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As it goes with places we love that are suddenly “new and improved,” there are things the more sentimental among us might pine for when we take a spin around the rejuvenated, recently reopened Bowness Park. Things like, say, the parking situation that required us to drive ’round and ’round and ’round the perimeter of the park looking for a spot until we were too dizzy to eat our picnic lunches. Or the scarcity of lagoon-side benches to sit on to lace up our skates—those of us who grew up in Calgary may remember perching on the flipped-down tailgates of our parents’ station wagons with fondess (if not pain; thanks, dad, for consistently lacing our skates so tight our toes turned blue).
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Those are just a couple of the charming old inconveniences that the 104-year-old, 30-hectare Bowness Park has done away with since undergoing what started out as a minor reno a couple years ago, but became a major facelift following extensive damage from the 2013 flood. The parking is now centralized in one big lot in the middle of the park, effectively opening up the pathways along the river’s edge—an area once dominated by vehicles trolling for parking—to pedestrians, and increasing the safety of the park for ball- and bunny-chasing children.
The lagoon is likewise transformed, arguably for the better: benches, picnic tables and firepits now occupy what was once yet another poorly designed parking lot. These amenities create an inviting courtyard space for lacing up and warming up (a survey revealed that park users did not want the return of the firepits that once sat directly on the ice). And while many of us may have been dedicated fans of the old cafe’s standard french fries and hot chocolate, the new venue is more thoughtfully executed: not only will Seasons Cafe offer a varied menu when it opens this spring; it will also have more seating, including a patio that extends into a huge deck cantilevered over the lagoon.
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The final improvement to Calgary’s most popular outdoor rink will be noticed only by the lankiest among us. The main entrance bridge, which threatened to whack the heads of tall skaters cruising along the canal on the lagoon’s west end, has been raised a few inches. It’s a subtle change, but it means an increase in ice surface (the rink was always shallower and a little sunken here to make room for the Zamboni), and makes for a more welcoming and stylish entrance to the Bowness skating experience.
Any residual nostalgia for the park as it once was will surely evaporate like warm breath as our feet fly along the meandering stream.
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