AN ODE TO OUTDOOR LIVING IN THE CITY

Getting out in nature is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Luckily there are plenty of ways to live your best life outdoors in Charlottetown throughout the year. Whether it’s laying out a picnic in one of the city’s historic squares, attending a yoga class on the waterfront or snowshoeing through the wooded trails in Victoria Park, the options for embracing outdoor living are pretty well endless—and all vital to the chill vibe we know and love.

THE LEGACY GARDEN - A must-visit for gardeners and those interested in urban agriculture, the Legacy Garden backs onto the Confederation Trail and is located behind the PEI Farm Centre at 420 University Avenue. This impressive 8.5-acre expanse of land is home to a 150-plot community garden, 2-acre goodwill garden, accessibility garden, sunflower garden, two architecturally stunning urban beehives, and more. It’s a sweet escape in the midst of mid-town Charlottetown, and not far from one of our coolest breweries, Upstreet Craft Brewing.

CONNAUGHT SQUARE - If you’re sight-seeing in the downtown core with kids, Connaught Square might just be the perfect place to take a break and let them scamper about. This darling green space, located at 60 Richmond Street on the west side of downtown, has large trees, asphalt pathways, and plenty of playground equipment for the little ones to enjoy.

CONFEDERATION LANDING PARK - This 6-acre green space is nestled in amongst the hustle and bustle of Charlottetown’s waterfront. Its sprawling spaces are perfect for soaking up the sun’s rays, enjoying an ice cream cone from the nearby COWS shop, doing outdoor yoga in the wintertime, watching the boats come and go from the harbour, and (literally) stopping to smell the roses.

VICTORIA PARK - The city’s crown jewel of green spaces is an idyllic place to laze in the grass or work up a sweat. This 40-acre park is located along the western end of the city’s waterfront, and features a lengthy waterfront boardwalk, 7-acres of quiet wooded area and trails, eight lit tennis courts, three ballpark diamonds, a skateboard park, an accessible playground, swimming pool, and a very popular splash pad. The Kiwanis Dairy Bar along the parkway offers a tasty pit stop on those steamy summer days.

THE JOSEPH A. GHIZ MEMORIAL PARK - Named in honour of a former PEI premier, this east-end park is located between Kent and Grafton Streets. It offers a playground, basketball court, swing set, fountain, a gazebo, benches, walking trail, and various gardens. The Confederation Trail also runs through the park and is a popular setting off point for cyclists and walkers heading uptown or further west/northeast along the trail.

QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK - This riverside park is located uptown, on the west side of the city where North Queen Elizabeth Drive and Spruce Street intersect. Just a short drive or bike ride through Brighton from downtown, the park includes two baseball diamonds, a soccer pitch, a gazebo, and a playground with jungle gyms, swings, and more.

HILLSBOROUGH SQUARE - Hillsborough Square is located on the east side of the city, where Hillsborough and Richmond Street intersect. Over the years, the park has served many purposes including as a pasture for livestock. Today, it is home to a playground, mature trees (perfect for reading a book under), and asphalt paths that criss-cross the square.

OLE KING'S SQUARE - This green space may have fewer amenities to offer its visitors than the other three downtown squares, but it provides a change of scenery for those strolling the city. And if you need to take a rest, check out the Square’s five oversized bronze chairs, which honour Mark Butcher, a local furniture maker from the 1800s.

ROCHFORD SQUARE - Located across from the provincial buildings on Rochford Street, this 4-hectare park is one of four that define the downtown core. Its Victorian-style garden, walking paths, ornate flower beds, and benches make it a welcome respite for those exploring the downtown by foot.