Ranchlands Park

Ranchlands Park is in the community of Ranchlands in the northwest part of Calgary. Ranchlands Park occupies about 12 hectares in the community of Ranchlands in the northwest part of the city. The park was established when the community was developed in the 1970s.

• Pathways and trails
• Soccer fields
• Ball diamonds
• Tennis court
• Ranchlands Community Association
• Site of Ranchlands and St. Rita Elementary Schools.

Hobnob amidst the knobs and kettles. This parkland was set aside to maintain a sense of "ranch land" for residents in the surrounding community. Fortunately, the park also preserves geological features called "knobs and kettles." Much of northwest Calgary was once a field of knobs and kettles but Ranchlands Park is among the last remnants left in a natural state. The knobs, which are small, rounded hilltops and the kettles, which are depressions formed in glacial deposits when a buried block of ice, left behind by a retreating glacier melts, form a field of steeply undulating hills.

The terrain is covered with native grassland and an encroaching forest. On account of the knobs and kettles, the differences in drainage and exposure to the sun results in vegetation ranging from Rough Fescue Grassland to stands of Trembling Aspen.

Because of the lack of native grazers such as Bison, the cessation of ranching and the lack of fire, the aspen and Buckbrush are slowly encroaching on the grassland. Wildfires, along with those started by aboriginal people to promote fresh growth were once important factors in maintaining grassland. On the grassland remaining in the park you can find several species of grasses and many native wildflowers such as Gaillardia and Sticky Purple Geraniums.