Variety Childrenβs Park in South Glenmore offers a nice nautical-themed playground for kids of all ages, a splash park, and a bike track nearby. Here’s our review so you know what to expect when visiting (+more family-friendly activities at the end).
I donβt know anyone who doesnβt like Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. I mean, whatβs not to like? Thereβs a biking/running path around the reservoir, several playgrounds for kids (I also wrote a review about North Glenmore Park Inclusive Playground), a bike track, forest paths, barbeque & picnic tables, the Heritage Park, a sailing club, and even an ice rink with a night-lit ice trail in winter. How awesome is that?
Even though you canβt swim in the Glenmore Reservoir because itβs the source of drinking water for Calgary, thereβs so much fun to be had around the water.
This post is part of the series about the best playgrounds in Calgary.
South Glenmore Park has a Variety Childrenβs Park with a playground and a splash park. The best thing about the park is that itβs fully fenced, and the splash park is part of the playground. Usually, the splash park and a playground are separated, so every time we visit Variety Childrenβs Park, it looks like all kids have the time of their lives.
The playground is fully accessible with a soft floor made of a pour-in tire, easy ramp access, slides, swings, and lots of playful setups on the ground level.
Here’s everything you need to know about the South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park.
Info about South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park:
- Location: Entrance is at 90 Ave SW & 24 St SW, Map
- Parking: Free unlimited parking
- Age range: all ages
- Public washroom right at the playground
- Splash parks in Calgary usually open mid-June; check Calgaryβs website for updates
- Outside showers in summer and water-friendly wheelchairs for kids are available (provided by the City of Calgary)
South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park
Playground features
A blue boat structure with several water fountains around and a gazebo providing shade are located in the middle of the playground. Then thereβs a big blue climbing structure for older toddlers that is accessible via a ramp and offers several slides from different heights.
Around the structure are a 4-person sway swing, 4-person bouncer swing, musical features, colourful hand spinners, globe spinner, rope climber, and a small wobbly raft.
The other part of the playground is for small toddlers. It has a smaller climbing structure with slides, saucer swings, a 4-person spinner, and the biggest hit for almost all little ones β the roller tunnel.
Itβs a very busy park, especially in summer, so be prepared to get wet from water guns! If youβre looking for a less busy splash park with more types of water fountains, I suggest Rotary Park near Calgary downtown.
Relax options
Trees around the playground provide shade with grass all around it, but sitting benches are limited; most people bring their picnic blankets.
Around the playground
Just behind the fence, as you walk towards Glenmore Reservoirβs shore, are several sitting benches with lots of musical instruments enjoyed by kids & adults.
Thereβs a picnic shelter with barbeque right by the parking lot.
About 800 meters west (a 10-minute walk away) is a Bicycle Pump Track with two different trails where we always see lots of bikers of all ages. You can use South Glenmore Parking Area West to head straight to the bicycle track.
What’s close by
If you continue west from the playground, you arrive at Weaselhead Flats, a great wildlife watching area with paths through the forest.
As mentioned before, the north side of Glenmore Reservoir has a new accessible playground. The East side is where you find Heritage Park.
More family-friendly fun activities in Calgary
- Granary Road: Active Learning Park & Petting Zoo
- Telus Spark Science Centre
- Calgary Zoo
- Sikome Lake
- 10 Best indoor playgrounds in Calgary
- Early Learning Centres in Calgary Public Libraries
- Cobbβs Adventure Park
- 33 best family trip movies youβll love
Have you been to this playground? What do you think?