Calgary Dog Parks Galore: Pet-Friendly City Living

Did you know that there are a lot of parks in Calgary you can enjoy with your dog? From vast open spaces to fenced dog parks, Calgary has a place for your dog to run around and play with other dogs in the city.

These dog parks are also great places to unwind. Read a book, drink some coffee, or have a chat with other dog owners while your fur babies have their own fun. Just don’t forget to keep an eye on them to make sure they stay safe and have a wonderful time.

Check out these eight off-leash dog parks in Calgary the next time you take your dog out for a walk.

Header image source: Unsplash

The Best Dog Parks in Calgary

Nose Hill Park

Image source: Hike Bike Travel

Nose Hill Park is the biggest park in Calgary with around 11 square kilometers of greenery you can explore. It offers a beautiful view of downtown Calgary, the Bow River Valley, and the Rocky Mountains. You might also see some wildlife at times.

Nose Hill Park is accessible all year round, although it could get pretty cold in the winter. The flowers are beautiful in spring and the leaves in autumn. In summer, you can go on a picnic in the park’s vicinity or play fetch with your dog in the park’s off-leash areas.

Connaught Park

Image source: Calgary Canine

Connaught Park is Calgary’s newest dog park which opened only in 2016. It might be smaller than other dog parks on this list, but its smart urban design makes it a worthy place to visit with your dog.

Connaught Park has two fully-fenced areas for small and big dogs. There are shaded picnic tables and benches where you can relax while your dog is having fun. There’s also a water fountain in the park that you or your dog can drink from on a hot day.

Connaught Park is perfect for dog owners who don’t have much free time to go to dog parks that are farther away from the downtown area. In this park, you and your dog can get to socialize without having to spend a lot of time on the road.

Edworthy Park

Image source: Avenue Calgary

Edworthy Park is another big area that you and your dog can explore. There are hills in the area where you can go walking, biking, or hiking. There are also a lot of picnic areas you can enjoy with the whole family. The park’s playground also makes it more enjoyable for the little ones.

There’s something for everyone at Edworthy Park. There’s a wide off-leash area for your dogs to run around in. A part of the park is by the Bow River. And yes, you can definitely go for a quick dip when you visit the park.

There are paved trails for when you want a quiet walk to take in the beauty of the whole place. But if you’re up for a little adventure, there are also rough terrains you can go hiking in.

Rotary Park

Image source: Rotary Park Facebook

Rotary Park is located in downtown Whitecourt and is designed for maximum enjoyment. It has a very fun spray park that children of all ages can enjoy.

The park also has a big playground—the tallest in the province—that’s accessible for both children and adults. On a hot summer day, you can also try the river slides in the area.

But that’s not all. You can even take your dog out to play in the park’s fenced off-leash area! Rotary Park is a great place to visit with the whole family for a day of fun.

Bowmont Park

Image source: Avenue Calgary

Bowmont Park has both paved and unpaved pathways in its vicinity. These trails let you see the beautiful views around the area from the lowest and highest points of the park. There are also several waterfalls in the area that flow into the stream.

Bowmont Park also has both fenced and unfenced off-leash areas for your dog to enjoy. The park also has doggy bag dispensers so you won’t have to worry in case you forget yours at home or in the car.

The abundance of nature in Bowmont Park is therapeutic to explore. With lush greeneries, beautiful stone formations, and several bodies of water, Bowmont Park proves to be a must-visit place for anyone in Calgary.

Riverdale Dog Park

Image source: Canada247

The Riverdale Dog Park is another favorite spot for dogs in the city. It’s a huge fenced-in area (for the most part) where your fur babies can run around freely and play with other dogs.

There’s no divide between small and large dog breeds. That means your dog can make more friends. But that also means you have to watch your dog carefully for their own safety.

The Riverdale Dog Park is also only a short walk to Bow River where your dog could go for a swim. The area is a bit rocky, but dogs love it there anyway.

Sue Higgins Park

Image source: Calgary Canine

Sue Higgins Park is a haven for all dogs. It’s the largest off-leash area in Calgary with 62 hectares of fully-fenced space.

There are a lot of quiet spots in the park for when you want to have a little privacy with your dog. But there are also a lot of amenities in the park that you can use for playing with or training your dog. If your dog loves swimming, the park also has access to the Bow River.

People donate doggy bags to the park. So, even if you forget to bring one, Sue Higgins Park has got your back.

River Park

Image source: Reddit

River Park gives you breathtaking views of downtown Calgary. You can clearly see the Calgary skyline and city lights when you visit the park. On another part of the park, you can also see the Elbow River and Britannia slopes. This is probably why it’s the busiest dog park in the area.

River Park has a large off-leash area for dogs to play around. They also offer river access for dogs who love the water. In the park’s vicinity, you can also find several waste bins. There’s also a cool water fountain for your dog.

River Park is accessible all year round. The dogs and their owners are also kind and fun to spend time with. There is an unspoken rule and collective effort toward keeping River Park clean and well-maintained for all its visitors.

Living in Calgary

Image source: Pixabay

If you’re someone who treats your dog as a valuable member of your family, Calgary is one of the best places for you to live. In this pet-friendly city, you and your fur baby will fit right in!

The Calgary housing market is still hot at the moment, too. There’s no better time than now when it comes to moving to Calgary. Check out some of the beautiful communities in the city and find the best neighbourhood you can move to.

Maybe try to buy a property near one of these fenced and off-leash dog parks in Calgary:

• Nose Hill Park in 14 St NW, Calgary
• Connaught Park in 11 St & 14 Ave SW, Calgary
• Edworthy Park in Spruce Dr SW, Calgary
• Rotary Park in 1 St NE, Calgary
• Bowmont Park in 85 St NW, Calgary
• Riverdale Dog Park in Riverdale Ave SW, Calgary
• Sue Higgins Park in Southland Drive SE & Deerfoot Trail, Calgary
• River Park in 14A St SW, Calgary