Growing up in Lethbridge

From a young age, I can remember waking up to the sun washing over the green and gold speckled coulees with the view of the mountains veiled by the fog of distance. I was born in Lethbridge and have always enjoyed the postcard-ready scenery that the city and surrounding area offer. Aside from the beautiful views, Lethbridge also offers lots of fun outdoors around the city. All it takes is to find it is to go out and look! I loved to go outside and explore the city’s playgrounds. It is a well-known fact that kids love to play and let their energy out, and as a child, I was no different. Nicolas Sheran Park and Henderson Lake Park are two of the best playgrounds in Lethbridge. Both are big and offer kids many ways to play, explore, and use their imagination. Both parks are on beautiful grounds that are the perfect spot for a picnic if you feel like packing a lunch; if not, both have food services nearby.   For something a bit more out in nature and on the wild side, I always loved heading down to the River Bottom, where there are lots of parks and natural trails along the Old Man River. With a rattlesnake-themed playground and plenty of picnic spaces, this park is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon! It is always fun to get some cold water involved on a hot day. Gyro Spray Park is a great place to bring the kids. Tucked behind the Nicolas Sheran Leisure Centre, it is not as out in the open as the fountains in Galt Gardens downtown. This hidden gem has all the water-related activity that you could think of, from a mushroom-inspired fountain to elephant-shaped water guns; and conveniently located next to a Dairy Queen, it is the perfect place to go on a hot day. As I got older, I loved visiting the many picturesque getaways into nature within the city. One of my personal favourites was going to the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. I enjoyed exploring the different paths and trails in the river valley, watching the wildlife, and skipping stones into the Old Man River. If you have the time to pack lunch, it is a fantastic place to spend the day! A bonus is the Helen Schuler Interpretive Nature Centre. It is a great place to take your family with lots of hands-on displays and exhibits for all ages. Animal lovers can even see a small snake and gecko inside the centre.

Once I was no longer a kid, I started to appreciate the city's art and culture. You can find an incredible number of local public art displays when walking around downtown and around the city. Trips to Casa or the Southern Alberta Art Gallery became some of my favourite outings to see local art. For a more historical experience, I would go to the Galt Museum to look at their indoor exhibits in the discovery hall and outdoor displays in the outdoor learning spaces.

Now, returning to Lethbridge after my first year of university, I love checking out all the new and well-known local businesses in town. Even when taking a tour of local boutiques downtown, thereis always a new shop to be explored. Whether it be cafés like the Penny Coffeehouse (of which I have fond childhood memories), or restaurants like Café Verde, there's something delicious waiting for you.

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