Prince's Island Park

Prince, a Quebec-born lumberman, came to Calgary in the 1880s to build and run the Eau Claire Lumber Company's sawmill. According to the City of Calgary, the company dug a channel, now the park's lagoon, so that logs coming down from the Kananaskis area could be floated closer to the mill. The result was an island. Accounts differ on how much of the work to credit to Prince personally and how much to the company, and on the exact year the channel was cut, so the story is best told in general terms.

Prince also formed the Calgary Water Power Company in 1889 to supply electric streetlights, first running on sawdust-fired steam. By 1893 he had built what Alberta heritage sources describe as a hydroelectric plant near the east end of the lagoon. After his death in 1925 the mill carried on until about 1944; one source says 1945.

The island passed to Calgary in 1947. The City's page says it bought the land from the Prince family for park development, while some other accounts describe a donation, so sources disagree on whether money changed hands. It has been used as a park since the 1950s. A renovation approved in 1999 added a constructed wetland and native plant restoration, and the name is often misspoken as "Princess Island Park"; it is Prince's.

The lagoon, the old log channel, now hosts seasonal outdoor skating, per the City. A constructed wetland at the eastern end treats stormwater before it returns to the Bow River, and the Chevron Learning Pathway loops around it with interpretive signs. The park has picnic areas, a playground, pathways, flower gardens and seasonal water fountains. The River Café restaurant sits on the island, and dogs are permitted on leash in a designated area, with exceptions on certain festival days.

Wikipedia and the City both note Canada geese and mallards as regulars. The park also holds the "Remembering Our Children" trail, an art walk about residential schools that uses the IndigiTRAILS app.

Prince's Island is a major outdoor events site. The City names the Calgary Folk Music Festival and Canada Day celebrations, and Wikipedia lists others, including Shakespeare in the Park, Carifest, Heritage Day, Afrikadey and Expo Latino. Event dates and vehicle restrictions change each year, so check the City of Calgary and event organizers before planning around a festival.

Three bridges link the island to Eau Claire and downtown, and a north bridge links toward Memorial Drive and Crescent Heights. A causeway reaches the west end from Eau Claire, but parking is limited and vehicle access is restricted during events. The island is part of the Bow River pathway network, so it connects easily on foot or by bike to other riverside stops.

Because of the limited vehicle access, arriving by drop-off works well; a private Voyzo tour with a driver can drop you at the edge of the park and collect you after your walk, with door-to-door pickup from your hotel. Check the City of Calgary for current hours and any closures.