Calgary's Top 5 Neighbourhoods for Parks and Recreation

Parks were rated as the most important amenity to have in a neighbourhood. We rated neighbourhoods on green space and recreational facilities in each area, and we took into account both the parks and facilities that are in each neighbourhood and those in adjacent neighbourhoods.

1. Bowness
This northwest neighbourhood is home to Bowness Park, which features paths, playgrounds, a miniature train, mini-golf, Bow River access for canoeing and paddleboats, picnic areas and outdoor skating area on the lagoon, as well as cross-country skiing. The neighbourhood also features an arena and an outdoor pool. Adjacent communities boast golf, pools, tennis courts, another arena, not to mention Canada Olympic Park. All of which adds up to make Bowness the top spot for outdoor and recreational pursuits.

2. Lake Bonavista
Lake Bonavista, located in the southeast, contains an active community and recreation centre which houses two skating rinks, a gym and a fitness studio. Soccer, hockey, basketball, yoga and fitness classes are also available. The community also offers tennis and canoeing lessons on Lake Bonavista in the summer. Neighbouring communities feature two pools, tennis courts, another arena, a public library and two golf courses. The community also borders on Fish Creek Provincial Park.

3. Altadore
Altadore, in southwest Calgary, offers an off-leash dog park, running and walking paths (along upper River Park), tennis courts, an arena and two skating rinks (which become beach volleyball courts in the summer), as well as a curling rink. Adjacent communities feature pools and tennis courts. The area also borders Glenmore Athletic Park and is near the Elbow River’s prime raft-launching point of Sandy Beach.

4. Haysboro
Haysboro residents can easily walk or bike down Heritage Drive toward Heritage Park and South Glenmore Park. A scenic path runs from Heritage Park toward the Rockyview Hospital overlooking the Glenmore Reservoir. The area has two sets of tennis courts. The Haysboro Community Association also organizes various recreational activities including karate, line dancing, tai chi and yoga. Nearby communities also offer several arenas, pools, a curling rink and a golf course.

5. Edgemont
This community, just south of Country Hills Boulevard and bordering Nose Hill Park, has tennis courts, skating rinks, playgrounds, pathways and numerous ravines for residents to explore. The community association shares space with Edgemont Elementary School, which gives the community access to the gym in the evenings. Adjacent neighbourhood The Hamptons also has a golf course.

See more of Best Neighbourhoods 2010

Top 5 Pedestrian-Friendly Neighbourhoods

Top 5 Safest Neighbourhoods

Top 5 Friendliest Neighbourhoods

Top 5 Neighbourhoods with Curb Appeal

Top 5 Neighbourhoods for Parks and Recreation

Calgary's Best Neighbourhoods: The Data
Wonder how we determined the 15 top Calgary neighbourhoods? Here's how they ranked in each of our criteria categories. Plus: view the stats for 19 additional neighbourhoods in the city.

Altadore: Calgary's Best Neighbourhoods

Ranked 6th in Calgary's Best Neighbourhoods 

Whoever said you can’t have it all wasn’t living in Altadore. The inner-city community packs a powerful one-two punch of great shopping and gigantic parks.

At the northern border of Altadore is the district of Marda Loop, which is one of the busiest outdoor shopping areas in Calgary, with more than 125 independently owned stores, including everything from a grocery store and ice cream shop to pubs and funky clothing boutiques.

The area has a village-like feel and is easily accessible by foot. “Once I get home, I park my car and walk everywhere,” says Evan Polowick, president of the South Calgary Community Association. Polowick lives just off 33rd Avenue, which is a quick walk to Marda Loop and close to a massive trifecta of green space: Sandy Beach, River Park and Glenmore Athletic Park.

Sitting near the southeastern corner of Altadore, these three parks provide one of the largest off-leash dog parks in the inner city, and give residents bragging rights to having the best spot to begin rafting down the Elbow River in the summer.

Altadore also has a vibrant party and cultural scene, with events such as Marda Loop Justice Film Festival and Marda Gras, a summer-themed street party that attracts 35,000 Calgarians every August. These events help add cultural texture to a community that already is considered one of the best in the city.

Calgary’s top 15 communities

Using the data we collected in our city-wide survey we also created a number of Top 5 lists for categories that our readers deemed important to them.

Top 5 Pedestrian-Friendly Neighbourhoods

Top 5 Safest Neighbourhoods

Top 5 Friendliest Neighbourhoods

Top 5 Neighbourhoods with Curb Appeal

Top 5 Neighbourhoods for Parks and Recreation

Calgary's Best Neighbourhoods: The Data
Wonder how we determined the 15 top Calgary neighbourhoods? Here's how they ranked in each of our criteria categories. Plus: view the stats for 19 additional neighbourhoods in the city.