Central Memorial Park
1221 2 Street SW, Calgary, AB
403-268-2489
This inner city oasis is Calgary’s oldest park, and provides residents with a tangible piece of history and a peaceful getaway in the midst of all of the hustle and bustle of downtown.
Category:
Recreation Location
Where:
| Neighbourhood | | Downtown |
| Getting There | | The park is a short walk south from the 6th Street East or 5th Street West C-Train stations. |
| Cross Street | | 12th Ave SW |
When:
| The park closes at 11pm every night and is regularly patrolled throughout the day. |
Profile Last Updated: July 28, 2009
Downtown leisure
You may have heard of Calgary’s Central Park, or maybe the name you’ve been told is Memorial Park. Both of these names refer to what is officially known as Central Memorial Park. Encompassing a total of 4.68 acres, the park occupies one city block and is located between 11th and 12th Avenues and 2nd and 4th Streets SW. If you’ve ever been to the area, you will likely remember the park’s most prominent resident - a 1912 statue of R.L. Boyle aboard his horse that stands as a tribute to Albertans who fought in the Boer War. The Memorial Park Library at the east end of the park features the characteristic Paskapoo sandstone blocks that comprise many of the historic buildings along Stephen Avenue.
You may have heard of Calgary’s Central Park, or maybe the name you’ve been told is Memorial Park. Both of these names refer to what is officially known as Central Memorial Park. Encompassing a total of 4.68 acres, the park occupies one city block and is located between 11th and 12th Avenues and 2nd and 4th Streets SW. If you’ve ever been to the area, you will likely remember the park’s most prominent resident - a 1912 statue of R.L. Boyle aboard his horse that stands as a tribute to Albertans who fought in the Boer War. The Memorial Park Library at the east end of the park features the characteristic Paskapoo sandstone blocks that comprise many of the historic buildings along Stephen Avenue.
Edwardian garden design
Beauty and function come together at this inner-city park. During the warmer months, the park hosts impressive displays of flowers designed in an Edwardian manner, including over 11,000 tulips. There are numerous areas available where visitors of the park can sit and enjoy the scenery and paved pathways lead through the sights.
Memorial Park enters the 21st century
In the last few years the City of Calgary has concentrated on the park’s redevelopment, and the results include the renewal of historic features as well as the inclusion of new amenities such as water features, stages, outdoor reading rooms, and modern conveniences that will allow the park to be better utilized for special events. Also new to the park is a fine-dining restaurant called Boxwood, which serves lunches, dinners, weekend brunches, picnics and snacks to go.
Remembering our Fallen Soldiers
Designed in appreciations of veterans’ sacrifices and dating as far back as 1899, the park’s cenotaph, located at the west end, is the site for one of the city’s Remembrance Day ceremonies each year on November 11th.
