Variety Children’s 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 don’t know anyone who doesn’t like Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. I mean, what’s not to like? There’s 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 can’t swim in the Glenmore Reservoir because it’s the source of drinking water for Calgary, there’s 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

South Glenmore Park has a Variety Children’s Park with a playground and a splash park. The best thing about the park is that it’s 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 Children’s 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.

Variety Children's Park

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 Calgary’s website for updates
  • Outside showers in summer and water-friendly wheelchairs for kids are available (provided by the City of Calgary)

Sway swing at Variety Children's Park

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 there’s a big blue climbing structure for older toddlers that is accessible via a ramp and offers several slides from different heights.

South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park

Climbing structure at Variety Children's Park

South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park

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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.

Globe spinner at Variety Children's Park

South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park

Music at Variety Children's Park

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 – the roller tunnel.

South Glenmore Variety Park Playground & Splash Park

Roller tunnel at Variety Children's Park

It’s a very busy park, especially in summer, so be prepared to get wet from water guns! If you’re 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 Reservoir’s shore, are several sitting benches with lots of musical instruments enjoyed by kids & adults.

There’s 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.

Bicycle Track at South Glenmore Park

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


Have you been to this playground? What do you think?


 

About Maya Steiningerova

Heyo, I’m Maya! An adventure athlete currently living near the Canadian Rockies with my partner in crime Michal. I love running in the mountains, jumping in the ice cold lakes, mountain biking and trying not so common activities, such as mountaineering. By showing that an ordinary person can live an extraordinary life, my hope is to inspire you to live an adventurous life and provide you with tips and tools for your own adventure.

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