Home Care In Lake Bonavista, AB

With the temperatures in Calgary heating up for the summer, there’s a good chance that you’ve been searching for the perfect place to cool off. While the city has some fantastic options for splash pads, wading pools and swimming pools, sometimes you just can’t beat a day at the beach. If you’re lucky to be a community member or have connections to one, Auburn Bay, Arbour Lake, Chaparral, Lake Bonavista, Sundance, Mahogany, Lake Midnapore and McKenzie Lake, and Coral Springs are all lake communities with beach access within city limits. If these options aren’t available to you, don’t sweat it! We’ve rounded up a list of 9 beaches in Calgary and close by to help your family get their fix!

Best Family-Friendly Beaches Near Calgary

Head to Fish Creek Provincial Park in south Calgary to lay out your towel at Sikome Aquatic Facility (sometimes referred to as Sikome Lake). This man-made beach is open to the public from June to September from 11 – 5:30 Monday to Thursday and 10 – 6:30 Friday to Sunday and on holidays. Many families head here to enjoy wading in the shallow water or floating and swimming in the middle where the water gets deeper. Amenities include a beach volleyball court, picnic tables, change rooms and showers, 3 playgrounds, a beach shop with items like towels, sunscreen and swim diapers, and a concession. Entry to Sikome Lake includes an admission fee. Families are $10, Adults $5, Seniors $4, and Children are $3. Season passes are also available.

Sandy Beach Park is a favourite spot for Calgarians, even though its name is a little bit misleading. While this beach definitely contains more rocks than sand, it’s a great place to dip your toes into the Elbow River since it’s shallow and slow-moving. It’s common to see folks floating by on inflatable rafts or pups splashing with their owners. It’s also close to facilities like washrooms, playgrounds, picnic tables and picnic areas with firepits and barbecues.

Chestermere Lake is a quick 30 minute drive from Calgary and a popular spot to swim, boat, tube, wakeboard and waterski. Paddle boarding, kayaking and sail boating are also favourite activities for visitors to Lake Chestermere. There are three lakeside parks to visit: Anniversary Park and Beach, located at 208 West Chestermere Drive, Cove Park and Beach, located at 259 Cove Road, and Sunset Park, located at 421 East Chestermere Drive. Playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball pads and bathrooms are available.

If you’re up for a day trip, a drive to Quarry Lake takes just over an hour from Calgary. Even though the lake is located in Canmore, Quarry Lake is known for its warm water (by mountain water standards, anyway!) There is a sandy beach and shallower waters, as well as deeper parts reaching depths of over 100 feet. Picnic tables, benches, pit toilets, and trails can be found in the area. If you’re a fan of paddle boarding, Quarry Lake is a favourite destination for the sport!

Johnson Lake is a little bit further away from Calgary, but is well worth the ninety minute drive west. This lake is the home to Banff’s only beach, but the spectacular mountain views come along with some pretty chilly water, so be prepared! Paddle boarders, canoers and kayakers like this location due to its low wind factor compared to other lakes in the area. There’s plenty of parking available with easy access to the lake from your vehicle.

When you hear the name “Drumheller”, dinosaur fossils may be the first thing that comes to mind, but did you know that they also have a pretty fantastic beach along the Red Deer River? There are lots of shallow spots for younger kiddos to splash and play, as well as deeper water perfect for boating and kayaking. Washrooms, playgrounds, trails and a fenced dog park make it the perfect beach spot for the whole family to enjoy.

Kinbrook Island is a favourite destination for beachgoers in Southern Alberta. Located on Lake Newell, Kinbrook Island boasts tons of great amenities including washrooms, boat launches, playgrounds, nets for beach volleyball, and a concession. Bring along an inflatable for floating, or launch your canoe, paddle boat or kayak from the hand launch.

Sylvan Lake is a hot spot for tourists and residents alike, and it’s easy to see why. A stroll along the boardwalk is all you need to take in the multitude of land and water activities all around – scale the Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash, rent a paddle boat or sea-doo from Sun Sport Recreation, or go for a spin at Lakeside Go-Karts and Mini Golf . Of course, you can relax on the beach or go for a swim if a slower pace is more your style. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream cone at The Big Moo!

Discovery Canyon is one of Alberta’s newest water attractions, located in Red Deer. In addition to the sandy beach area, there’s a man-made lazy river, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Discovery Canyon is open from June until the September long weekend. The park is free of charge to use, and you can bring along your own tube (it just has to be no larger than 30 to 50 inches round, and cannot have a bottom). Tube rentals are available for $6. There’s also a wading pool, picnic tables, accessible washrooms and showers, a playground and a concession to visit.

With so many beaches near Calgary to visit this summer, the hard part will definitely be deciding where to head first! Which Alberta beaches are your favourites? Let us know in the comments!

