Hello Summer!

Normal Calgary summers involve kid’s summer camps, group camping trips and visits

to families all over Canada, but we still aren’t quite back to “normal” yet.

As the hot weather hit fast this past week, many families and individuals are scrambling

for things to fill their days. Here at Same Stars, we want you to stay active, keep

moving and focus on your mental health, so our team has compiled five family friendly

activities you can still doing, even with restrictions still in place!

Get the bikes out.

If you are one of the lucky ones who already owned a bike pre-Covid, it’s time to

dust of the wheels and hit the trails. If you’re interested in getting into biking, you

may have a hard time finding one, but Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji have lots –

you just have to be fast when grabbing one!

Calgary is home to the most maintained biking paths and trails in all of North America,

and we encourage you to check some out. You can find new trails on apps such as

AllTrails and Trailforks, but here are five that we love around #yyc:

1. Fishcreek Park. From flat and paved to some incline trails, Fishcreek

provides a spot to bike for everyone!

2. Peace Bridge to Edworthy Park. Follow along the Bow River for a ride that

even the tiniest of legs can handle! The breeze floating off the river makes this

ride perfect for a hot day!

3. Bowmont Park. Filled with single-track paths, this park may not be the best

for the littlest of family members, but great for intermediate kids and adults who

want to challenge themselves while still in the city.

4. Inglewood and Ramsay. Our favourite inner city ride takes you to some of Calgary's most vibrant communities. Don't forget to stop in and see our friends

at @thedandelionbynourish for brunch or lunch on their patio!

5. Nosehill Park. Ready to take it off the paved pathways? Nosehill is the

perfect place to start! A short drive from the inner city with multiple parking lots,

Nosehill is a great place to take the family. Don't forget sunscreen and bug

spray!

Hit the water.

Alberta may not be known for its white sand beaches and backyard pools, but there’s

still places you can access water to cool off and enjoy the summer heat. By taking a dip

or even running through a splash pad, you can ensure you don’t overheat!

Chestermere lake, community splash pads and the banks of the Bow River are all great

places to check out for a fun filled day with the family!

Explore the trails.

We are surrounded by some of the best hikes and easy trails in the world – get out

there and check them out! We highly recommend downloading AllTrails so you can

read up on hikes before you head out. There’s lots of family friendly hikes such as Troll

Falls, Bowness Park and Lake Angus Tea House – but you want to make sure you are

prepared, especially if you have a chronic condition or bringing someone with little legs

along. There’s nothing worse than being stuck on a trail that you weren’t ready for.

After you’ve researched your hike, don’t forget your bear spray, plenty of water, layers

and plenty of snacks. Keep it safe and keep it fun!

Heads up! Kananaskis is now requiring a purchased day or season pass to access

trails. This will help maintain garbage disposal areas, outhouse and keep our trails in

good condition with in the influx of traffic. Check online to find out how to purchase

yours before you head out of the city!

Amp up the backyard fun.

Inground pools just aren’t the usual out here! But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun

days in your own backyard. Slip and slides, sprinklers, water tables, games and shaded

areas can increase the fun without leaving the house. Places such as Canadian Tire

and Costco frequently have summer games on sale – check the flyers and bring the fun

to you, without breaking the bank.

Explore the Crown Land.

Small tourist towns such as Banff and Canmore have felt the pressure of people

needing to get away from the city, and we want to keep all their communities safe as

well! Campsites and day areas may be overbooked, but don’t let this rain on your

summer fun parade! If the number of people heading to the usual small mountain towns

seems a bit too high, try checking out some of Alberta’s Public Land Use areas this

summer. Here’s some of our favourite areas to explore that are within driving distance

for a weekend of camping away:

McClean Creek

Sibbald

Abraham Lake

Athabasca Ranch

Ghost

Note:

Starting June 1, 2021, a Public Lands Camping Pass is required. You need to

purchase the pass before you embark on your trip, and it costs $20 per person for

3 days, or $30 per person for an annual pass. You can purchase your pass

online here. This fee helps keep Alberta clean and access to the land open –

don’t be discouraged!

That’s our wrap up of great things you can do this summer, while we still have

some restrictions in place. No matter what you do, don’t forget to take care of

yourself! Outdoor activities can stress the body out – and we are here to help

when you need it! We are open all summer to provide you with the same great

Massage Therapy, Acupuncture and Manual Osteopathy – so when your muscles

are sore from your bike rides, or your back is a bit stiff from gardening, you know

who to call! Book Here!

Stay happy and healthy yyc!