Tag Archives: Park

“Pic of the Week”, July 30, 3032: Strömparterren—Stockholm’s oldest Public Park

Located on a small island called Helgeandsholmen is Stockholm’s oldest park, Strömparterren (1832), which has been recently renovated. You descend to the park from stairs on the Norrbro bridge. It’s not a large park but is pretty and offers beautiful views of the city, so it’s worth the effort to reach. Strömparterren is surrounded on three sides by the Royal Palace, the Parliament Building and the Royal Opera House.
It’s a great place to sit and relax, people-watch, and enjoy the scenery. The park is a popular place from which to fish and it’s possible to catch salmon, trout and pike.
The park is best known for its statue The Sun Singer (Solsångaren) crafted by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles. This statue sits on …

Karl on Jul 29, 2021 | Comments Off

“Pic of the Week”, March 26, 2021: Kungsträdgården, Stockholm

Kungsträdgården (the King’s Garden) is a popular park and public space in the center of Stockholm, not far from the Royal Palace. It dates to the Middle Ages and, just like the city in which it resides, has changed a lot over the centuries.
This place is popular with the Swedes and you’ll likely find it busy, especially in the warmer summer months when a covered stage hosts many popular events such as concerts. There are rows of benches for sitting and a variety of cafes and restaurants you can enjoy.
In the colder weather you can explore a popular Christmas market on December weekends, or a skating rink.
I was especially fond of the following fountain, by Johan Molin. It was originally …

Karl on Mar 25, 2021 | Comments Off

Prince’s Island: A popular Urban Park in Calgary

Karl on Mar 17, 2021 with Comments Off

One of the most popular places in Calgary during the (all too few) warm summer months is Prince’s Island Park. The park occupies an island in the Bow River and is situated immediately north of downtown Calgary. It’s open from sunrise to sunset (5 am to 11 pm). Several pedestrian bridges provide park access from downtown.
Prince’s Island Park was named after Peter Prince, who moved from Quebec to Calgary in 1886. Mr. Prince founded the Eau Claire Lumber Mill, and formed the Calgary Water Power Company to provide hydroelectricity to the city. Prince’s Island Park was developed as a community park after the Prince family sold the land to the city in 1947, resulting in the development of a …

Tagged Bow River, Calgary, Park, Prince's Island Park

.All Trips / California / North America / Southwestern USA

A Day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Karl on Jul 6, 2020 with Comments Off

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is found near Escondido, California, about a half hour’s drive northeast of San Diego and its world famous San Diego Zoo.
I’ve visited the San Diego Zoo Safari Park about a half dozen times in the past 35 years and really enjoyed every visit. When we first came to the park decades ago the place was known as San Diego Wild Animal Park, but in 2010 the name was changed because some people were apparently getting it and the zoo confused. This is not the zoo — it’s where you can go on a (sort-of) safari. But at either place you’ll have the chance to see a large quantity and variety of …

Tagged animals, birds, Escondido, Park, Safari Park, San Diego, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, wildlife

.All Trips / Central Canada / North America / Saskatchewan

Crescent Park, Moose Jaw

Karl on Jun 3, 2020 with Comments Off

I enjoy green public spaces and was glad to find the small prairie city of Moose Jaw had set aside a nice space for walking, playing and relaxing. The grounds of Crescent Park are nicely maintained, as you can see in these photos. Lots of birds were chirping in the trees and ducks enjoyed the parks waters.
Crescent Park was designed in 1911 and is just a block from the city’s main street. It covers over 28 acres. The park is centered on Spring Creek. A series of paths follow the banks of the creek and are part of the community’s trail system (Rotary Trails of Moose Jaw).

Crescent Park, Moose Jaw

Scattered around the park are various monuments and flower gardens – even a time …

Tagged Centotaph, Crescent Park, Moose Jaw, Park, Spring Creek

.All Trips / North America / South Carolina / Southeastern USA

“Pic of the Week”, February 21, 2020: Battery Park, Charleston

Karl on Feb 20, 2020 with Comments Off

There are many places in Charleston where you can enjoy views of the city’s Harbor and, if you turn around, get to see rows of beautiful historic homes. If you also want a place to sit and relax, and enjoy the fresh breeze, among the best spots in town is historic Battery Park

The Battery features a seawall and was constructed several centuries ago as a defensive site. The place has been witness to a lot of history. Dozens of pirates were hung here from oak trees and gallows in the early 1700s and were left to ripen on the noose as a deterrent to other pirates. During the War of 1812, the point was occupied by Fort Broughton; cannons were …

Tagged Battery Park, Charleston, Civil War, Park

.All Trips / Central USA / Colorado / North America

Colorado Chautauqua National Historic Landmark

Karl on Nov 11, 2019 with Comments Off

03 Colorado_Chautaqua_Dining_Hall. Courtesy Wikimedia and Hustvedt

The Colorado Chautauqua site was established in the late 1890s, when the Texas Board of Regents determined it needed to establish a summer school for teachers in a cool climate. The Chautauqua Movement was a powerful and popular adult educational and social force at the time. Boulder was picked as the site because the city fathers offered to supply the land, facilities and public utilities for the Chautauqua. The presence of the nearby Rocky mountains was icing on the cake, because it was rightfully considered a very healthful environment.

The Colorado Chautauqua opened on July 4, 1898, with 4,000 people attending. Boulder city leaders and Texas educators had created what was to become an important educational and social summer retreat. Buildings …

Tagged Boulder, Chautaqua, education, hiking, Park

“Pic of the Week”, August 17, 2018: Batticaloa’s Mahatma Gandhi Park

Mahatma Gandhi Park (aka ‘Gandhi Park’) is a fairly new addition to the lagoon waterfront in the heart of Batticaloa town. Built to honor the great Indian leader, the golden statue of him is definitely designed to capture your attention.

The park is popular with visitors and locals alike and is a nice place to relax. While resting on one of the benches, look for fishermen in small canoes or enjoy one of Sri Lanka’s many beautiful sunsets.

(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance slideshow)