Staying Active in Cranston
What was once just a new community finding its personality, Cranston has become an ideal area for nature lovers and a fantastic family community that provides numerous outdoor activities for active families. In the heart of Calgary’s southeast, this master-planned community offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from organized sports to a massive trail system to incredible Cranston homes for sale.
Century Hall Park
The centre piece of Cranston is the 7.25-acre Century Hall Park. The park hosts numerous family activities throughout the year. The best attendance is for the Annual Stampede Breakfast. However, everyone enjoys the Christmas Light display and Santa’s annual visit as well as the summer perennial and annual flower displays, which are complemented by boulevard displays throughout the community. The first Cranston Santa Run & Walk was hosted in December 2019, and based on the turnout, it will continue to be a popular mid-winter event.
Skating
For skating enthusiasts, there is an outdoor hockey rink that is maintained by the Cranston Resident’s Association. It hosts an annual 3-on-3 hockey tournament fundraiser every winter in addition to regular skating and hockey lessons. The tree-lit winter display creates a nighttime wonderland to skate, or walk, through.
The community association programs include tennis and basketball lessons for all ages. Other popular events have included Riverstone’s Pub in the Park, hosting the City of Calgary’s Mobile Skatepark and the community’s Canada Day Celebration.
Nature
For nature enthusiasts of all ages, there is an extensive trail system that is snowplowed in the winter to provide beautiful community walks. Since Cranston is bordered by Fish Creek Park on the west side, the walk along the ravine edge offers unparalleled views of the river valley as well as the majestic Rocky Mountain range in the distance. The paved pathway is an excellent 2-mile track for walking, bicycling or inline skating. Cranston is a great place to watch the spring runoff safely perched above the river valley as it heads down the Bow River. In the summer, the river valley is a beautiful place to bird watch or search for frogs, bugs and snakes. The river valley is a year-round draw for nature lovers and budding nature lovers. From muddy river banks to isolated backwater ponds, there are hours of fun and adventure to be discovered in your backyard when you live in Cranston. Interested in looking at Cranston homes for sale?
More Nature
Back up on the river valley ravine, the Cranston trail system is connected to the Rotary Mattamy Greenway Pathway system, which is 138 km long and connects 55 communities in Calgary. One of the most popular routes on the pathway system is the Cranston Ridge Pathway. The city will provide you with instructions on how to navigate the various pathways within the trail system on the Calgary Parks Foundation website. If you are feeling adventurous, you can take the paved trails all the way into Rotary Nature Park – a 40-acre natural area with engineered wetlands, ponds, wildflowers and native plant species which attract waterfowl and upland birds. Several gazebo shelters and benches provide protection from the elements or rest throughout the park.
Cranston is clearly a nature lovers community. If you need any inspiration to get outdoors, hop across Deerfoot Trail to the massive, new Mountain Equipment Co-op Calgary South store in Seton. Dreams of running, fitness, biking, hiking, camping, climbing and water sports will be dancing through your head in no time.
When you’re ready to hit the back country big time, you will be happy that Cranston is situated at the intersection of Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail – two main arteries that take you out of town faster than you can attach your bike rack to your vehicle.
Just Outside the City
If you head west, you will ultimately hit the Rocky Mountains. But, along the way, you could take a detour to Bragg Creek, Kananaskis Country, and Longview – the southern entrance to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. There is no shortage of backcountry skiing, ice climbing, horseback riding and hiking available to Alberta residents in these recreation areas – specially set aside for our enjoyment by provincial and federal governments of the past.
If you head south of Cranston, down Deerfoot Trail to Okotoks, you’ll find old farm communities offering homemade pies and ice cream. The Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site and the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller will make you want to hike around the valley looking for fossils and bones. Go through Turner Valley and explore the Sheep River area of K-Country. This is one of the less busy parts of the Rocky Mountains. Less well known but just as majestic and awe-inspiring. On your way back to Cranston, stop in at the Bar K-C Ranch and pick up a load of Alberta history – not to mention a sandwich or two. After all your adventures, you should have worked up a hearty appetite. Finding the inspiration to get outdoors is outside your doorstep when you live in the family-friendly community of Cranston.
Our experienced and knowledgeable real estate professionals are excited to share every detail with you if you’re ready to learn more about this fantastic southeast Calgary community. Talk to one of our Calgary real estate experts today to find out more about Cranston Homes for Sale!
