Bowness

Bowness

Calgary may not be known for its beaches, but it still has gorgeous places to take a dip on hot summer days! Here are some of the hidden gem swimming holes around the city for you to check out:

  • Griffith Woods: Nestled in Discovery Ridge, Griffith Woods has gorgeous trails and some perfect places for taking a dip. You can find access to the river, and ponds. This area is frequented by bears and other wildlife, so be safe! Also be mindful that it backs onto Tsuutina Nation, so be respectful of all posted signage. 
  • Sikome Lake: This lake is man-made and a sandy paradise! It costs a small fee for access, but the sandy beaches make it worth it. The water is not too deep, so it tends to be warmer than a dip in the river. This is a great place for…

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In Calgary we love our coffee shops!

Instead of giving money to a big corporation like Starbucks or Tim Hortons, support a local business! Here are some of the incredible local coffee shops in the city for you to taste test:

Cadence Coffee: “Cadence Coffee is a 21st century diner located in the heart of Bowness, where friends meet to enjoy great food, superfine coffee, and fresh baking.”

Analog: "Analog was founded with the view that every cup of coffee poured should be something special, and that ‘good enough’, is never good enough. The first Analog was opened in 2011 at the Calgary Farmers Market, followed by the 17th Ave location right in heart of the city’s beltline in 2012. Our community (and cafés) have only continued to grow from…

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My family has lived in Bowness and Montgomery since 1955, and I (Ken Richter) also attended and graduated from Bowness High School in 1976. Bowness is where my wife Vivian Richter and I raised our children, who also attended public school from K to 12 here. Over the past 40 years I have been a Bowness Community Minor Hockey Coach for 9 years, participated in other Bowness sporting teams, and helped organize numerous community special events. Over the years, my wife Vivian also volunteered with the Bowness Figure Skating Club and assisted and supported our family with many BCA activities. Today our immediate family all live and play in Bowness, including our children and grandchildren.

Every year we sponsor the BCA Holiday Dinner and the Annual…

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  1. Parks! Calgary is home to some of the largest and most well-protected green spaces in Canada. Here at Team Ken Richter we love being right by Bowness Park, one of the oldest in the city.
  2. Local Businesses! Calgarians are filled with an entrepreneurial spirit that has brought so many unique, home-grown businesses to the city. We love shopping local!
  3. Theatre! Whether small improv theatre’s like Loose Moose or big-stage productions at Arts Commons, Calgary is home to so much high-quality theatre. Plus, our film industry is growing exponentially!
  4. Western Roots! We love our western roots. Calgary was settled by cowboys, and that cowboy spirit remains the heart of our city.
  5. Downtown Skyline! Calgary truly has one of the most beautiful downtown…

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Skating on the Bowness Lagoon is a Calgary tradition! The City of Calgary writes, "Bowness Park was built before the First World War by John Hextall, a local land developer. It was built in the town of Bowness as a weekend retreat for nearby Calgarians." For over a hundred years, Calgarians have enjoyed Bowness park through rain, shine, and snow. Now, it's your turn. 

The City of Calgary offers the following information for those of you wanting to visit the park for a skate:

Enjoy free outdoor skating on the lagoon in the eastern portion of the park from mid-November to mid-March (weather dependent). Helmets are strongly encouraged.

Skating hours: 5 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily

Skate rentals: Rentals provided by the University of Calgary Outdoor…

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Christmas in Calgary is a magical time of the year. With so much to do and see, there is something for everyone hoping to make their spirits a little more merry and bright. Looking for some classic Calgary Christmas activities? We've got your Christmas in Calgary bucket list!

Here is your guide to Christmas in Calgary:

  1. Experience an old fashioned Christmas at Once Upon a Christmas at Heritage Park. Not only can you learn the holiday traditions of days past, but you'll get the chance to see Santa, explore the exhibits, pet fuzzy animals, try authentic Candy Cane, and so much more. These events are very family friendly, with lots to enjoy for every age. 
  2. Volunteer with Operation Christmas Child! Calgary is home to one of Samaritan Purse's…

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There are lots of fun events happening around the city of Calgary this month! Here are just a handful:

November 3-30 Potion Putt: Wizarding Mini Golf
November 4 The Wine Experience
November 4 - 30 The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at Rosebud Theatre
November 9 Bryan Adams Tour
November 11 Remembrance Day
November 12-13 Bowness Holiday Craft Fair
November 16 BCA General Meeting
November 17-20 Disney On Ice
November 18 Live Country Music at The Big Four Roadhouse
November 20 Deerfoot Inn & Casino Holiday Market
November 21-22 BCA Casino Fundraiser
November 23 Zoolights: Adults Only Night
November 26 Calgary Scouts Christmas Market
November 26 Little Modern Christmas Market
November 26 The Candy Cane Kids
November 28 Rupi Kaur Live Tour

Have a great November,…

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October is such a fun events season, kicking off all of the holidays that the end of the year brings. Whether you’re looking for autumnal delights or spooky treats, there is something for everyone this fall! Here are just a handful of the events you can look forward to:

  • Heritage Park Ghost Tours & Ghouls Night Out: Did you know that Heritage Park is haunted? The ghost tours are a fun way to learn more about Calgary’s spooky history. If that sounds too scary for you, check out their Halloween event, Ghouls Night Out! There are ton of live performances, activities, photo opportunities and more. Plus, you’re encouraged to wear your costume.
  • Stampeders vs. Roughriders: It’s a rivalry as old as time. The Roughriders are known to have some of the…

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F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, "life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall"; and oh, how crisp it has become! The autumn leaves are in full bloom, flaunting gorgeous shades of reds, yellows and oranges. Autumn is a beautiful--but short--transition time between our hot summers and cold winters, so embrace this small window of beauty while it lasts!

The most popular destination to see the fall colours is the mountains, where larch season is underway and autumn is on full display. However, mountain destinations can be packed with locals looking for an escape and tourists coming to stand in awe and wonder. Popular Kananaskis hiking destinations, the towns of Banff and Canmore, and Lake Louise are crowded these days, so skip them! Did you…

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Happy May, Calgary! Here are some of the fun events happening around our city this month:

May 6-7 Calgary International BeerFest: "The Calgary International Beerfest brings the beer world together at Canada’s largest beer festival. Rated as one of the best beer festivals in the world, with 700+ beers from 200+ breweries, and so many innovative destinations within the festival, your biggest challenge will be deciding where to start."

May 15 Bowness Spring Clean Up: "The Bowness Spring Clean Up is a partnership between the Bowness Community Association, the City of Calgary, and other local organizations and businesses to provide free disposal services to our community. Residents can drop off their unwanted items to various recycling vendors and/or…

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