild Trail) and Heritage (adjacent to the Heritage Park parking lot). Both North and South Glenmore Parks have drive-in wheelchair accessible boat launches.

We love the idea of combining a reservoir paddle with a visit to the Children’s Variety (spray) Park that shares a parking lot with the South Glenmore Park launch. Another good option is a picnic lunch at one of the North Glenmore Park playgrounds following your paddle. Is your child old enough? We think a good indication of boating readiness is the ability to sit and listen to instruction. That often rules out toddlers but includes toilet-trained preschoolers and school-aged kids.