Edmonton boasts several breathtaking river valley areas, parks, and plenty of opportunities to experience nature. With walking paths that go through peaceful wooded areas or along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River with a variety of recreational areas, Edmonton has outdoor space to meet every need. For both seniors and other individuals who have difficulty with their mobility, it is important to have access to outdoor space designed specifically for seniors so they can safely enjoy being outside.

Whether it’s walking on a smooth paved surface for a short distance, sitting beside a river, or observing wildlife in accessible parks, Edmonton offers options to accommodate people with mobility issues.

In this guide, we will help you find a variety of outdoor spaces in Edmonton that can accommodate seniors’ needs, including senior-friendly parks, paved paths, gardens, and wildlife viewing areas. Let’s explore them!

River Valley & Parks for Easy Walks

Edmonton’s river valley parks provide the perfect sitting area for older adults who want to enjoy the outdoors but may not feel comfortable walking on uneven ground. There are numerous parks with paved walking paths, benches, accessible restrooms, and great views in the Edmonton region. These types of parks provide the best opportunities for seniors with mobility challenges.

William Hawrelak Park

William Hawrelak Park is one of the most popular parks due to its beautiful scenery and amazing accessibility features for individuals in wheelchairs. The city of Edmonton has a wide range of parks that accommodate people in wheelchairs.

Some of the accessibility features of William Hawrelak Park include:

• The park has paved paths and walking loops for older adults to have a peaceful stroll through the park without fear of walking on an uneven surface.
• Picnic tables for families and friends to gather for a leisurely lunch or dinner.
• Easily accessible restrooms so that all visitors to the park can use the facilities without concerns for comfort.

Additionally, William Hawrelak Park has many scenic views of a lake and a wide variety of outdoor spaces that are friendly to older adults. Thus, it provides an excellent place for people to enjoy the fresh air and light exercise while appreciating the beauty of the Edmonton River Valley.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is also an accessible park in Edmonton where individuals with varying degrees of mobility can visit and have fun. The main accessibility features of Victoria Park are:

• Victoria Park consists of an easily accessible drinking area, and washrooms make it easy for visitors to remain hydrated and comfortable.
• Paved pathways for leisurely walking, though some parts may not be as even, so one should plan your path accordingly.

Hence, Victoria Park provides an excellent place for older adults to have a peaceful outdoor experience, take leisurely walks, and have a quiet place to reflect.

Gold Bar Park

Gold Bar Park is a unique and beautiful park, named after its adjacent Gold Bar Community. It is situated on the south bank river at the end of 50 street. On top of that, it is well-known for its cross-country ski trails in winter. 

Louise McKinney Riverfront Park

Louise McKinney Riverfront Park is a great place for elderly people that provide fantastic views of the river and a calming environment to enjoy nature. The park has 12.9 hectares of area with over 500m river view. It provides seniors with accessible areas to take advantage of nature outdoors:

• Easy access to the paved pathway for seniors with walkers, wheelchairs and other mobility assistance devices.
• Comfortable areas along the way where seniors can take breaks and sit down at benches in the shade.

However, it is a wonderful place for seniors who want to enjoy light exercise or simply relax in a wheelchair-friendly outdoor area with a lovely view of the river.

Borden Park & Rundle Park

Borden Park and Rundle Park are two other parks in Edmonton that offer accessible parks for seniors.

With nearly 100 years of history, Borden Park features curated artworks and floral gardens that highlight its scenic appeal. Visitors can also enjoy light recreational activities such as tennis, casual ball games, or relaxing picnics with friends and family.

On the other hand, Rundle park is situated in the northeast area with a multitude of features and facilities for seniors to enjoy nature. It has sports fields, walking trails, and a golf area. 

Therefore, both Borden Park and Rundle Park provide recreational activities for seniors with mobility limitations.

Experiencing Nature & Wildlife as a Senior

Edmonton has a variety of outdoor opportunities for seniors to breathe fresh air, experience light exercise, and connect with the natural world. With so many options available, it will be simple for those who have limited mobility to discover and enjoy their city’s beautiful outdoor locations that showcase wildlife and amazing nature scenes.

Exploring exotic animals or experiencing peaceful wetlands can all be done from wheelchair/accessible venues throughout Edmonton, making it easy for seniors to connect with nature wherever they may be in our city.

