Wheelchairs at Heritage Park
The story of Calgary is told in a wheelchair accessible park.
Heritage Park in Calgary has a pleasant, outdoor feel with plenty of indoor historic buildings to explore. Here's some information for using your wheelchair there.
Heritage Park Historical Village is one of Calgary's most popular places both for tourists and locals.
It is not a theme park, but a living history site with historic buildings, a steam train you can ride on, a paddlewheel boat that will take you for a cruise on the Glenmore Reservoir, an antique midway with merry-go-round, ferris wheel and more, and a variety of shops and places to eat.
Where to find Calgary
The city of Calgary is located in the southern part of the province of Alberta, Canada. Alberta is the province directly north of the state of Montana in the USA.
Calgary is about 100 miles east of the Rocky Mountains.
Where to find Heritage Park
Directions for Heritage Park are very easy to get once you're in Calgary.
The park is found on the north shore of the Glenmore Reservoir, the only major standing water body in Calgary. Follow Heritage Drive for as far west as it goes and you will be in the parking lot.
Seasonal
Heritage Park is not open year round, although special events do occur there in every month. The regular season runs from Victoria Day weekend (third weekend in May) until Labour Day (first weekend in September) and then on weekends only until Thanksgiving (Canadian Thanksgiving, second weekend in October). For exact dates and opening times, check the Heritage Park website.
Accessibility Features
You can enjoy Heritage Park on a nice day without ever going indoors. There are paths and sidewalks throughout.
Upon arriving at Heritage Park, you find the main entrance prominently located at the top of the parking lot. There are handicapped parking spots.
If you are a person in a wheelchair and you require an aide, you will pay regular admission price for yourself but the aide will be admitted free.
There are no wheelchairs for rent at Heritage Park, you must bring your own.
There are wheelchair accessible wooden walkways throughout. If these are not smooth enough for your comfort, you may ask at the main entrance to be taken by bus to either the Main Street (the centre of the Park's attractions) or the S.S. Moyie, the paddlewheel boat.
The steam train is not wheelchair accessible.
The S.S. Moyie is accessible, but because there are stairs involved, you need to take the little bus to actually board the boat.
On the Heritage Park website you can download the site map. There are wheelchair symbols at every building or attraction which is accessible, and a large number of them are. There are also wheelchair accessible washrooms.
The main building at Heritage Park is the Wainwright Hotel. It is wheelchair accessible and offers food and drink for sale.
When to go
The Park is sometimes crowded on summer weekends when the weather is good. This is even more the case on the long weekends in July and August. However, during weekdays and in the off-peak months, you can visit Heritage Park at a relaxed pace without as many other people around.
Why to go
Everyone loves Heritage Park. It's in a beautiful natural setting, with a view of the Rockies, beside the reservoir (which is large enough for sailing, canoeing, and rowing). The historic buildings have been saved from demolition and represent a cross-section of local history. There are costumed interpreters and a large army of volunteers who demonstrate the almost-forgotten ways of making things. Kids love the train and the amusement park.
There's lots of grass and shade.
All in, Heritage Park is a very pleasant place to visit. Allow the whole day.
Interested in more accessible Calgary attractions? Try Accessible Fort Calgary.
