Bowmont Park

Bowmont Park is a significant natural-environment park located along the northern bank of the Bow River in northwest Calgary, developed in the early 1980s and spanning roughly 164 to 192 hectares. It blends mature riverine forest and native grasslands, forming one of the city’s most vital wildlife corridors. Visitors can enjoy a network of hiking, walking and cycling trails, designated off-leash zones, playgrounds, picnic areas, a soccer field and a baseball diamond, all integrated with restored natural habitat.

The park’s geological features are striking: steep escarpments formed by Glacial Lake Calgary expose cliff-face sediment layers and showcase a tufa-based, spring-fed waterfall within “Waterfall Valley,” complete with a scenic lookout over the river valley. The mature cottonwood forest, grasslands and creek-fed gullies provide habitat for many species—Canada geese, mergansers, gulls, songbirds, amphibians, even evidence of beavers.

Ecological initiatives have been central to the park’s evolution. The western section includes a Fish Habitat Enhancement Project to restore aquatic connectivity and compensate for flood-damage repairs. East-side transformation includes Dale Hodges Park, built on a former gravel pit and now featuring wetlands, polishing marshes, stormwater treatment systems, sculpted landforms, walking trails, wildlife habitat and public art, restoring ecological function and resilience.

A management plan updated in 2016 guided off-leash zone fencing, restoration efforts, naturalization (native species reintroduction), signage, and ongoing public engagement to protect sensitive areas while improving access and experience.

Overall, Bowmont Park offers a compelling combination of geological insight, ecosystem restoration, recreational diversity and thoughtful design—making it a rich green space that balances conservation and community use.