Prince’s Island Park–Eau Claire Plaza

Location   map
Prince’s Island Park (Just North of downtown) (Playground is in the Centre of the Island near the bridge on the North side).  It is not possible to get to the playground without a bit of a walk.

Eau Claire Plaza 3 St. & Riverfront Ave. S.W. (by Eau Claire market – 200 Barclay Parade S.W.)
Parking:At and around Eau Claire market (Eau Claire parkade has $2 parking on the weekends) or in the parking lot off Memorial Drive just East of 3rd St. NW.

Gordie’s Review–the water!

Summer Features:  Location for many festivals and other events, canoe river access, pathways and trails, flower gardens, wetlands learning trail, off-leash dog park.
Winter Features: cross-country skiing, outdoor skating on the lagoon.

Playgrounds: There is a large playground for ages 2-12 in the middle of the island on the North side. Click here for a review of the playground itself.
Amenities: washrooms and water fountains (seasonal), River Cafe (full service restaurant, reservations recommended).
Seating: benches throughout the park area. There is a large picnic area with lots of picnic tables just west of the playground.

Overall:
Being that Prince’s Island Park is in fact an island you have to cross a bridge to get there. There’s no roadways on to the park so you have walk or bike across.

Here’s the bridge from the parking lot off Memorial drive.

There’s walking paths along the river.

View towards the playground after you get off the bridge. If you continue on the path, there’s a turn off that you can take that will take you right to the playground.

The playground is really big with something for everyone. To the west of the playground is a picnic area with lots of picnic tables, shade and grass.

In the centre of the island they have a flower garden area.

To the west you can see the River Cafe. This is really an upscale restaurant rather than a cafe. If you want to go there it would be wise to get reservations.

Past the River Cafe on the West end of the island is where most of the festivals and events are hosted and where the Enmax Energy stage is.

To the East is a sculpture walk. South of that you can find a fountain in the lagoon.

The next few pictures from the east end of the park were taken in a couple of years ago in October.

Close up of the fountain.

At the East end of the island you find a constructed wetland designed to treat storm water. Native plants have been restored to the area, and there is a pathway with interpretive signage.

When we were exploring the area a couple years ago we spotted this beaver.

This is the lagoon area to the west of the bridge to Eau Claire.

It’s quite popular with geese and ducks. You can walk right down to the water if you want to.

Eau Claire Plaza

Features:  It has has outdoor festival area, amphitheatre, pathways, eau claire market (great indoor playground). It is just a short walk across the bridge to get to Prince’s Island Park.

Playgrounds: Small toddler playground and 2 wading pools with spray features. Click here for a review of the playground and wading pools themselves.
Amenities: washrooms, concessions and water fountains (seasonal).
Seating: benches by the wading pool and elsewhere in the plaza area and along the river pathway.

Overall: The Eau Claire Plaza will be undergoing a redevelopment. It’s currently only in the concept plan stage.

Benches at Eau Claire Plaza at the base of the bridge to Prince’s Island Park. There is a concession open here seasonally.

Amphitheatre with fountain.

Wading Pools and Toddler Playground.

Washrooms and snack concession by the wading pools.

View of Eau Claire Mall from the wading pool area.

Please Note: 

We do our best to ensure the information on Calgary Playground Review is accurate, however information and events are subject to change. Please contact the organizations directly to avoid disappointment.

Can you help make this article better?
If you have noticed an error, have additional information or would like to share a comment you can:
E-mail us at calgaryplaygroundreview@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook: CalgaryPlaygroundReview
Find us on Instagram: YYCdana
Tweet us: YYCdana

We are not affiliated with any venues, attractions or organizations. Please message them directly if you have questions or concerns.

2 thoughts on “Prince’s Island Park–Eau Claire Plaza”

  1. Hi I was just wondering if there is a wading pool currently at the Eau Claire Market. It doesn’t look like a rendering in the photo. Great website!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.