Edmonton Valley Zoo

One excellent place to experience outdoor areas designed specifically for seniors with an educational twist would be the Edmonton Valley Zoo with more than 250 animals. This wheelchair accessible park was created with consideration for seniors with limited mobility in mind by providing:

• Wheelchair-friendly Walking Paths: Most pathways within the zoo consist of paved areas to facilitate mobility for seniors using wheelchairs/walkers or other assistive devices.
• Rest Stop Benches: Along the route, you will find many areas where seniors can take a pause, snap a few photos or just sit and enjoy the beautiful gardens surrounding the Edmonton Valley Zoo.
• Wide Variety of Animals: A fantastic variety of animals including exotic birds and many kinds of monkeys, all of which can be enjoyed either in short bursts of time, or through slow relaxing walks through the zoo’s grounds.

Thus, the Edmonton Valley Zoo becomes one of the most enjoyable options to explore for seniors who seek to enjoy their local natural environment.

Elk Island National Park

Elk Island National Park is a specially designed park for seniors who enjoy spending time outdoors observing wildlife. This park, located in Edmonton, Alberta is highly accessible and provides breathtaking views of large areas of nature.

Elk Island has many waterfront trails that are accessible to seniors to allow them to explore the area safely while enjoying gorgeous views of the wetlands, lakes, and thick wooded areas.

Seniors who enjoy gentle nature experiences, such as birdwatching, photography, or relaxing on their way to and from the park will find the calm opportunities provided by Elk Island’s extensive network of trails very beneficial to them.

Other Accessible Areas for Seniors in Edmonton

Edmonton and the nearby areas offer a number of parks with accessibility features that allow seniors to enjoy nature at their convenience. For older adults who want a relaxing and beautiful place to go on quiet, easy hikes, enjoy the beauty of bird watching and have fun at the park, boardwalks and gardens are ideal. Some of them are!

Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park

Lois Hole Provincial Park is one of the best examples with gorgeous views and generous mobility-supportive trails in the city of Edmonton. 

• Flat wooden boardwalks that go zig-zag across wetland areas makes walking easy for both seniors and wheelchair users alike. 
• Benches strategically located to allow for rest and nature observation gives seniors the chance to stop and observe nature, as well as take photos of the wildlife. 
• Well-designed scenic routes that are accessible and suitable for birdwatching and taking pictures of the park’s many scenic views.

With its strong focus on accessibility, peaceful surroundings, and abundant wildlife, Lois Hole Provincial Park offers seniors with limited mobility a safe and enriching way to stay connected with nature.

St. Albert Botanical Gardens

The botanical gardens located just outside of Edmonton offer a peaceful outdoor experience and for those who need easy access through a wheelchair. The combination of amazing views, benches to sit on, and easy access to walkways will make this a fantastic place for seniors looking for a nice place to enjoy and relax for a half-day outing in and around the Edmonton area.

The St. Albert Botanical Gardens is an example of how seniors can be provided with access to beautiful, easy-to-access public spaces in a relaxed setting. These gardens should be on the list for every senior that is looking for wheelchair accessible parks and gardens in Edmonton and surrounding areas.

You can even explore: Safe Winter Outings for Seniors in Edmonton

Tips for Seniors to Enjoy Outdoor Spaces with Limited Mobility

• Transportation

Accessing Disabled Adult Transit Service will allow for wheelchair access transportation.

• Terrain Considerations

Make sure to look for parks that have clearly marked paved trails. If you’re using a wheelchair or walker, avoid hilly trails & loose gravel paths.

• Amenities

Look for parks that have accessible bathrooms. Choose a trail with seating and benches available so that you can take frequent breaks to rest.

Conclusion

Edmonton is a city that has numerous outdoor spaces for seniors to explore. For example, parks that are wheelchair accessible and that have many amenities to support seniors such as paved walking paths, benches, and accessible washrooms.

In addition to scenic River Valley walking trails, the Edmonton Valley Zoo and Elk Island National Park provide opportunities to observe wildlife. Seniors with limited mobility can enjoy all the beauty that Edmonton has to offer while planning ahead for their visits and selecting mobility-friendly parks with accessible washrooms, paved walking paths, and resting spots. 

However, the goal of creating outdoor spaces for Seniors is to improve health, foster connection with nature, and to create opportunities for memorable outings. 

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