|
 Prince's Island - Calgary, AB CANADA Posted by:  GeoKs
N 51° 03.247 W 114° 04.193
11U E 705347 N 5659928
This busy 20 hectare island park is situated between the Bow River on the north and a downtown Calgary on the south. Features include children's playground, picnic tables, large stage for outdoor festivals, pathways and a very good restaurant.
Waymark Code: WMVPX
Location: Alberta, Canada
Date Posted: 10/19/2006
Views: 80
Prince's Island came into being in 1886, when the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Company dug a channel across a large bend in the Bow River to move logs closer to their sawmill. The resulting island was named for the company's manager, Peter Prince.
The Eau Claire sawmill closed in 1945. In 1947, the City of Calgary bought the land for $11,250. Park signage indicates that at one point, this land was going to be used for roads and parking lots. Fortunately, six decades after the City's purchase, this area is one of the most used urban parks in North America.
Connected to the extensive Bow River pathway system, Prince's Island has four main access points: from a pedestrian foot bridge off Memorial Drive (north); over a short causeway (west); over the Jaipur pedestrian bridge (south); and via the 2nd Street pedestrian bridge (east). Posted coordinates are for the Jaipur bridge.
The park features several kilometers of walking paths, including one section with extensive signage explaining the functioning of the engineered stormwater wetland at the east end of the island.
Families will enjoy the large children's play area, picnic tables and restroom facilities (seasonal).
Prince's island is also the venue for nearly every major festival Calgary hosts. There is a large outdoor stage near the west end of the island, fronted by a large expanse of grass which provides blanket seating for festival crowds.
Nature lovers can wander the pathways along the lagoon, on the look out for unusual ducks. Enjoy flowers in the spring and the water park, including fountain, during the warmer months.
Last (but not least), the River Cafe restaurant is situated on Prince's Island. This fine restaurant features Canadian ingredients and dishes and makes a very enjoyable spot for lunch, dinner, or a glass of wine or dessert while out for an evening walk. If there is snow on the pathways, you may be able to enjoy a horse drawn sleigh to the restaurant. Closed January.
Admission to the park is free. There is lots of metered street parking in the nearby Eau Claire market area.
Name: Prince's Island
Street Location: 4th Street & 1st Avenue SW
Local Municipality: Calgary
State/Province, etc.: AB
Country: Canada
Web Site: [Web Link]
Date Established: 1960s
Picnic Facilities: Tables only
Recreational Facilities:
Children's playground, walking trails.
Monuments/Statues: Statue of Copernicus, marking the 500th anniversary of his birthdate
Art (murals/sculpture, etc.): Glass mural near the center of the Island, features a fish, the Alberta wild rose, a dragonfly, etc.
Fountains: Seasonal, located in the lagoon / water park area between the Jaipur bridge and the 2nd Street bridge
Ponds/Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Beach: Bow River, long lagoon
Special Events: Many festivals
Traditional Geocaches:
There is one brass cap, located right on the Jaipur bridge. GCM38V YAMC - Pisa. GCGF63 The Lost Mine. There are also a few nearby caches along the Bow River pathway system.
Memorial/Commemoration: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
One photo of the park that is a different view from the one on the page, and give the date and description your visit.
Add any additional information that you may have about this park. A GPSr photo is NOT required.
|