Calgary Parklands - Bow River Pathway, Inglewood to Crescent Heights

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In bright sunshine we resumed our quest of a couple of weeks ago to find the former house of our good Skrastins friend, Wally, who passed away in early 2020. From the public parking lot in Inglewood, a dozen walkers set out on the Bow River Pathway, marvelling at the striking scenery covered in soft snow. The downtown high-rises were a mere backdrop to the sculptural dark trees and the slashes of open water in the deep blue river.

Climbing to Centre Street, we angled west up the path to Crescent Road. Huge new houses greeted us, but our leader Sheila confidently led us along the escarpment to the intersection where Wally’s former house stood peacefully amongst other traditional homes. For a few minutes we reminisced about his exploits as a fearless hiker and contributor to our community.

Seeking a different walk back, I led through the streets of Crescent Heights to St Vladimir’s Ukrainian church, where we paused to reflect on the devastation of this week’s invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Near the intersection of Edmonton Trail and Memorial Drive, we marvelled at Flyover Park , a transformation of blighted space by local Grade 6 students, U of C Architecture students and Stantec (engineering). On the way through Bridgeland to the LRT bridge, we stared in fascination at the massive condo developments that have drawn many residents close to downtown. Across the river again, some people brought out their lawn chairs for a picnic in the sunshine, filled with a sense of well-being after our 10.5 km walk.

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Photos

Downtown from Inglewood
Inglewood enjoys nature close to the city centre.

Flyover Park
Imaginative play structures

East Village
Beautiful conjunction of work and play

Bow River
Too fast flowing to freeze over this year

Lozenges of open water
Dangerous ice!

Centre St Bridge lower deck
Turned over to pedestrians - perhaps forever?

Utility box on Centre Street North
Dragon more fierce than the winter!

Sunnyside Community
View from Crescent Road

St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor
Centre of aid for Ukrainian refugees

Bow River ice
Why no one should walk on ice

Bow River meanders through town
Deceptive - under the ice is a strong flow

Lunch in sun, Inglewood
Ignore the white stuff!

Comments

[Isabel Gibson]

I have some vague memory of the lower deck of Centre Street Bridge being closed to vehicles. That would be from a while ago. Now I'll have to look it up. Calgary is so fortunate to have the mountains both accessible and as a backdrop. Loved the snow picnic.

[Larry Parnes]

Bow River
Vaguely remember walking along the Bow River with the family some time in the early 80's. The kids loved taking the light rail from our motel to downtown and passing the Saddledome. Are you covering the "Battle of Alberta" between the Flames and the Oilers?

[beentouring]

Bow River Pathway
You must return and walk the very long pathway along the Bow River.