5 Perks of Living Near Riley Park in Hillhurst [2024]

Riley Park is in the northeast part of Hillhurst in Calgary, and it separates the rest of the neighbourhood from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. The Hillhurst and Sunnyside areas are now considered some of Calgary's most beautiful and walkable communities. The streets and sidewalks are clean and well-kept, and new streetlights and benches have been added in the last two decades. Dozens of locally owned shops and restaurants are just a short walk from most homes for sale in Hillhurst. Residents are also close to many great parks and other outdoor amenities, including Calgary's East Village RiverWalk. Here are some of the perks of living near Riley Park.

Stroll to One of Calgary's Best Wading Pools & Playgrounds

Calgary gets some hot summer days in July and August, and residents are looking for ways to cool off every year. Riley Park has the perfect solution! The park is home to what is possibly the largest outdoor wading pool in Canada. Entire families like to go and get their feet wet or sit down in the water and splash around when temperatures climb above 30 degrees.

The pool is so large that there's an island dotted with trees in the middle of it. There's no charge to use the wading pool, and street parking is free. Public restrooms and a concession stand are nearby. The wading area is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during the open season.

The Riley Park Playground is just southwest of the wading pool area. The playground has a wide range of climbing and swinging equipment for kids and outdoor xylophones and bongos. During the summer months, University of Calgary Student Union volunteers set up a Dr. Seuss Reading Tent, where they read stories to young children.

It's Home to Calgary's Cricket League

The Calgary & District Cricket League's home base is at 12 Street NW, next door to Riley Park. The cricket pitch inside the park is one of eight venues in the city for practice and league play games, which start in July each year. The C&DLC is one of the oldest cricket leagues in Canada, founded in 1908. More than 64 teams from 21 member clubs play in organized matches during the regular season each year. The multiple leagues include men's and women's teams, Over 35 teams, Over 40 teams, Over 50 teams, T20 teams, and more.

The pitch at Riley Park is considered the main cricket venue in Calgary. Many players who started there have gone on to represent Canada in international play. Anyone can rent pitches for an hourly fee of $22.54 for adults or $2.50 for minors. The Riley Park Cricket Pitch can be reserved online and must be booked for a minimum of one hour at a time.

Easy Access to Walking Trails & Rosedale Off-Leash Dog Park

Riley Park has eight access points, so no matter where a person lives in Hillhurst, it's relatively easy to go for a walk in the park. The Riley Park Trail takes off from each of those access points. The park is a beautiful 8-hectare green space. Most of it is grass-covered, but the trail has many trees for shade during the warmer months. There are also picnic tables in Riley Park near the trail for anyone who wants to take a lunch break and eat there or relax in a lovely outdoor space.

Following the Riley Park Trail to the northeast and crossing 10 Street NW, people can bring their dogs to the Rosedale Off Leash Dog Park. It's about a five-minute walk from Riley Park to Rosedale. Dogs must be on a leash while in Riley Park, but once their owners bring them to the fenced-in area at Rosedale, they can let them off the leash to run around. Note that there is a smaller park and playground on the way to Rosedale, and dogs are not allowed in that area. A sign at the Rosedale gate indicates that it's the designated off-leash dog area!

Continuing further east, residents will find the walkable restaurants in Bridgeland-Riverside.

Surrounded by Great City Centre Neighbourhoods

Riley Park has three great neighbourhoods that surround it:

• Hillhurst
• Sunnyside
• Rosedale

Most of the Hillhurst neighbourhood is west and south of Riley Park, and the middle section of the community is primarily newer single-family homes. All the shopping and restaurants in Hillhurst are along 10 Street NW, Kensington Road NW in the south part of the neighbourhood, and 14 Street NW on the west side. There are condos near Riley Park that provide great views of the park. More condos south of Kensington allow residents easy access to restaurants and shops, and most places are only a five-minute walk away.

Homes for sale in Sunnyside are located east of Hillhurst on the other side of 10 Street NW. This is some of the most coveted real estate in Calgary. Sunnyside is the location of many luxury homes for sale in Calgary—some homes are located along the Bow River have great water views, and homeowners can see the Downtown Calgary skyline directly across the river. There are also townhomes available on the east side of 10 Street NW.

Rosedale homes for sale are directly east and north of Riley Park. There is a lot of greenery and other parks nearby, and this cute residential neighbourhood is filled with single-family and starter homes. The easy access to Riley Park and Kensington Road shopping and dining is part of the appeal of these neighbourhoods.

Kensington Restaurants & Shops

Almost every resident in Hillhurst or Sunnyside is just a 5-minute walk away from great dining, shopping, and services. Businesses along the retail/restaurant corridor on 10 Street NW include banks, hair salons, art supplies, hardware, groceries, a private music school, medical services, pharmacies, and more. More locally owned businesses line Kensington Road NW in the south part of the neighbourhood. There's even a historic movie theatre, the Plaza, in the southern part of Hillhurst, where film buffs can enjoy a cocktail and pub snacks while watching a flick.

Unique restaurants and cafes are available, and there are plenty of restaurants you can walk to in Kensington Village. Many have outdoor patio dining during the warmer months, and some even allow dog owners to bring leashed pets. Some businesses, like The Roasterie coffee shop, occasionally have live music playing outside. The Regal Cat Café sells coffee and pastries, but it also has rescue cats available for adoption! Upscale dining, Japanese noodle houses, and some of the best steak houses in Calgary are located here, along with Irish-style pubs, sushi, Mexican food, seafood, and fast food options are ready and waiting.

Riley Park and Life in Hillhurst

Hillhurst and the area surrounding Riley Park comprise a self-contained city with everything a person could desire in a community. There are many common moving mistakes homebuyers make, but moving to the Riley Park area isn't one of them. Restaurants, shopping, outdoor experiences, and the oldest cricket league in Canada are all right at your back door or within a few minutes walk. The area has been going through a revitalization period for the last couple of decades, and it shows. As you go over everything you need to know when moving to a new home, remember that Hillhurst is one of the best neighbourhoods in Calgary.

If you're interested in Calgary real estate, contact Justin Havre Real Estate Team with eXp Realty with Calgary Homes at (403) 217-0003 to get in touch with a local real estate agent who can help you find your Calgary dream home today.