One of the highlights for summer in our family is eating meals outside while enjoying the warm summer breeze. I love picnics because they’re easy meals. Make everyone’s favourite sandwich (peanut butter and jelly is a fave here!). Throw in some snacks veggies, chips, and fruit and off you go. Boom – mealtime solved. Here are five of our favourite picnic spots in Edmonton!
1. Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park
When you visit the Edmonton Valley Zoo, you see signs for this park. And if you’ve never actually visited the park, you’re missing out! It has all the great features you’d expect from a river valley park, but with a few newer additions. Your kids will love exploring the natural playground areas. There are also plenty of picnic tables and lots of wide open spaces that would make for a great picnic spot on a blanket. There are even a handful of picnic sites here that allow alcohol consumption under the city’s new pilot project.
2. Alberta Legislature Grounds
Enjoy a picnic in the shadows of one of Edmonton’s most iconic buildings — the provincial legislature! The grounds are beautiful all year long, but especially lovely during the summer with the meticulously maintained flowers and gardens. Your kids will love splashing and wading around in the fountains. This is my go-to for picnic spots in Edmonton.
3. Beaumaris Lake
I love this Edmonton picnic spot because the wildlife is abundant. Bring along a pair of binoculars for extra fun. You’ll find all sorts of birds, ducks, squirrels, and of course, geese. There are lots of grassy, beautifully shaded spots around the lake to enjoy your picnic. Have the kids bring their bikes, too, and they’ll enjoy riding on the path around the lake. Note: The city is doing a rehabilitation project around the lake, but there is still plenty of space to rest and relax.
4. Jackie Parker Park
This Edmonton park is a summer oasis for the whole family and makes for a great picnic spot, but also a great place to spend an entire summer day. Sure, it’s quite often very busy, but for good reason! With one of the largest playgrounds in the city (plus a separate toddler playground), a huge spray park, an off-leash dog area and a beautiful lake, you’ll have a whole day of fun here!
5. Millennium Park – St. Albert
Located along the Sturgeon River, Millennium Park is an idyllic location for a picnic. There are great multi-use trails perfect for enjoying a stroll or bike ride post-picnic. Or you could take a walk into town to grab an after-picnic treat. The Sturgeon River is a popular spot for kayakers so you can enjoy watching people paddle by while you eat lunch. My young kids love racing across the bright red footbridge.
