March 14, 2014 | CREBNow

'A Great Area For Relaxation'

Living in Calgary gives the big city feel, but the city offers so many easy ways to find nature. Nose Hill Park is just one of the many vast open parks found within city limits.

Located along 14 Street NW, Nose Hill Park spans 11 square kilometres and is surrounded by 12 Calgary communities. The park
was created in 1980 and it is believed the name comes from the fact that from certain areas with some imagination the hill can look like a nose.

Calgary resident, Pamela Chapman loves taking her dog to spend time at Nose Hill Park. "I choose Nose Hill because of the location, the size and the view it gives. It also has an off-leash park for my dog to run freely."

Nose Hill Park is one of two remaining examples of the high plains that covered the area many years ago. The towering hill with
the valleys and lowlands is all that is left of ancient rivers and successive glaciers that have eroded the landscape.

On the east side of Nose Hill Park a "glacial erratic", which is rocks and debris carried from other places and deposited in the park, can be found. The debris was a part of Mount Edith Cavell in Jasper National Park.

The park is also home to archaeological sites and stone circles known as "tipi rings", which were formed by using stones to hold down the edges of tipis. The hill was used as a sacred place to hold ceremonies and burials.

In the 1800s when the European settlers came they used the area for farming and ranching, at this time much of the park was going to be used for residential development, but citizen action saved the land making it the park all Calgarians know and love.

Calgarians can be seen walking their dogs through the park, watching them run in the off-leash areas, going out for a hike or just out to take a stroll and enjoy the fresh air. With all the traffic through the park, it was decided in 2006 to improve the trail
and pathway system to lessen the impact on wildlife and native vegetation.

"I think Nose Hill adds a great area for relaxation to a big city setting," said Chapman. "You can go for walks or just sit on a bench and enjoy the view of the big city. It reminds me a little bit of Stanley Park in B.C. — a place to go relax and walk around a big beautiful park without having to go far from the city or your home."

Nose Hill Park is a piece of history that has been preserved to keep as much of the natural environment as possible while still
allowing Calgarians to enjoy the green space without ever leaving the city.

Living in communities surrounding Nose Hill Park not only allows for quick and easy access points to the park, but many other amenities nearby like the University of Calgary.

Market Mall
Looking to fill all your shopping needs, Market Mall is one of Calgary's many shopping centres. The mall offers over 200 fashion and lifestyle brand stores. Market Mall has two full service restaurants and 24 eateries in the food court to choose from when you get a hankering for your favourite treat. Don't be afraid to take the kids out too, there is a Monkey
Around/Playground for children to enjoy. The mall is located at 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW and is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

OLYMPIC OVAL
The Olympic Oval is known for having the fastest ice in the world on the long track speed skating rink and the two Olympic-sized hockey rinks. The large oval ice track, 400 metres around by 13 metres wide, is used for long track speed skating, competition and public skating. To make the ice the fastest in the world it is made with demineralized water, which reduces the amount of dirt and mineral build-up and increases friction between the ice and the skate blades. The Olympic Oval is located on the University of Calgary campus at 2500 University Dr. NW. Check out public skating times at schedules.oval.ucalgary.ca/Public.aspx.

The Edgemont Club
World Health Edgemont offers gym goers a unique state-of-the-art fitness space with Calgary's most advanced cardiovascular machines. Other services include personal training, group exercise classes, kids club, an outdoor pool and more. The Edgemont Sport Club is conveniently located in the community of Edgemont Northwest with easy access from Dalhousie LRT and John Laurie Blvd. If you would like to find out more about improving your health, please call 403-239-4048 or visit the club to book a tour.

Blue House Café
One of Calgary's hidden treasures, the Blue House Café at Northmount Drive and 19 Street NW offers tasty, contemporary Latin American cuisine that is presented in a cozy environment. The menu features exquisitely prepared fresh seafood and vegetables as well as beef, lamb and chicken served up with Latin salsas, sauces, spices and tropical fruit. An extensive wine list and a wide selection of mouthwatering desserts will complete your evening.

Tagged: Calgary Community | Calgary Real Estate News | Market Mall | Nose Hill Park