Prince's Island Park (Calgary) facts for kids
Prince's Island Park is a super cool urban park located in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It's built on an island right in the middle of the Bow River, just north of downtown Calgary.
The park got its name from Peter Anthony Prince. He was the person who started the Eau Claire Lumber Mill a long time ago. His family generously gave the land for the park to the city in 1947. Sometimes people mistakenly call it "Princess Island Park," but its real name is Prince's Island Park! You can visit the park from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day.
The island itself is quite large, covering about 20 hectares (that's like 50 football fields!). You can get to the island using three bridges that connect to Eau Claire and downtown Calgary. There's also a bridge to the north that links to Memorial Drive and the Crescent Heights community. The park is part of a big system of pathways and hiking trails that run along both sides of the Bow River.
The southern part of the river around the island has been carefully designed. The eastern end of the island has been made to look like a wetland area, which is a natural habitat for many animals. You'll often see Canada geese and mallard ducks enjoying the park's environment.
Getting Around the Park
You can easily get to Prince's Island Park by walking or biking across several footbridges. These bridges are part of the larger Bow River pathway system. If you're driving, there's limited vehicle access through the Prince's Island Causeway. This causeway connects to the corner of Eau Claire Avenue and 6th Street and leads to the west end of the island.
There are a few parking spots available in the park. However, during big events, vehicle access to the park is usually restricted to make it safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
Fun Festivals and Events
Prince's Island Park is a very popular spot for many exciting festivals and outdoor performances called busking events. It's a lively place where people gather to celebrate!
Some of the cool festivals held here include:
- Calgary Folk Music Festival
- Shakespeare in the Park (where you can watch plays outdoors!)
- Carifest
- Canada Day celebration (a huge party for Canada's birthday!)
- Heritage Day celebration
- Afrikadey
- Expo Latino
- Barbecue on the Bow
These festivals bring in thousands of visitors every year, making the park a vibrant hub of activity and fun!
Images for kids
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A beautiful lawn in Prince's Island Park, perfect for relaxing.
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One of the bridges connecting Prince's Island to Memorial Drive and Sunnyside.
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A charming bridge crossing over the lagoon within Prince's Island Park.
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A view of the park with the Downtown Calgary skyline in the background.
