Tom Campbell’s Hill

Nice place to visit and walk before the sun comes up. Only problem — all the dogs and their owners… Nicely preserved bit of natural grassland, nice view of downtown and the river loop. Surprisingly quiet.

Old Tom Campbell had a hill, e-​i-​e-​i-​o. And on that hill there was a dog park, e-​i-​e-​i-​o. With a pup woofing here and a pooch running there. Here a pup, there a pooch, everywhere a pup and pooch. Old Tom Campbell had a hill, e-​i-​e-​i-​o.
Did you know there’s a park on top of that hill over by the zoo and Telus Spark? I had no idea. I’ve driven round the bend in the road so many times, knew the hill was there, but hadn’t thought to look at what’s on top. Well, I discovered it today as I was out exploring.
Apparently, its known as Old Tom Campbell Hill because for a good chunk of the 1900s, there was a big billboard on top of this hill for Tom Campbell Hats. Well, there’s no billboard here anymore, but there is some mighty pretty grassland and a nice view of downtown.
I’m a bit in love with this one pathway lined with trees. It’s straight as an arrow and leads up to an interpretive area. It’s just begging for a wedding on a sunny summer day when those trees are in bloom… you’d just need to keep an eye out for any extra friendly dogs ;).
You could also get a pretty gnarly afternoon of tobogganing down one of the sides of the hill if there were any snow on the ground… or just enjoy the woosh on wheels. I’d say roll down it, but being an offleash dog park, I’m not sure that’s the cleanest of ideas. Who knows what’s hiding under some of that longer grass?
April Underdog Challenge: ³⁄₃₀

This is one of the best off-​leash parks in the city. It’s at the top of a hill and affords for amazing views of the city. In the summer, it’s lush and green. There’s an interpretive exhibit that you can stop off at and learn a little about the history of the area. There are trees, hills you can run up & down to exercise your dog. It’s not fenced but as long as you are in control of your dog that shouldn’t be a problem… they’d have to go barreling down a pretty substantial hill to get in any sort of trouble.
Parking is a little limited but there are spots on the street as well. I’ve never had issues parking and I’ve been on Saturday & Sunday mornings, which are usually peak times.
I don’t live in the area, so I don’t go to this park as often as I’d like, but it’s always a favourite when I know I’m going to be close to Bridgeland.
(Yelp Kicks Butt Challenge ⁶⁄₁₀)