In Calgary, sports are a huge part of life. A love for physical activity is nurtured from a young age, with countless playgrounds designed to help kids develop physical skills, social interaction, and imagination. In this article for icalgary, we’ll explore the best playgrounds where sports, fun, and community come together.
The Brainasium Science Playground
The Brainasium is a massive playground that’s part of the Telus Spark Science Centre. While it’s designed for children aged 5-12, some of the attractions are also suitable for younger kids.
All playgrounds help children learn through play and physical activity, but the Brainasium takes this concept to the next level. It masterfully blends traditional play equipment with real science centre exhibits. Here, kids can play and explore their surroundings at the same time. Future plans include adding exhibits focused on agriculture and transportation.
The centrepiece of the park is a massive 63-foot slide, which can only be reached by climbing a rope tower. This feature is recommended for children aged 8 and up. Despite the challenge of some elements, all the equipment is completely safe. A sign at the top of the slide advises that children between 3 and 6 should only go down with an adult.
For younger children, there’s a slide built right into a hill and a sloped rock-climbing wall. These features may seem simple, but kids absolutely love them. There’s also another play area with rocks at the top of the hill.
For budding musicians and creative minds, the playground offers two musical features: a musical rail and a stone xylophone. Both are engaging and very easy to use.
There is also a small path lined on both sides with a “forest” of logs. The challenge is to run through without touching any of them—a task that’s surprisingly fun and not so easy, even for adults.
The playground even features an eight-person swing set, which is essentially four connected swings that move in relation to one another. The remaining elements at the playground are exhibits from the science centre.
The Brainasium is part of the Telus Spark Science Centre, an institution dedicated to integrating art and creativity into how people engage with science and technology. The centre offers numerous educational programs for school-aged kids and university students. A visit to the centre and the Brainasium is a must, as it’s not just a place for learning but also a space for inspiration and discovery.
Variety’s Inclusive Playground
Variety is a children’s charity in Alberta that supports kids with disabilities and special needs. The organization works to create an environment where these children can gain greater independence and enjoy positive childhood experiences.
One of the organization’s flagship projects is the inclusive playground in South Glenmore Park. It’s a modern space where every child can play, learn, and grow, regardless of their abilities.
The playground features a wide range of equipment, from tunnel slides to various musical instruments that help develop motor skills and coordination. It is also equipped with ramps, accessible pathways, and specialized equipment, ensuring that everyone can participate without barriers.
There are designated quiet zones, which are especially important for children with sensory needs. The park also includes accessible washrooms, parking areas, and shaded gazebos where parents and guardians can relax. This playground is a fantastic example of how inclusivity is steadily becoming a part of every aspect of our lives. And that’s a wonderful thing!
Creekstone Circle Playground
With its highly unusual design, the Creekstone Circle Playground is a popular meeting spot for kids. The playground is divided into two themed zones: space and earth. The space zone features a large, space-themed climbing structure that lets kids explore the cosmos while they play.
For the youngest visitors, there’s a section shaped like a hot-air balloon that adds to the atmosphere and sparks children’s imaginations. The playground is also equipped with four swings and has a soft surface, making it completely safe for play.
Unfortunately, inclusivity and accessibility are minimal here. The wood chip surfacing, while considered more accessible than some options, can still be challenging for many children. There is, however, a tandem swing for those who need back support.
The playground was built on the site of the former Isbister Estate, and some elements are designed to mimic features of the original family home and its surroundings. Try to find all the hidden tributes with your kids!
Plenty of trees surround the playground, providing natural shade. There are also several picnic tables and interesting cube-shaped seats for parents to rest on. It’s a wonderful spot for a family outing, combining creative design with safety and comfort.
Mahogany Central Park Playground
The Mahogany Central Park Playground is a fish-themed play area located in the middle of a large green space. Scenic pathways wind through the Mahogany neighbourhood, leading you directly to it.
Designed in collaboration with Bassett Associates Landscape Architecture Inc., this is the newest playground in the area. Its main highlight is a 7-metre-tall rainbow trout that looks like it has just leaped out of the nearby lake. The trout sculpture is highly functional: kids can climb over its outer surface and play inside its belly, where openings create interesting patterns of light and shadow. The fish also has a curved tail that doubles as a walkway.
The aquatic theme is further enhanced by wooden reeds and lily pad boards. The playground’s design was inspired by the movement of lakes and rivers, making it the perfect place for imaginative play and exploring the world of water.
Glacier Ridge Playground
Located in the city’s northwest, the Glacier Ridge playground is a modern and inclusive space for children of all ages. The main attraction is a wooden fox sculpture named Foxy. This structure is also functional, allowing kids to climb inside and around it. That said, space inside is limited, fitting only a few children at a time.
The playground also features many other nature-inspired elements, including stump steps, wooden structures, large climbing boulders, musical panels, and various swings for different age groups. It was designed for children aged 4 to 10, with special consideration for kids with disabilities.
Green spaces and walking paths surround the playground, creating a wonderful and healthy environment for active play and sport.
Playgrounds are more than just fun for children; they are a vital tool for their physical development. They stimulate different muscle groups, help develop balance, coordination, flexibility, motor skills, and endurance. Bright, interactive elements encourage kids to stay active longer and return to their favourite spots, promoting physical activity in a natural and enjoyable way.