Central Memorial Park — Attraction in Calgary

Lovely English style garden park with the oldest sandstone library in Alberta (circa 1902). The library was built by the Andrew Carnegie Library foundation just after the turn of the 20th century. (See Wikipedia for more info.) He built libraries around the world where none existed to bring free education to everyone. This beautiful park was donated in perpetuity to Calgary and later became the first provincial WWI (and later wars) commemorative memorials. It's twin 1905 fountains (modeled after ones In London, Eng) had their underground construction completed but nothing after that. Likely they were never completed likely due the lack of funds which could not be later funded due to looming WWI costs. The underground pipes for the fountains had been laid but we're later covered over. (The downtown Glenbow Museum has marvelous pictures of it under construction then.) The fountain structures were finally dug up, the original design reconstructed and the two fountains were turned on some 95 years after they were started. Well worth the visit during warmer weather as it is beautiful to watch their choreographed 'dance'. Although the park is only one square block it is a gorgeous respite amid the concrete and steel of the edge of downtown Calgary.

It was an idyllic space until the fed & prov gov'ts decided to locate a drug consumption site just across the street from this once-treasured gem in Calgary in 2017. In the process it and the once peaceful, thriving Beltline residential and small local business neighborhood have become a nightmare of drug addicts, shooting up drugs, leaving used needles, human excrement, and condoms everywhere and anywhere - and the obvious to anyone who thought about the consequences - invasion of drug dealers. They can be found there any time of the day but mostly at night. The addicts and dealers roam the neighborhood during the evenings and overnight breaking into cars, businesses, and residences to steal and trash anything they can to feed their addiction.

So, once, I would have given this beauty of a park 5 stars. Not now! The park is still worth seeing. The beautiful small library building is an architectural gem. See it before the gov't's actions further destroy it and the neighborhood, all just so they can shout with false pride, how caring they are (they aren't!). But see it only during the day!

If there is a public event going on there then feel free to bring children but watch the ground carefully for used needles and a LOT of excrement, animal and so-called human!

A real problem and a damn shame - thank the government for both. Your tax...

Beautiful park used as a Victorian garden then turned the oldest library in Alberta , I believe in 1823. Alexander Calhoun was the head librarian for 36 years. A new library was built on 14th St SW near River Park and was named after him in the 1980s . It still stands today and has been renamed. Look for it just south of the Firehall .The Central Memorial library has a beautiful solitary soldier at its entrance in memoriam to those lost in War. Another on horseback lines to the back of the elegant sandstone mansion. The park is well cultivated with flower gardens and indigenous conifers and there are always some Geese, squirrels, magpies crows and even hares protected and happy on the grounds. There is also a beautiful and historical artwork in bronze on the path leading to the southeast corner . It gives a brief history of the park and library. The library is more traditional in feel with a quiet reserved feel . Well lit with welcoming elegant furnishings and lighting. It's like being in a fancy 19th century home. The lay out of the books is well thought out with staff picks laid out in an enticing and interesting manner. They always seem to have the latest in both fiction and non fiction. The children's section is small but ripe and fruitful for little minds. This particular library though in my opinion is more suited for those seeking a quieter atmosphere than that of some of the sister locations. Laptops can be signed out with an an active library card . The main desk is always well staffed with librarians and staff and they are always happy to help.There is security stationed at the front entrance although it is in a very safe area and although reassuring to see, I would never expect to see any trouble in this park or library . I recommend checking out the art displays and taking a leisurely tour of this Grande Dame of the...

On my Thursday visit to Central Memorial Park, I found the trees to be performing their duties in a consistently satisfactory manner. Their bark, while unremarkable in hue, showed commendable resilience and texture, and the root structures appeared firmly committed to the ground, showing no signs of half-hearted attachment. The leaves displayed a disciplined approach to shading, arranging themselves with enough density to provide intermittent relief without being so generous as to create complacency. The grass contributed by existing in both green and slightly less green patches, providing a spectrum that reminded me nature is rarely uniform, but always earnest.

The avian population was admirably diligent, producing sounds that were recognizably birdlike without venturing into unnecessary flamboyance. The paths performed their navigational duties with reliability, encouraging linear movement in an environment where one might otherwise be tempted to wander. Overall, the park’s elements combined with quiet professionalism, delivering an experience that was neither excessive nor insufficient, but measured and unwavering—qualities that, in the context of a Thursday, felt entirely...