A public market.  An active learning park.  A petting zoo.  A working farm.  A top-notch restaurant.  An aquaponics facility.  Country-side bliss.  Live events.  Any one of these activities would be a family-fun destination in itself.  But combined in a single location?  That’s awesome!  That’s Granary Road!

Located 5km off highway 22X, between south Calgary and Bragg Creek, this barn-like multi-functional edifice could hardly be more perfectly located.  Positioned in the Foothills amidst rolling farmlands with the nearby Rockies as a dramatic backdrop, Granary Road is fast becoming a must-see attraction for locals and tourists, as well as a magnet for school field trips.  But be prepared: it’s not a pop-in convenience store, it’s a destination!  There is a little something for everyone of all ages in the family to enjoy.

Having opened its doors in late 2017, Granary Road offers spaces for families to hang out or friends to connect around fun outdoor activities, a selection of fabulous food offerings, or a variety of market-style vendors.  Open year-round, their winter operating hours are limited to weekends only (Friday through to Sunday).  However, there is no doubt that their 6-day-per-week summer program, kicking off in May, will be jam-packed with activities for guests from the time their barn doors roll open at 9.30am until closing time at 5.30pm.

Inside the extensive barn-like structure visitors can sample and enjoy produce and product from a selection of vendors.  Central to the culinary operations are the Salt Box Kitchen, Bakery & Bar, as well as a newly-opened outlet of the Calgary-loved Holy Grill on the mezzanine floor.  Pizza, pasta and a range of Italian delectables are available from Soffritto.  Luc’s offers meats, cheeses and charcuterie condiments.  A spread of farm-style fare is on display from the local A Little Taste of Country.  There are perogies, ice creams, a variety of vegan offerings, fresh fruit and vegetables and a soon-to-be-opened butchery.  Gifts, clothing and art are also amongst the variety of vendors selling their treasures.

The facility offers generous seating, both indoor and outdoor patio options (in season), where you can dine, connect or relax.

Perhaps you are looking for corporate, training, seminar or event-hosting locations?  Granary Road can make it happen.  They provide a one-stop-shop for hosting your event, providing entertainment, coordinating activities and offering dining and support services.  You would do well to contact their Marketing and Events Director to explore the diverse options that this Can-Do Team can offer you.  From team building events in the active learning park to the 100-person restaurant, the smaller 40-person conference space, or their newly-fabricated events tent they will have something that will meet your requirements.  Even the new pergola that is being constructed on the site for multi-purpose use is a great option for special events, even for use as a chapel.

The extensive active learning park provides a dozen themed exhibits that allow kids to explore, learn and dissipate oodles of energy.  Spread across 36 acres, incorporating an extensive pond and interconnected by 3.5km of pathways, the area has a distinct farm-style theme-park feel to it.  Being a working farm, their growing assembly of animals includes goats, alpacas, a horse, a donkey, sheep, peacocks, chickens, roosters, turkeys, bunnies and pot-belly pigs. 

The park comprises 12 existing pods with another two being added before the opening of the summer 2019 season, one of which – rumour has it – is a new low-line zipline!  Some of the awesome existing pods include the frog pond fun pad, orchard tree house, arachnid web, ant farm adventure, wetland discovery and beehive honey comb.  An admission fee is required to access the learning park.  Seasonal pass options are also available to guests.

More exciting news is that in 2019 the sizeable garden centre will become home to an aquaponics facility that will be run in conjunction with the University of Lethbridge.  This will provide the market and restaurant with farm-to-table fresh produce.  In addition, some of the space will be allocated to an Alberta flower market where plant species, native to Alberta, will be grown and on display.

The word on the street and in the country is that possible camping facilities are also on the implementation horizon, making this a massive draw-card for any road trip break-aways for families or passing tourists!

To some prospective guests accessing Granary Road might seem a little far out of town, it’s worth noting that a shuttle company can arrange transport to events from Shawnessy Station at minimal cost per person.  Contact Granary Road for suggestions and options.

There is no shortage of events that are being planned at this extraordinary venue as we head into the busy spring and summer seasons.  Goat yoga, murder mystery dinner theatre, live entertainment, perogy-making classes and an array of festivals are just some of the planned activities.  Consult the events calendar for a sneak peek into what’s on their hosting menu.

Even as the winter thaw commences and the promise of spring begins to lure us out of our homes, you will want to find reason to pile the family – or your work colleagues! – into the car and explore what Granary Road has on offer.  We suspect you will enjoy what you encounter and will make this a new seasonal destination that you’ll want to return to again and again with family, friends and out-of-town visitors!

This article is purely a voluntary publication issued by “I Am Calgary” and has not been, in any way, sponsored by Granary Road.