There have been many awesome new playgrounds built since we last asked Calgarians to tell us which Calgary playgrounds were their favourite. The following list is the results of a poll conducted in August 2022. The list is ranked in order of the highest proportion of votes.
1. Shouldice Park Playground
Shouldice Park – 4900 Monserrat Dr. N.W.
One of the most inclusive and best playgrounds in Calgary will be a hit with kids of all ages and abilities. This playground is located in a lovely park and includes musical features, tons of options for spinning, swinging and bouncing, a huge ramp system and interesting climbers. The park is located along the river and has bookable picnic sites.
2. South Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground
South Glenmore Park just keeps getting better. This Variety Children’s Park was one of the first accessible playgrounds in the city. In recent years the park has gained a bike park as well as a music garden a short distance away from the main playground.
Last year, the main play area next to the spray park was replaced with a new inclusive playground. The only downside to this park is its popularity which can make it crowded and hard to park, particularly on hot days.
3. East Village Playground
East Village – 7 Ave and 6 St SE
The popularity of this playground has brought more kids than ever to the East Village. This playground is very different from other playgrounds in Calgary from the equipment itself to the position of the playground along a hill.
Bigger kids will love challenging themselves on the ropes and logs. Really young kids will love trying to walk around the uneven ground and climbing up on the stumps and platform. And everyone will love the roller slide.
4. Seton – Elsa’s Tower Playground
Seton – 91 Seton Gardens SE
This eye catching inclusive playground in Seton is a great community space for people of all ages and has quickly become a Calgary favourite. The playground has a lot to offer from inclusive features like the accessible flooring to the covered picnic area as well as some super fun equipment like the tall tower and roller slide.
5. St. Patrick’s Island Playground
East Village – 1300 Zoo Rd. NE (you can access it by car by the South Zoo parking lot)
Completed as part of the St. Patrick’s Island redevelopment project, this playground (and park) has become very popular. The playground has a wonderful setting and includes unusual equipment.
Older kids will love the climbing structures and climbing the rocks set into the hill. Toddlers will find the climbing structures a little challenging but will still enjoy many of the other playground features. Be sure to visit the other side of the park where you’ll find a river wading area and a rocky beach.
6. Edworthy Park Inclusive Playground
South Access – 5050 Spruce Dr. S.W. (Bow Tr. & Spruce Dr. S.W.)
North Access – Shaganappi Trail and 16th Avenue.
Edworthy Park has long been one of Calgarian’s favourite parks. The park is located along the river and has lot of trees and picnic spaces. It is now even better with this new inclusive playground that fits right into the scenic backdrop.
7. Prince’s Island Park Playground
Location: Prince’s Island Park, just north of downtown.
Prince’s Island Park Playground is definitely a destination playground. The surrounding park area is gorgeous, complete with pathways, mature trees and the surrounding river.
The playground itself is large and will appeal to kids of a wide variety of ages. It is partially accessible with great shade. The Calgary theme with a cowboy hat swing set and Fort Calgary climber, completes the package.
8. Ralph Klein Park Playground
Ralph Klein Park – 12350 84 St. S.E. (near Stony Trail and 114 St SE)
The unusual mountain inspired climber, large log jam, sand pit and zipline make this playground a winner. It can be found in one of Calgary’s newer major parks which includes a large wetlands area.
9. Currie Barracks Airport Playground
Curie Barracks – 2953 Battleford Ave SW
This playground became an instant hit after it was built. The airplane theme is really attractive, the flooring is accessible and the control tower slide is really tall.
10. Vivo Inclusive Playground
Country Village Rd NE & Country Village Way NE
Located near Vivo recreation centre, this new inclusive playground is a great new place to play. It boasts some cool climbing features, a ground-level merry-go-round and a covered picnic area nearby.
11. Thorncliffe Greenview Playground
5600 Centre St N
This awesome inclusive playground has accessible flooring throughout and includes two different tandem swings and a double zipline!
12. Bowness Park Playground
Bowness – Bowness Park – 8900 48 Ave. N.W.
One of Calgary’s most popular parks for years, has an excellent playground as well. Younger kids will love the ramps and the train structure and older kids will love running up high on the bigger climber. Bowness Park also has many other great features including a wading pool and miniature ride on train.
13. Prairie Winds Park Natural Playground
Westwinds/Castleridge – 233 Castleridge Blvd. NE.
This playground is located in NE Calgary’s largest recreation park. It is a different style of playground from most in the city as it uses a ‘natural playground’ setting with hills, slides set into a hill and a long double zipline.
This playground is also right next to the new wading pool with a lazy river and spray park and the accessible south playground is only a short walk away. Prairie Springs is a real destination park.
14. Belmont Mounds of Fun Park
Off Belmont Drive SE (South of 22X, West of Macleod Trail/Highway 2A)
The colourful little hills are both fun and eye catching. The equipment is unusual and full of playfulness.
15. Northwest Commons Park – University District Playground
Thirsk St NW & Kovitz Ln NW
The new Northwest Commons Park at the University District, strives to be a park for everyone. Not only does it place a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusiveness, it also provides park space for multi-generational enjoyment with a nearby dog run, attractive green space and outdoor ping pong table.
Did you favourite playground make the list?