WARNING: This story contains graphic content. Discretion is advised.

A Calgary vet clinic is warning pet owners to keep their pets inside after a recent string of incidents in which bobcats have mauled house cats, resulting in serious injuries or death.

Acadia Drive Animal Clinic said pet owners should get their cats medical care quickly if they suspect they’ve had a run-in with a wild feline.

“We cannot stress the urgency enough that pets who have had physical encounters with wildlife are an emergency and need to be seen immediately, even if the injuries seem minor,” read a post on the clinic’s Facebook page this week.

“It’s always worse than it looks, and they are carriers of diseases that pose a threat to our domestic cats [feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus] as well as have an abundance of harmful bacteria in their mouths that will cause aggressive infections.”

Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's always worse than it looks, and they are carriers of diseases that pose a threat to our domestic cats [feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus] as well as have an abundance of harmful bacteria in their mouths that will cause aggressive infections."

Communities like Lake Bonavista and Deer Run have seen an increase in bobcat attacks, according to residents.

Southeast Calgary resident Lars Melen said he broke up a fight on March 13 between a bobcat and his cat, Ivy, who was in the family’s fenced backyard. The cat did not survive.

“I heard a commotion and went outside and broke them up and the cat took off one way and the bobcat took off the other way,” he said.

“He looked pretty angry that I took his dinner, but he sauntered off and the cat came back after an hour and was visibly a bit roughed up but we didn’t know how bad.”

Click to share quote on Twitter: "He looked pretty angry that I took his dinner, but he sauntered off and the cat came back after an hour and was visibly a bit roughed up but we didn't know how bad."

Melen took Ivy to the Acadia Drive Animal Clinic the next day.

“She had scratches on her back and quite a few bites all over her body,” he said.

Click to share quote on Twitter: "She had scratches on her back and quite a few bites all over her body," he said.

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Melen said his cat’s condition got progressively worse and that veterinarians did best they could, but recommended to put her down.

There used to be a significant population of rabbits in the area, Melen said. His neighbours suspect that bobcats might be running out of that food source and are targeting small pets.

In her six and a half years at Acadia Drive Animal Clinic, vet technician Lorah McCorriston said she has never seen bobcat bites before.

In the last week, the clinic has seen two bobcat-related cat injuries.

“[Injuries] are always a lot more severe than they look initially,” McCorriston said. “Cats, in general, are — I mean, they’re these magical little healing creatures. That’s part of why they say they have nine lives.

Click to share quote on Twitter: "[Injuries] are always a lot more severe than they look initially," McCorriston said. "Cats, in general, are — I mean, they're these magical little healing creatures. That's part of why they say they have nine lives.

“The thing with cat bites is they have long, thin teeth, so they penetrate deeply and then they heal over. So they’re a very serious risk of infection. [Pets] need to be seen immediately, despite the fact that they might seem OK.”

There has been a spike in bobcat sightings in the city, mostly in forested areas, according to posts on YYC Pet Recovery Facebook page, McCorriston said.

“They are definitely territorial creatures,” McCorriston said. “There’s a possibility there’s just more of them so they have no choice but to spread out.”

WATCH (Sept. 12, 2018): Video captures bobcat roaming in southeast Calgary neighbourhood

1:17

McCorriston said ring road construction near Fish Creek might be pushing them into city.

“I mean, we’re destroying their habitats, unfortunately,” she said.

It’s also breeding season right now, so with bobcat kittens in tow, the animals might be bolder, she said.

The clinic has been in contact with Alberta Fish and Wildlife, who said relocating bobcats is not feasible because of their territorial nature and a low survival rate.

“They basically said the forested areas have been created within the city to accommodate our wildlife and we do just have to learn to live with them,” McCorriston said — whether that means keeping pets indoors, creating a cat run, or buying protective clothing that “makes them look big and scary.”

McCorriston also recommends keeping your pet’s vaccines up to date.

Community sweeping today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rideau Park, Parkhill, Stanley Park, Nolan Hill, Marlborough Park (North, East), Montgomery (East), Edgemont (South of Country Hills Blvd.), Bridlewood (South), McKenzie Lake (West), Deer Run (South), Rosscarrock, and Westgate (North).

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Note: Please follow on-street signage. Any vehicle not removed during a sweeping ban is subject to ticketing and/or towing during the dates and times on posted signage. If the information here differs from on-street signage, the posted signage prevails

The City’s Spring Clean-up program, or street sweeping, removes debris and leftover materials from winter on the roadway. The program begins in mid-April (weather permitting) and runs through June, with community sweeping happening Monday through Fridays, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Calgarians can stay notified by watching for signs in their community, using the address lookup, or signing up for e-mail and/or text notifications.

