Bharat Shah

I visited this lake-front natural and manicured park at two pm on a week day in April when the weather was still cold. Although there were not flocks of people, there were a significant number of people doing activities like walking, walking with their furry friends, cycling, and jogging. (boating and skating are not available at present.)
The park, established 38 years ago, has two lakes or huge ponds, created by channelizing the Bow River, wrapped by a paved trail. There is a forest with thousands of trees all along the trail.
There are tens of benches all along the trail, picnic tables at some places, and a gazebo.
Also, there are some other unpaved and winding trails and beaten paths, for those who like to explore more. Furthermore, there are Bow River Pathway and Trans Canada trail.
The parking lot is not immense; nevertheless, on a busy day. you may park your vehicle on the nearby streets, for free.
Over all, this is a well-maintained, good natural park for the dwellers of south east area of Calgary for a variety of activities, watching birds, and wildlife.

When I visited the Skyline View Point, I climbed down the wooden staircase. It took me to the Bow River, Bow River Pathway, Scotiabank Saddletowne, and Stampede Park that could be viewed from the hill.

This beautiful park is situated just a five minute walk in the east.
Although the children play area is not humongous, there are lots of equipment to amuse children and a board to teach brail alphabets. The park looks bright and colorful. It was bustling with small children and their guardians when I went there.

If you go to the Skyline View Point or Scotsman hill observation deck with your children, you may consider visiting this park. It, definitely, does not have enough substance to qualify to be a tourist attraction, and it is nor a must visit place.

Sprawled in 14 acres and a venue of over 120 sophisticated stores of various kinds, the Core Shopping Centre is a high end mall in the heart of downtown, Calgary, accessible by Calgary transit. In fact, it is right on the 3rd street LRT's east bound platform. Moreover, it is in the proximity of the Calgary tower and the famous Stephen Avenue -the Walk Street - known as the pedestrian mall.

The best feature that sets apart this mall from other aristocratic malls; however, is the 2.5 acre alluring garden, a children playground with lots of enticing equipment, and a 1,000 seat food court with numerous eateries.

Although the beautifully crafted mall has all the ingredients required to attract multitude of shoppers and visitors, unfortunately, it closes its doors at 6:00 pm.

Owing to the long summer days, it is desirable that the mall remain open until 9:00 pm.

Devonian indoor botanical gardens in downtown, Calgary, managed by city of Calgary parks, is a wow place. Situated on the fourth floor of a high end mall on the East bound 3rd Street railway platform, this stunning, beautifully crafted, pristine-clean, and very well-maintained garden is simply amazing and awe-inspiring.

Had I not seen it, I would not have believed the indoor garden could be so stupendous and astonishing.

The stunning, uscenic, breathtaking views of gardens with a variety of trees, plants, flowers, shrubs, cacti, living walls, alluring ponds, water fountains, and walls decorated with artifacts are beyond words - it is just phenomenal.

Moreover, like outdoor parks, there is an eye-catching play area with some enticing equipment to amuse children with sitting arrangements for parents to keep an eye on their children.

The park that has benches at numerous places, also, has a humongous food court with several eateries to choose from and hundreds of cozy sitting arrangements.

This is a must visit place in an outstanding mall in Calgary which is in the vicinity of the Calgary tower and the famous Stephen Avenue known as pedestrian mall. It is a heavenly place that has everything to fill its visitors with elation and tranquility.

Entrance to the Devonian Gardens is free, but Unfortunately, the mall and the gardens close by 6:00 pm; I wish they were open until 10 pm, in summer.

The prodigious, ornamental garden, that was created 17 years ago by planting 7,000 trees, has spread into a 3,200 square foot area and is about 1.5 km in length.

The park has a children playground, a dedicated picnic area, plenty of benches at several places, popular tennis/pickleball courts, lush green grounds, comfortable to walk unpaved trails, a labyrinth to have a meditative walk, lots of shaded areas, numerous flowers of many kinds in 17 alluring gardens.

The botanical gardens of silver springs gets 5/5 stars for all the ravishing gardens, picnic area, tennis courts, playgrounds, and walking trails.

The downside:
The biggest drawback; however, that keeps some people from visiting and enjoying the inviting place is that unleashed dogs are allowed to run freely and approach anyone, so they create panic in those who are afraid of dogs or have had bad experiences with them. In my perspective, in all public places, dogs must be allowed only if they are leashed and under control of their owners.

Also, surprisingly, the sizable park, that has a lot to offer, does not have hygienic, well-maintained washrooms. There is only one porta-potty, and most people try to avoid using such washrooms unless there is an emergency.