Hidden Gems – Calgary’s Best Lesser Known Playgrounds

The playgrounds on this list tend to fall just short of the top 10 lists in favor of bigger or splashier playgrounds but these playgrounds are still good with excellent play value. Find a great new-to-you playground on the list below.

Bridgeland 9a Playground

Bridgeland – 9a St and 4th avenue NE

This is a really great playground hidden inside an unassuming park in Bridgeland – unless you were driving right past it you’d never suspect it was there. It also has a big web climber.

Rotary Challenger Park

3688 48 Ave. N.E. (access from 48 Ave.)

This playground is designed with people with disabilities in mind but they are not the only ones who will enjoy this quiet playground. The rollerslide will be a hit with kids of all ages and toddler will love being able to easily get up the play structure and how much of the equipment is low to the ground.

Parkdale Community Centre

Parkdale – 3512 – 5th Ave. N.W. Calgary, AB.

The playground is big with lots of slides. It’s generally aimed at kids 5 and older but little kids will enjoy the train climber and the jeep climber.

Coral Springs Playground

Coral Springs – Coral Springs Blvd & Coral Shores Dr NE

This playground has tons of different climbing features and there is a lot of opportunity for moving around the play area while keeping your feet off the ground. It also has a merry-go-round spinner which is a great feature for big and little kids and saucer swings.

Valley Ridge Meadow Playground

Valley Ridge – 152 Valley Meadow Close NW.

This playground has accessible flooring and lovely big trees,  in a quiet spot set back from the street. The playground is solid and there are lots of things to spin, swing and bounce.

McKenzie Firetruck Playground

McKenzie Towne – Prestwick Gate and Prestwick Circle SE (also accessible from Prestwick Heights SE)

As with all of the McKenzie Towne themed parks, this park sparks imagination and creative play. This park is great for kids that are learning to ride a bike or that love to pretend to play community or town.

The park is spread out between 4 major centers, the firetruck itself, the grocery store and the police/donut shop and the bank. Kids can ride their bikes through the traffic circle, complete with signs that tell them to stop and yield.

Cityscape Playground

Cityscape – Northern end of Cityscape Drive NE

Located along the Rotary-Mattamy Greenway bike path, this playground has lots of cool musical features and some neat climbers too.

Elgin Pirate Ship Playground

McKenzie Towne – Elgin Estates Park or Elgin Estates View SE

This playground is located in a small park connected to a bike path that goes around the nearby lake. The pirate ship theme is very cool and makes a great back drop for imaginative play.

Nolan Hill Blvd Castle Playground

Nolan Hill – Nolan Hill Blvd just North of Nolan Hill Drive

The castle theme makes an awesome backdrop for imaginative play. You can get up pretty high in the main climber which kids will like but may make some parents with younger kids feel a little nervous. The coolest part of this playground is a little pneumatic powered ‘elevator’.

Cranston Palm Tree Playground

Cranston Way SE & Cranston Dr SE

The equipment at this playground provides opportunity for both active and imaginative play, with the house front and palm tree / island theme.

Oakside Playground

Oakridge – Between Oakside Place and Oakside Close SW. Can also be accessed from Oakside Circle

This is a great playground in a beautiful little park. The equipment is varied and has a few things such as the circle web spinner that are different from your typical park.

Aspen Woods 73rd St Playground

Aspen Woods – 73rd St between 14 and 15 Ave SW

Located in a small park along a bike path and has some young trees and a couple of picnic tables. The playground itself is worth a stop with lots of climbing opportunities, swings and a fun tree house theme.

Sage Hill Pirate Ship Playground

Sage Hill – Sage Bank Cr and Sage Bank Rd NW

This is a lovely neighborhood park with some landscaping and nice low hills. The ship theme gives it a little something special and there are lots of options for bouncing, swinging and spinning.

Kingsland 80th Avenue Playground

Kingsland – 80th Avenue between 7th and 5th St. SW.

The playground is located in a lovely little park with large trees making it a shadier playground than most. Although the playground isn’t huge, it has a lot of play value.

Flint Park Playground

Fairview – Fairmount Drive and the alley behind Fairview Dr SE

This playground has a lot to offer – not only does it have a train climber, you can see the freight train line from the playground as well. There’s also a great little path for kids to ride bikes and trikes on

(note: Unfortunately there is no good parking for this playground. There is an alley that runs along the park, however, it is not set up for visitor parking. You can probably find some parking a short walk away in the neighborhood.)

Westmount Playground

Westmount – Broadview Rd and 22 St NW

This is a lovely little park with a nice variety of equipment. It’s really a hidden gem with something for everyone.

Tuscany Estates Playground

Tuscany Estates – 201 Tuscany Estates Rise NW

This is a great playground with tons of options for swinging, spinning and bouncing. It’s located in a quiet park set away from the road and will have things to entertain kids of a wide variety of ages.