Riley Park

One of the many amazing things that makes Calgary Calgary, are the places that allow you to take a step back from the city hustle and just breathe. One block you’re cruising the inner city shops of Kensington and the next, you’re smack dab in the middle of of soft, green grass, gorgeous flowers, families flying kites and hippies with hacky sacks.
While it’s close to the core, it still feels safe and clean. It feels safe, not because of a huge and dominating security presence, but because the sight lines are clear. There are gorgeous old trees, perfect for kids to climb and no good keeping shady characters out of site so they can get up to their shady dealings. Riley has everywhere to play and nowhere to hide. Perfect. There also seems to be a certain pride and respect that Riley Park patrons have. Bottles and can’s are cleaned up, noise levels are respected and everyone seems to respect others’ activities.
I love how good city parks act as an attraction for people to showcase their park life abilities. Dog owners parade their puppies, slackliners practice their skills and impress passerbys, and those dudes flexing without their shirts… um, well. good on you, bro. Actually, Riley Park tends to be more a haven for hippies than a Sunday afternoon meat market. If you want that kind of show, check out Prince’s Island Park.

Nestled between Kensington and SAIT, this is a nice intercity park. Bring a blanket, some snacks, maybe some tunes or a good book and set up shop in the shade. There’s a wading pool (fun times for the kiddos), a cricket pitch and you can even venture up the hill a bit and check out Senator Patrick Burns Memorial Rock garden (the flowers are amazing in the summer!)
For such a quick growing city, it’s nice to have a park like this that allows you to have a quick getaway without having to drive out of the city.

Thanks to Unilocal photos, we had this park on our list to visit and it did not disappoint!
Right in the heart of urban Calgary lies this park, not too big and not too small. You could walk the whole thing in 20 minutes.
Home to hoola hoop wearing hippies, homeless people and their pitbulls, tai chi practitioners, guitar strummers, skater boys, sunbathers, kids on the play structure and a ton of cute small dogs!
It was really well maintained as is the theme of every Calgary Park I have seen to date. I was too early to watch a game of Cricket but I can see why this would be a lot of fun, to play here.
I loved the tall trees and the huge spruces gave way to a ton of shade for people wanting to picnic, relax and sleep. Parking was easy on a side street and of course, free on Sundays. If I lived closer to Kensington, I would be here quite often! The highlight for me were the rock and flower gardens, a must-​see!

I LOVE Riley Park. I find myself here quite often, especially in the warmer months. It is perfect for a stroll, a picnic, a swim, or just to lounge! Calgary doesn’t have enough beautiful parks or green spaces (as opposed to Edmonton, the one good thing about that place). I love that there are big, beautiful trees to find shade under, and plenty of green space to frolic or throw around a frisbee. I love all of the flowers, the rock garden, and the water feature. I love the paths and the wading pool for kids to splash around in. Mostly, I love the peace and serenity in the midst of a bustling city centre. It’s a gem in our wonderful city.
Many people bring their dogs, others have their wedding photos taken here, and some come for sunbathing and park naps. Its an oasis in the heart of Kensington, one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Calgary, and it has everything you need right around the corner. One of my favourite things to do is grab Vietnamese from Touch of Ginger down the road, grab a couple of beers, and sit in the park for an impromptu lunch. You may even get to catch a riveting game of cricket! Everything you need for a relaxing day — just don’t forget the sunscreen & bug spray!

I give this place five stars. It is my back yard, literally. So my review is biased insofar as I am a part of the park. As are many others. When I do taiji quan in the morning, there are others always there. We acknowledge each other. When I do taiji quan in the afternoon I do not have to acknowledge others, as they are as busy as the park is. When I do taiji quan in the evening, there are others. As with the morning, we recognize and acknowledge each other. When I do Taiji quan late at night (against the bylaw) there are ‘others’. Trepidation indicates that they notice me. They eventually (substance fuelled?) begin to ask me ‘who’ I am, and ‘what’ I am doing. I always get along just fine with the late night ones.
Go to this place. It is an amazing park. go whenever. Please.
Trust me… good times.

A pleasant inner city park located in Kensington, I recently discovered this place as the perfect alternative to coffee shop dwelling. The park may seem a bit small, but on a sunny day, every patch of space can be every bit as peaceful as a Japanese Buddhist garden.
And everyone comes out to this park with activities I haven’t seen in other parks in the city: Cricket, Poetry readings, Hipster wrestling, and one of my favourite past-​time games as a bored child, kicking soccer balls over the baseball fence.
On a sunny day, aim for the bench closest to 10^st SW, its a great spot :)

Urban parks are tough. They are expensive to maintain, hard to police and it can be difficult to inspire urban dwellers to actually use them. We’ve all driven by green spaces that never have anyone anywhere near them. Not even displaced (i.e. homeless) people.
But Riley Park is different — it’s flourishing! It’s a huge green space sandwiched between SAIT and Kensington. It is home to one of Calgary’s more popular cricket fields — it’s nice to sit there in the shade watching a game where you have no idea what’s going on. There are lots of big trees that provide plenty of shade and quite developed gardens — different colours, heights, textures and fragrances.
More exciting stuff it offers? It has a kiddie pool, refreshing. But it has lots of live music too — there is a small covered stage that had a live music group that plays. Farther along, closer to the cricket field, there is a group of guys who DJ, playing relaxing, unobtrusive house music and messing around with a hackey sack. What else is kind of nice? That there’s a Shell station half a block away with all the refreshments and bug spray you could want, as well as trendy Kensington, with more beer pit stops than a person could know what to do with.
There is lots of parking, being right beside the Hillhurst Community Centre and just north of the park, at the base of the hill in behind it. Perfect for Sunday reading, boccie or sunbathing.

In all my years spent at Riley Park, I didn’t know until recently that it’s actually the official cricket grounds in Canada! Riley Park plays host to Cricket Leagues, and during the summer, it also hosts concerts, bands and shows!
During the summer, I often head to Riley Park for a picnic. I also like to head over with my cousins who thoroughly enjoy splashing around in the wading pool. Plus no visit to Riley Park is complete without a visit to the gardens, the playground and the concession stand.
Riley Park has always held a very special place in my heart. Some things never change.

Fancy some cricket and a crumpet, poppet?
It’s a rather nice lil thought to plan an English picnic (crumpets, Earl Grey iced tea & cucumber sandwiches) and go watch the one great place to see Cricket in Calgary. It’ll feel like you transported yourself somewhere else for the afternoon.
Or grab a bubble tea or smoothie in nearby Kensington and make your way to Riley Park and find some solace in the shade of the Patrick Burns Memorial Gardens, just North of the park. Don’t be surprised if you see white satin and bow ties through the trees; this is a summer weekend wedding photo hot spot!
Personally, on a hot day, I’m quite partial to being a child all over again. Hit the wading pool and find your abandon with the other kidlets. Nothing feels quite so refreshing as dipping your feet in water. Bring a friend, have some great chat. And if you want some free entertainment, try picking up some kid’s beach ball that’s floated your way. Watch their face. Instant recipe for bratty lil sibling. Try not to giggle when you give it back. :o)