Parks & Open Spaces

NEW RINK NOW OPEN! New Rink Image

Town Parks crews have created a new public outdoor skating rink near downtown. It is now open for use!

  • Location: across from FCSS (Second Ave and Second St W)
  • Capacity: approx 50 people (under current COVID guidelines)
  • Use: skating only (no hockey/shinny)
  • Features: benches, ample parking nearby, close to Historic Downtown
    AHS guidelines apply:
  • face coverings recommended on and around the rink
  • keep 2m from those not in your household
  • no shinny or hockey
  • please limit skate to 1 hour when rink is busy


PARKS SERVICE UPDATE

Parks crews are adjusting to the restrictions in place as part of the Town’s COVID-19 response: Staff numbers have been reduced and we’ve modified our maintenance priorities as a result. We’re still taking good care of Cochrane’s public spaces, but things may look a little different than they used to. Please be patient as we adjust and do our best to keep Cochrane safe and clean.

Cochrane proudly maintains approximately 9% of its land as parks and open spaces. Residents and visitors enjoy nearly three dozen parks (many with playgrounds), summer fishing in trout ponds, outdoor skating in winter, and over 70 kilometers of pathways all year round. Parks and Open Spaces also maintains three cemeteries, many sports fields and dog off-leash areas.

Pathway update (June 27, 2019)

Recent storm damage may have created hazards on Cochrane’s paved and shale pathways; please report any concerns or hazards you see.

There are also unmaintained, unapproved trails on hillsides, river banks and in various open areas. These trails are not part of Cochrane’s pathway system and are not monitored. Use of these trails is not recommended at anytime — they are not maintained and may be unsafe. 

For your own safety, always obey barricades, stay well back from moving water, and do not use unmarked trails. Check for work updates: cochrane.ca//Construction


Disc golf!

Check out Cochrane’s nine-hole disc golf course in Riverfront Park.


Off-leash dog parks

There are four off-leash parks in Town, totaling 6 hectares.


No gardening or other activity allowed on Town land

Cochrane takes pride in its parks, pathways and open spaces. No gardening or other activity is allowed on Town land unless authorized. This helps Town staff preserve the natural beauty, native elements and overall integrity of these areas. Property owners who appear to be gardening or otherwise encroaching on a Town park, pathway or open space will be required to remedy the situation at their own expense.

Not sure if you’re encroaching? If it’s outside your fence, it’s Town land.

Encroachment activities include (but are not limited to):

  • Planting/garden add-ons of any sort
  • Mowing/spraying/fertilizing grass
  • Dumping of organic & inorganic material
  • Erecting fences/rock walls etc.
  • Storage of vehicles/equipment    
  • Placement of composters/sheds/bird houses

Memorial/Dedication Benches and Picnic Tables

If you would like to honour a loved one, family or group with a bench or picnic table in a Town park, you can purchase a piece of park furniture and have it installed by Town of Cochrane Parks staff, complete with bronze plaque. Find out more or apply.

Department staff

The Parks and Open Spaces team is made up of nine staff members, with approximately 27 additional seasonal staff each summer.  We also partner with community volunteers and developers to establish and maintain new parks and public spaces