James Short Park (3)

In the chilly evening of January 17, 2021 we drove to downtown Calgary with the intention of visiting three of its parks. We ended up checking only two of them. Our start point was James Short Park, three blocks away from the second park we visited, The Olympic Plaza.

James Short Park is a small green area in the heart of downtown Calgary with many benches to sit, a cupola with a clock and a small playground at the back. During the winter there is no much to do there. 

We walked around investigating everything and taking photos. At the very back of the park we found a sculpture called The Past, Present and Future by Gernot Kiefer.

The sculpture was "calling us" for silly photos! 

We did not know while at the park that the sculpture represents the progression of people through time, but I guess that Arthur had "the feeling" of it (check out his edition on the photo!) 

... Perhaps it is the Black Hole that takes us to the future (or to the past?)! 

I, Arthur liked the clock tower and its lights! and that's it!.)

At the City of Calgary you can find more information about James Short Park and here you find

a bit more about the sculpture The Past, Present and Future by Gernot Kiefer.

We had so much fun taking silly photos that we almost forgot that we still had another park to visit....but this is story for another post.

Cheers!

<3 Marina & Arthur

Walking around Barb Scott Park

On January 10th, 2021 we visited Barb Scott Park (post here) and ended up walking a few blocks around the area for a warm drink and to make time until dusk. During this short walk our eyes caught many different forms of art and beauty. We decided that this could not pass in blank, so we took pics of them, and, of course, we want to share them with the world! ;)

Few steps from Barb Scott Park we saw two new buildings with those big panels painted in the wall. 

What a nice surprise!

We were amazed that in such small area in downtown Calgary we could find so many appealing and interesting forms of art.

I, Arthur liked.... the wall paintings!

Again we enjoyed so much our exploration.

We had a great time together taking photos, videotaping and connecting with each other.

We can't wait for the next week's adventure!

Cheers!
Marina & Arthur <3

Barb Scott Park (2)

Last Sunday, January 10, 2021 we decided to visit a small park in the downtown area that exhibits a beautiful and interactive piece of art: the Chinook Arc. We drove there in the chilly afternoon. The park is very small and has an ice skating rink using most of its space now during the winter. 

The Chinook Arc calls attention for its size and lights. 

We explored the Arc trying to understand how the interactive part of it works with the cellphone and we took some photos. We then realized that in the dark it would be much nicer to see the lights and decided going for a short walk, getting something warm to drink until dusk.  

On our way to the coffee store we captured a few interesting and beautiful art around. Those we will share in another post....

When back to Barb Park we had a delight enjoying and photographing the Chinook Arc again, now showing its true colors!

                                             

I, Arthur liked...

The CHINOOK ARC had some  REALY cool features! Like waving your hand in front of thing that some-what resembles a record system type of thing! It then turns the lights red which is the impact of waving your hand and/or what ever color is in front of the record system it will change to! You just have to HOLD the button until it turns Green - ish, Blue but its mostly BLUE, then put something right below the button, then just watch the colors change as you move or the video from the phone plays or whatever the thing you put under the button!  :)     (:   !

Getting in the car, this was our view!

We want to come back again, next time at night and with two cell phones, one to project the colors and the other to take photos! ;) Good excuse to come back to Barb Scott Park.

At the City of Calgary you can find more information about Barb Scott Park and

about the Chinook Arc structure project.

Cheers!

Marina & Arthur <3

A question arose

When Arthur and I had the idea of visiting all parks in Calgary we did not think much about the logistics or the amount of parks we would end up seeing, etc.  

After writing the first post and trying to make a little plan we decided  that the best start would be to figure out how many parks are in Calgary and more or less where they are located.

Then I realized that there are parks administered by the provincial and local government as well as private or by small volunteer communities. A question then arose: Which parks in Calgary are we visiting then?

After some thinking we decided to focus only on parks that are administered by the City of Calgary. There are 72 of them listed in their website. We will start with those and meanwhile check if the list is accurate. 

<3 Cheers!

Marina & Arthur

Prairie Winds Park (1)

 

Yesterday, January 9, 2021 was a beautiful sunny day in Calgary. The temperature was about -10C and the wind was almost nonexistent. Arthur and I arrived at the park around 11:30 and started our search for the Seed Pod sculpture that brought us there. 
On our way we found a nice playground where we spun in a big spinner and went down in a zip line. 

We also loved the yellow/orange “tentacles” we found in the playground area.We ended up walking the entire park, chatting and enjoying the chilly sunny weather, but no sign of the Seed Pod. We decided then to check online and we found this at https://incipiomodo.com/portfolio/seed-pod/: 

“ A seed pod carried by the wind lands on the top of the hill of prairie winds park. Nestled into the heart of the hill, the seed will germinate and grow. The pod is a shelter to the seed of a native prairie wildflower. From anywhere in the park, the seed pod is invisible and may only be seen to those who trek to the top of the hill. A gravel path that winds around the hill leads to the pod, and from above, the silhouette of a seed pod and stem are drawn on the hill. The pod is a functional organic structure that serves as a gathering place where people can meet, sit in contemplation and relax.”

Aha! This explains it all.

Now our challenge was getting to the top of the hill that was packed with slippery snow and full of kids sledding.

From the top of the hill you can see downtown Calgary and the beautiful Rockies.

Of course we made it, after all we went to the park mostly to check out  the sculpture.

We found the seed!

The pod (concrete and granular based oval structure) was mostly covered by snow. 

Well, this gives us an excuse to go back to the park another time of the year and check out the entire structure. 

We loved everything.

The sculpture, the park, the weather and the time we spent together! 

At the City of Calgary you can find more information about Prairie Winds Park and
about the Seed Pod art project 

Cheers!
Marina & Arthur <3

First Post

The other day I was searching online for sculptures to see in Calgary. This search took me to a post about the book 111 Places in Calgary That You Must Not Miss by Jennifer Bain and Christina Ryan in which they mention the "Seed Pod", a sculpture in Prairie Winds Park. I got curious about it and decided to go there to find out.

The visit to the park made me think about how fortunate we are in Calgary in terms of parks. There are so many green areas and parks here. They are also very well maintained and safe. Some of them also exhibit beautiful and interesting art work.

I had such a good time visiting this park with my 9 years old son Arthur, that I came up with the idea of visiting, with him, every single park in Calgary, registering the moment and perhaps something interesting about the place, a curiosity, a historical fact, an art ....

Arthur bought my idea. Now we have the challenge. It won't be easy, I know, but we will try, at least!