The home of a wide variety of birdlife and other wildlife, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was created in 1929. More than 270 species of birds have been recorded here, as well as 21 species of mammals (including beavers), two amphibians, two reptiles, seven species of fish, and 27 species of butterflies. It is home to a long beaver dam maintained by industrious (and non-confrontational) beavers.
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Read More »
Discover the beauty of Nose Hill Park, one of Canada’s largest municipal parks. From grasslands to treed areas, it’s home to diverse wildlife and plant species.
June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. A day to explore the history and cultures of the indigenous peoples of this land, to join in celebrations and memorials.
And what observance would be complete without books? there is more and more call to write books with diverse characters from all walks of life. Different races and backgrounds, disabilities, neurodiversity, and more.
Books for National Indigenous Peoples Day Read More »
Well, I’ve been prepping for this for a few months, and the day is finally here! The first release in my brand new Parks Pat Mysteries series. Unlike most of my books which are set in the USA, these ones are set locally, in and around Calgary, Alberta. And that means that they are full of beautiful scenery, history, and Canadiana.
It’s a walk in the park: Out with the Sunset and other new releases Read More »
Hazard of the Hills is set in Edworthy Park.
Created in 1962, Edworthy Park has been around for a while. There are picnic shelters and BBQ pits, plenty of washrooms, playgrounds, and trails. The trails are very popular for mountain bikers as well as walkers. The paved pathways join up with the Bow River Pathway and run all the way downtown to Princes Island Park and farther east all the way to Valleyview Park. It is hoped that one day a path will run from Edworthy to Haskayne Park, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, and through to Cochrane.
Skimming over the Lake is set in Elliston Park.
Elliston Park is home to Elliston Lake, the second largest body of water in Calgary. There are a couple of walking loops around the lake, an off-leash dog area, playgrounds, including an accessible or inclusive playground, picnic tables, a rose garden, and a sundial. Calgary’s Globalfest Fireworks competition is held in Elliston Park each year.
Immersed in the View is set in Valleyview Park.
While Valleyview is the tinniest of the parks so far, it packs a punch, with a pond, a playground, a children’s splash park, beach volleyball courts, baseball diamond, and soccer field, along with a few park benches and picnic tables. There was also a fire pit there for a few months earlier in the year, though it has disappeared again.
Dark Water under the Bridge is set in Ralph Klein Park.
The Ralph Klein Park is much smaller than the previous two parks in the series, but this little place packs a punch with manmade wetland features, public art installations, a community orchard of apple and pear trees, a unique playground with a zip line, a small platform where children can dip for tadpoles and minnows, and an education center.
Long Climb to the Top is set in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
In 2006, the children of Alberta rancher Neil Harvie sold 3,246 acres of land to the Government of Alberta to conserve the land, fulfilling the vision of their father. At that time, I was working as a legal assistant with Andy Crooks, the family’s lawyer, and had an insider’s view as plans for the park rolled out. I was involved in and present at the park opening in 2011.
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park Read More »
Out with the Sunset is set in Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Fish Creek Provincial Park was established in the Fish Creek valley in southern Calgary in 1975 and is the second largest urban park in Canada, featuring over 100 km of trails for walking, running, and biking.
Fish Creek Provincial Park Read More »
