Kelsey’s Trans Canada Trail: A Walk Through Cochrane’s Off-Leash Path

Written by Kelsey Olsen 

I’ve lived in Cochrane, Alberta, for about five years now and one of my favourite parts of town is Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park. It’s a beautiful stretch of the Town of Cochrane section of the Trans Canada Trail where I walk my dogs nearly every day. What makes this park so special is that it runs right along the Bow River and happens to be one of the best off-leash areas I’ve ever found. It’s not just a small fenced-in field. It’s a long, scenic path beside the river that gives dogs and their humans plenty of space to roam.  

Funny enough, it was only recently that I discovered the Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park was actually a portion of the Trans Canada Trail. I’ve walked that trail so many times and didn’t even realize. Seeing the Trans Canada Trail signage made me look at my favourite little trail in a new light. I’d always thought of the TCT as a trail that was far away from me, in more wild places. The fact that it was such an important part of my everyday routine made me appreciate it even more.  

Photo credit: Kelsey Olsen

The off-leash dog park experience 

I love taking my dogs on all sorts of trails, and they are perfectly happy walking on leash, but a huge appeal of Jim Uffelmann Memorial Park is the ability to let my dogs roam free without having to worry. My dogs burn off all of their extra energy, and I get to enjoy a scenic walk along the Bow River. The park has many garbage cans and doggy bags along the trail, making it easy to clean up after your pets. Plus, the fact that the trail runs perpendicular to the river gives your animals many opportunities to drink water, or take a dip on hot days. It’s a really family-friendly park and a perfect place for both locals and visitors.  

Local connection and community 

Another thing I’ve grown to love about this trail is not only the fact that I’ll sometimes run into familiar faces on my walk, but there are also friendly travelers that I’ve wound up chatting with. The park runs right along the Bow RiversEdge Campground, so you’ll occasionally see people visiting from out of town who are excited to find such a beautiful trail so close to where they are staying. I’ve had conversations with visitors from across Canada and even some international travellers. It’s pretty special that this short portion of the trail has connected me to so many different people.  

Photo credit: Kelsey Olsen

Trail etiquette and safety 

With such a highly used trail, it’s even more important to maintain these beautiful spaces. Especially with the park being an off-leash area, it really depends on everyone doing their part to keep it safe, clean and fun. I’ve noticed that people are really diligent with cleaning up after their pets and keeping an eye on their dogs, which helps ensure everyone can enjoy these spaces. The town does a great job of frequently emptying the trash bins, restocking dog bags and keeping the area mowed and clean. Plus, they just started a riverbank rehabilitation project to protect the environmental health of the Bow River. It’s initiatives like these and responsibilities of trail users that will ensure we have special trails like the Jim Uffelman Memorial Park for many years to come. 

A beautiful space for everyone to enjoy 

Jim Uffelman Memorial Park might not be a bucket list destination or rugged backcountry trail in the mountains, but to me it’s exactly what the Trans Canada Trail stands for: accessibility, connection and adventure. It’s a space that encourages exploring the outdoors every day. Whether you’re visiting on a weekday after work with your dogs, biking along the trail on the weekend, reading a good book by the river, or just enjoying the view, there’s a sense of peace that comes from being on the trail. 

Finding out that my special place is part of the trail network that spans across the country made my little everyday trail feel that much more special. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to be climbing mountains or travelling far to explore the outdoors, sometimes the best adventures are in your own backyard.  

Kelsey Olsen is an award-winning travel writer from Cochrane, Alberta. She loves exploring the outdoors, especially hiking in the mountains, and sharing unique travel stories. Follow along on her adventures at www.wanderwoman.ca or on Instagram at @kelseyrolsen.   

Main photo credit: Kelsey Olsen