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Located on the banks of the Elk River, Annex Park is a large leafy park featuring accessible trails and lots of amenities to enjoy.
The park is frequented by bikers, walkers, and joggers during the summer months and snowshoe and cross-country ski enthusiasts in the winter.
Annex Park is a natural area surrounded by community trails, featuring a duck pond, grassy open areas and shaded picnic facilities. This is a great place to introduce the little ones to our resident ducks. Dogs are welcome on leash.
New additions and improvements made in 2023 include drinking water fountains and a Nature-based Adventure Playground aimed at all ages and demographics, including features suited to disabled users.
The newly paved and accessible Fernie Valley Pathway passes through Annex Park forming a part of Fernie's Recreational Trail system, and in turn, connects to Fernie's huge multi-use trails network. There's plenty to explore around Fernie Community, so be sure to pick up a copy of the Fernie Trail Map (click here for PDF version) at the Visitor Information Centre on HWY 3, or at many locations around town.
There is a parking area at the entrance of the park by taking 11th Street off the Highway through town. Drive to the end of 11th Street up and over the dyke and follow left to the parking area. Green bear-proof bins are placed intermittently along the park's pathway. On foot, the park can be accessed by virtually any street on the north-west side of 11th or 12th Avenue, as well as from Maiden Lake (passing under the North Fernie Bridge), or Dogwood Park (passing under the West Fernie Bridge).
Wapiti Music Festival
Annex Park hosts the annual Wapiti Music Festival in August, a Canadian Indie music festival sponsored by local businesses and CBC Radio. The festival line-up tends to be announced late-February to early-March, with early bird priced tickets selling out within days. Follow the Wapiti Music Festival website and social media channels to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements.
Fernie Half Marathon
The Fernie Half Marathon & 10k event occurs annually in early October. Starting in Annex Park, this all-trail course winds alongside the Elk River following the community trail system. The cooler fall conditions and gentle elevation gain makes this solo/relay running event accessible yet enjoyably challenging as you run through the beautiful autumnal colours of the Canadian Rockies.