The City’s street sweeping program cleans over 16,000 lane kilometres of paved roads. Here’s what you can do to help:

Street sweeping parking bans

Before a Street Sweeping Parking ban goes in effect, City crews will put up community signs with “No Parking” symbols a few days earlier at specific locations around the community. These signs are verified by Calgary Parking, who help enforce the ban. Calgarians can also sign up for e-mail/text notifications or perform the address lookup on Calgary.ca/sweep to find out their sweeping date.

Community parking bans occur Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any vehicle that has not been removed from the street during the ban is subject to a ticket. Calgary Parking uses camera vehicles for enforcement, and tickets will arrive through the mail.

In certain areas, vehicles may also be subject to towing if the small 3-feet high "No Parking" signs are placed along the roadway. These signs will be placed at least a minimum of 24 hours prior to street sweeping.

If vehicles are towed:

(Source: Calgary Parking)

Spring Clean-up FAQ

The City of Calgary is partnered with Alberta Sand and Gravel Association to sweep certain roads along gravel hauling routes in NW Calgary. This sweeping is funded by Community Aggregate Pavement (CAP) Levy, and is performed overnight, four nights a week through the fall.

In many ways, Calgary is a tale of two cities. There’s the dense and eclectic downtown neighbourhoods, and also the sprawling suburbia that starts just as suddenly as the downtown core ends.

There are stark differences between the two sides of Calgary, but residents in both parts share some common loves for the city. There’s the extensive trail and park network that runs through its neighbourhoods. The access to more raw nature in nearby Banff and Canmore is seen as a huge plus. And then there’s the fact that you can live a less hectic pace of life with a cheaper cost of living than in bigger cities like Toronto, but still have city amenities with easy reach.

They’re among the reasons why Calgary ranked as the most livable city in Alberta in a comprehensive data study by The Globe and Mail, in partnership with Environics Analytics Group Ltd. Calgary also ranked as the 8th most livable city nationally.

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Some factors that led to its high ranking were solid scores in the amenities subcategory, which factored in the city’s access to services like child care and its proximity to many parks. Even in some of the furthest reaches of Calgary suburbia, it’s possible to bike into downtown on the many multi-use paths that are completely separated from roadways.

And while Calgary is known for cold winters, the city scored high in the weather subcategory because of the lack of humidity during its mild summer months and the small amount of rain it gets. Residents say reliable sunshine in the winter also makes the frigid temperatures bearable.

Richard Campbell grew up in Calgary before living around the world in cities such as London, Buenos Aires and Boston as he looked for an interesting place to settle down. When it came down to choosing a city to raise his family, he couldn’t figure out a place better than Calgary.

“With kids there’s so many distractions we face, and we can just get out to the park and put the phones away and we can actually spend time as a family,” Mr. Campbell said.

“For me and my wife, just having access to nature allows us to have that time with our kids.”

Mr. Campbell lives in the suburbs in a neighbourhood called Lake Bonavista, which he describes as especially walkable for a suburb in the city. There are large parks nearby and amenities like libraries, supermarkets and cafes that he can walk to with his family.

Mr. Campbell admits that not every Calgary suburb is as well laid out, but that even when you’re in the suburbs, downtown is not far off. He said it’s not like Vancouver, where he might have to move out of the actual city to comfortably raise his kids.

Meanwhile in downtown Calgary, 26-year-old Christopher Chiasson said the city has a strong urban culture that’s been fostered by years of boom-and-bust cycles in energy that have forced the city to be innovative.

Mr. Chiasson, who works remotely from home and also runs a not-for-profit organization that promotes walkability in Calgary, said an example of that innovation is the city’s drive to convert empty office spaces into residential apartment buildings. Calgary’s programs to financially incentivize these conversions could serve to revitalize the downtown core and add housing stock.

Mr. Chiasson moved to Calgary from the Toronto area in 2021, and he said it feels like it’s easier to get involved in the community. He said that applies to both his not-for-profit work and just everyday activities in his neighbourhood. It feels like the city is moving in the right direction when it comes to walkability and urban revitalization, Mr. Chiasson said.

He described downtown Calgary as a much more progressive space compared with the suburbs and the rest of the province, which generally leans more conservative politically.

“The exciting thing is that because the inner city feels perhaps a little outnumbered, it encourages a sense of engagement that I didn’t find in Toronto,” said Mr. Chiasson said.

1. Calgary

2. Canmore

3. Edmonton

4. St. Albert

5. Lethbridge

6. Strathcona County

7. Wood Buffalo

8. Olds

9. Okotoks

10. Lacombe

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Through nearly 56,000 mouse clicks, eight suburbs in Calgary are left in our Battle of the Burbs competition.

And this week, each quadrant crowns its representative in the final duels.

