Wilbert McIntyre Park

It might not look like much, but with its location (just a block removed from Whyte Avenue and surrounded by theatres, theatres galore), this park is a hub for festival mingling anytime of year, and especially great in summer.
This place is transformed during Ice on Whyte. It’s full of intricate ice carvings and even an ice slide (don’t worry, it’s not that dangerous — I think). Summertime hits and it’s surrounded by vendors and all kinds of partying Fringe animals.
If you’re planning a picnic, this might not be your first pick. It’s a bit small and not particularly scenic, but don’t write it off completely because some pretty cool stuff happens here.

Lauren is right, this place is almost entirely different in the summer. In the winter it looks very depressing but you almost won’t recognize it when the months get warmer.
I had a little picnic here once, and it was fun. It does get a big crowded during the summer. That’s when you realize how small and overcrowded the place can be at times.

This used to be known as Gazebo Park. In fact, many people still call it that, because of the large gazebo that resides in it. It is located right next to the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market and near the Strathcona branch of the library. Most of the time this is a place where people sit around and enjoy the nice weather, usually after visiting one of the aforementioned locations on the weekend. It is also often used for rallies and demonstrations, and plays host to some festivals like the Fringe. It’s a great location for foot traffic when the Farmer’s Market is happening, but otherwise it tends to be quiet.

Wilbert McIntyre Park isn’t that big, and it may seem a little dead in the winter, but it’s often bustling during the summer. It’s the little courtyard right next to the Strathcona library, named after Dr. Wilbert McIntyre, a medical doctor and first member of Parliament from Alberta.
I often like to come here in the summer after a visit to the library, and just read my book in the shade. There is a gazebo and a few benches available, but sometimes sitting on the grass is just as good.
This is also the site for many events like the Fringe festival, and this past summer I managed to catch a tour with the Doctors Without Borders display they had there for awhile.
When there’s no event taking place, you’ll usually see people relaxing in the sun or various clubs and groups having a casual meeting on the grass. Unfortunately all of this park’s life seems to happen in the summer.