It is officially fall in Calgary – a fall that boasts crunchy orange and red leaves sprinkled on the ground and a crispness in the air. Fall in Calgary can sometimes resemble the next ice age. So, this is a fantastic year to take advantage of the traditional fall scenery that we have been blessed with. A wonderful way of doing so is by spending time in Confederation Park in
Calgary’s North West. Whether you want to pound out an intense workout, go for a leisurely walk or cozy in to a book, this park is the place to do it.
As Confederation Park is the setting of many fond childhood memories, I may be a little biased about how amazing the park is. It’s where I first fell, fully clothed, into a body of water (for a three-year-old, a little stream seems like a lake!). It’s steady paths illuminated by gentle moonlight are where I found solace the evening that our beloved Calico cat, Belle, passed away. Many cuts, scars, laughs and creative projects emerged out of time spent there. Whether you’ve been before or have never even heard of
Confederation Park, I hope that this article inspires and encourages you to give it a visit!
Soothing Scenery
Confederation park (or Confed, as most Calgarians call it) is a 162-hectare stretch of crescent-shaped land nestled between
Mount Pleasant,
Rosemont and
Capitol Hill. Between the lush plant life and pitter patter of runner’s feet, the park is radiating with life and a sense of peace. Right now, the vast stretches of grass beside the stream rippling through Confed are generously heaped with the leaves of the some of the park’s longest residents - the sprawling coniferous trees.
The Government of New York State explains that spending time around trees can lower blood pressure and deplete stress-hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline
[1]. Glasgow University found that exercising outdoors is even more beneficial for mental health than working out inside of a gym due to these factors
[2]. These benefits give us an even greater reason to take advantage of Calgary’s gentle fall weather before we are bludgeoned with random mountains of snow and slick ice.
Find your Focus
The Government of New York State also explains that being in nature
helps you focus [1]. This is because the cognitive part of our brains are occupied by the alluring sights, sounds, and patterns moving and shifting around us when we’re outdoors. The thousand-mile-a-minute thought track that we are used to in our fast-paced culture gets a break and slows us down.
Last fall, I studied for a big exam at the base of a tree in Confederation park and earned a solid A+ on the exam. I still remember the sense of calm and centeredness I felt wedged in under the tree’s beautifully sparse canopy. Whenever you have the chance, I highly recommend trying that out if you want to have a thorough and enjoyable reading session.
Pump it up!
If you’re looking for a livelier outdoor activity, the softly inclined pathways and steeps hills that border them beckon to be used for a run or a bike ride. A potent fat-burning session could easily be performed in 25-30 mins by doing a 1-1.5min sprint up the hill at the end of 10th street (just a few blocks down from
King George Elementary School). Or, you could take it slow by looping the park a few times and take in the view of warm sunlight glittering off the brittle leaves and humble stream. The park is also home to playgrounds, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and numerous picnic tables. Washrooms are also accessible year-round from 7am-8:30pm.
Finding Confed
To get to Confederation Park, there are parking lots accessible from
14th Street and
30th Ave NW. You are also welcome to park in the residential areas bordering the park. There are no direct train lines to this part of this city. However, the
Number 4 Bus (Huntington) can take you there. On both the Southbound and Northbound routes, you will get off at the Rosehill Drive stops to access the park the most easily.
Click here for more information about the Park.
If or when you do end up in Confed, give the trees a gentle wave hello for me. Better yet, if you end up by the parking lot off 30th Ave, please take a moment to have a laugh at the visual of a rowdy, mop topped little me splunging into the trickling stream (to the right of the wooden bridge).