At stake is a BUMP Festival mural for the winning community, and many other prizes.

Southeast

Early on in the competition, lake communities took over the southeast. Lake Bonavista, the original lake community in Calgary, goes up against a younger, more populated cousin in Chaparral.

To get here, it's been a fight for Chaparral, which won previous matchups against McKenzie Towne by eight per cent of the vote, and Deer Ridge by 16 per cent. Then, in the quadrant semifinals, it beat Auburn Bay by just 10 votes.

Those in Chaparral wrote-in to tell us they like their chances, and love their community.

People don't move out. I have lived here since 2001 and I have had the same neighbours since that day.- Anita Fisher

"It is the close-knit family feel in this community (that makes it the best). People don't move out. I have lived here since 2001 and I have had the same neighbours since that day. I think that says a lot," wrote Anita Fisher.

Lake Bonavista flexed its way through the competition, with easy wins over Diamond Cove, Douglasdale and New Brighton, before narrowly beating Mahogany by just 39 votes.

It's an older community both in development and in population age, with fewer rental properties than the average Calgary community. It also has one of the best tree canopies in the city, according to multiple submissions.

"There are many people who grew up here and chose to return and raise their families here," wrote Laura Dickson. A pot hole or poorly timed traffic signal does not stand a chance in Lake Bonavista. The rallying cry goes out on the neighbourhood Facebook page and 311 is on it!"

Southwest

The Southwest finalists are the smallest communities left in the competition, with Discovery Ridge the smallest, in part because much of it is populated by walking trails instead of people, as it overlooks the Elbow River. So far, Discovery Ridge has eliminated Palliser, Evergreen and Aspen Woods.

Every day I see people gathered at the small community field — connecting with others and making new friends.- Kaitlyn Mainville

It's "the perfect mix of nature and community, close connections to the city and the ease of meeting others," wrote Kaitlyn Mainville. "Every day I see people gathered at the small community field — connecting with others and making new friends."

Oakridge, nestled just south of the Glenmore Reservoir, has wiped out Crestmont, Cedarbrae and Strathcona Park, before finishing off West Springs to get this far. It's an older community with the majority of its population over 50.

"Oakridge mixes green space and great trails with pump tracks and delicious eats. It's a community of retired folks with loved gardens and young families with trampolines and basketball hoops," said Claudia Moore.

Northwest

The most consistent vote-getters live in the Northwest, where Evanston, one of Calgary's newest suburbs, goes up against Silver Springs, one of Calgary's oldest, according to our definition for the contest.

Both set voting records to get here, including Silver Springs eliminating the much larger Tuscany by 262 votes, and previously handily beating Hawkwood, Hidden Valley and then winning a tight matchup against Arbour Lake.

Perched just above the Bow River and south of Crowchild Trail, Silver Springs residents wrote in by the dozens to tell us how much they love their neighbourhood.

"Our neighbourhood is the best because we have a real sense of community. We all look out for each other and are tight-knit," writes Brooke King. "So many beautiful hidden gems are in our small community."

Evanston, meanwhile, sits at the city's top, with only wheat fields touching its northern boundary. It's still under construction, but those living there say it has grown a sense of community.

It is the first community I have ever lived in that feels like a community.- Jennifer Latta

"It is the first community I have ever lived in that feels like a community or even a small town. Everyone looks out for one another," says Jennifer Latta.

Northeast

It's a battle of the Hills in the Northeast. Huntington is split down the middle by Centre Street, while Coventry Hills is bordered by Stoney Trail and Country Hills Boulevard.

In many ways, Coventry Hills is Calgary. It's almost exactly at city averages for the makeup of families and first language spoken. People even get divorced at a five per cent rate, just one percentage point lower than the city average of six.

For Sarah Bellamy, it's pretty simple why her neighbourhood is the best.

I never imagined I would have so many neighbourhood friends.- Sarah Bellamy

"The people. I never imagined I would have so many neighbourhood friends. (It's) such a giving community, whether it be advice, donations or a helping hand."

Huntington Hills is a uniquely single neighbourhood, with nearly half the population living without a partner. Households also make less money in Huntington Hills, about $24,000 less than the average Calgary neighbourhood.

Its location, close to parks and major roads, helps make it the best, according to Claudette Cloutier.

"It's proximity to Nose Hill (Park), Confluence Park and being on central transit lines and transportation corridors (makes it the best), and we are less than an hour away from the mountains."

All eight of these communities remain. Only one will get the title as Calgary's best suburb, all depending on your votes. The northwest is up first, starting today.

Voting for CBC Calgary's Battle of the Burbs is open Tuesdays to Fridays each week, with the final winner being selected on Monday, April 25. Stay up to date and get your votes in at cbc.ca/battleoftheburbs.