The beautiful, classically designed single-family homes in Elbow Park, the tall, mature trees that stand proud above the houses, the breathtaking views of the Elbow River and the unmatched natural recreation opportunities are just a few of the things that define Elbow Park, one of the most desired communities in Calgary. Other characteristics are the historical feel of the neighborhood and the tight-knit, prosperous community.
Elbow Park is that perfect mix of “being close to everything” but, at the same time, not too close. The city’s downtown core is just a short drive north of the community, and McLeod Trail is only a few minutes east, offering quick access both north and south. However, the neighbourhood lies just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the more crowded areas. Instead, it holds on to a more charming, community-orientated atmosphere that makes so many people proud to call it home.
There are also two beautiful green areas that are easily accessible by people living in Elbow Park. The first one is River Park, a preferred destination for dog lovers, featuring a large off-leash area. Stanley Park is the second one, a very picturesque place, which you wouldn’t expect to find so close to the centre of a major city. As for the homes in the area, you’ll mainly find large single-family houses, most probably occupied by owners who help foster that neighbourly feeling.
The two parks above are a major source of entertainment within the community. Stanley Park, in particular, offers a variety of activities for the entire family: from picnics, to swimming, to canoeing, to tobogganing.
Avid golfers will be happy to know that one of Alberta’s most prestigious golf clubs is just a chip and a putt away. The Glencoe Club is a private golf and social club that’s highly regarded as one of the best places to play in the entire province. Memberships are difficult to come by but well worth it for those who love the game. The Elbow Park Community Association also puts on several events throughout the year, their most popular being Celebrate, a fun carnival featuring an outdoor family movie viewing.
Real Estate
Single-family homes make up the vast majority of available real estate in Elbow Park. The community is one of the oldest in the city so the homes are often large, older-style buildings. However, with the real estate boom over the last decade in Calgary, many homes have seen massive renovations or even entire rebuilds. This is a theme that has become very common among many of Calgary’s older neighbourhoods, especially those that are close to Downtown. No matter how fancy your tastes are, you should be able to find the perfect home in Elbow Park.
Rental availability in the community is extremely low, which makes the area almost inaccessible for renters. Most homes are occupied by their owners, which is sometimes good news for people looking to buy in the area as it means that their neighbours are as invested in the community as they are.
Apartments and condos are also few and far between. If you’re seeking a rental property or an apartment, try looking in some nearby communities. To the east you will find great communities like Bankview that offer more rental opportunities as well as a more equal mix of single family homes and high density properties. And to the south of Elbow Park there are communities like Kingsland and Haysboro which also offer a greater variety of properties and rental units.
Calgary is a very clean city, overall. With Elbow Park being largely residential and containing two major greenspaces, it is among the cleanest and most well-maintained communities in the city. The area is bordered by the Elbow River and doesn’t contain any major roadways, which helps keep traffic noise to a minimum.
Crime Rate
You would be hard pressed to find a more neighbourly community in Calgary. Residents tend to know not only the people next door but also the folks living down the street. Crime in this area largely consists of petty theft and other non-violent crimes. You can stay up-to-date on the latest crimes in the city with the Calgary Police Service’s crime map.
Schools
Kids attending elementary school will go to Elbow Park School which resides right within the community. Junior high and high school students will have to travel just a short distance north to get to class: Mount Royal School serves the former while the latter will typically attend Western Canada High School.
Public Transportation
From within the community, traveling by bus will be the most obvious form of public transportation. With Elbow Park being so close to Downtown, there are many bus routes with stops for commuters making their way to work. The C-Train, Calgary’s light rail transit system, runs alongside McLeod Trail to the east of Elbow Park. A short bus ride will have you at the nearest C-Train station which then offers quick transportation to all areas of the city.
Family Life
Spend a little bit of time in Elbow Park and you will quickly understand why so many people choose to raise their families in this area of the city. Two of Calgary’s finest parks are literally at the doorstep, and there’s year-round recreation for people of all ages. The community association is also very active and heavily involved in putting on family-friendly events for residents to enjoy. The old real estate saying “location, location, location” applies to Elbow Park, and so does a whole lot more.