Fish Creek Provincial Park

I feel very fortunate to have so much nature around Calgary; even as the city has grown, it seems like we still have plenty of wild spaces to explore. Fish Creek Provincial Park is actually part of the city, so we have our own protected wilds close at hand. There are a variety of ecosystems within this park, from dense forest to marsh and wetlands to grasslands and plains. It is a huge area, and one of my favorite spots is the pond pictured below. It is a good place to catch a breather and look for some wildlife, and since you're still close to the pathway, it's a great pit stop if you're out for a run or a bike ride.