Connecting with Nature
Posted on September 10, 2024
The greens and the blues of the world still surround us. Nature is a big part of our daily lives and its easy to take it for granted. Summer is a perfect opportunity to have a day to sit back, relax, and appreciate your natural surroundings. Here are some effective ways to connect with nature!
Hiking/Walking
Whether it be a day trip to your favorite trails in Kananaskis County, or a quick walking trail in Calgary., hiking/walking has many physical and mental health benefits. It improves heart health by reducing hypertension and glucose tolerance. It is also gives you a chance to get away from technology and live in the present moment. A trail I personally recommend is the Prairie View Trail; sunrise hiking-- it is breathtaking and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel afterward is incomparable. If you’re looking for a walking trail around Calgary, you should check out Douglas Park and Glenmore Park!
Picnic
Various parks around Calgary are great for picnics. Some parks have more restrictions than others so always check and make sure you meet each park’s criteria. Make sure to clean up after yourself, don’t feed wild animals, treat nature with kindness, enjoy, and have a lovely time.
-
Bowness Park- a popular picnic location along the Bow River. There are also paddle boat rentals provided by the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre.
-
Carburn Park- this park has many walking paths to explore 135 hectares of plant life and wildlife before or after your picnic. It has access to the Bow River along with three man-made ponds.
-
Edworthy Park- there are nine picnic areas, a few gazebos, and pathways to enjoy! There are also off-leash areas that are great for your pets.
Click here for more information about food safety tips for your future picnics!
Paddleboarding/ Lake Days
Enjoy a refreshing day by the water. The cool air will clear you head, help relieve stress, and uplift your mood. If you are feeling a little more adventurous, paddleboarding and/or kayaking is the way to go! Some places in Calgary offer paddle boat/kayak rentals either for a few hours or even longer! Lazy Day Raft Rentals is one of Calgary’s popular boat tour and water activity rental places so definitely check them out if you are planning a day full of fun!
Biking
Biking is a great way to enjoy the city’s natural surroundings. There are many beautiful biking routes and loops around Calgary. Komoot offers the top 20 recommended bike rides and trails around Calgary. These trails have reviews and ratings from Calgarians give important information such as whether the trail is easy, intermediate, or hard. I love how helpful and encouraging platform is to beginner bikers. I highly recommend you click the link to check it out.
These activities will not only make your summer worthwhile, but also help your body and mind to engage with nature! Let’s make the best out of the little time we have left until summer is over.
Author:
Arianne Somosa
Communications Team Volunteer
Green Calgary
