This story was originally published March 27, 2016

When Richard White wrote about his sacred spaces, it generated a lot of responses with Calgarians sharing their special places with us.

It's clear the people of this city love parks, and views of the skyline. There are also memories, which help draw people back to this place, and to communities that were once central to their lives.

Park lovers

For H.B. Mejira, it's the area around Princes Island Park after rainfall.

The pathway through Eau Claire after some rain. (H.B. Mejia)

Tony Webb loves getting lost on his mountain bike in Fish Creek Park.

Fish Creek Park in south Calgary. (Tony Webb)

For Steve, it's Bowmont Park, where he tracks the passage of time by riding his bike year round and watching the seasons change.

The changing seasons in Bowmont Park. (Steve C.)

Cyleene Chen enjoys North Glenmore Park, overlooking the Glenmore Reservoir.

North Glenmore Park overlooking the reservoir. (Cyleene Chen)

Barb Cardwell is another park lover. "Fish Creek Park! Tied with going for a paddle on the Bow River! Both can make you almost forget you're even still in the city," she wrote on the CBC Calgary Facebook page.

Holly Herman enjoys the catch-and-release pond at the Bow Habitat Station

The catch-and-release pond at the Bow Habitat Station. (Holly Herman)

While Gemma Kelsall loves the Weaselhead at the mouth of the reservoir.

Weaselhead at the entrance to the Glenmore reservoir. (Gemma Kelsall)

Nostalgia

For others like Eddie Kiffiak, it's about nostalgia for a past life.

"When I'm home to Calgary I'll usually take a drive up to 37th street and 31st ave in the southwest, just behind Currie Barracks," he wrote on the CBC Calgary Facebook page. "And I'll park the car and reminisce about growing up there, when my mom was still here, something about it is like a warm blanket around me. Many great fond memories about being a kid back then."

It's memories that draw Rick Grimm to his corner of the city as well.

"I have been away from the land of wheat and honey — Bowness, Calgary — for 16 years now," he wrote. "When I go home to visit my folks, I need to visit the train trestles that cross the Bow toward Silver Springs and also need to walk around Bowness Park (preferably with my cousin Chere Ruby). Without fail, those images of home heal all my worries."

Ken Clark wrote of the past on the CBC Calgary site.

"Sunalta/Lower Scarboro (1725 13th Ave S.W.), where my mother's family settled... in 1921, then the western edge of town! I lived there for a year while attending MRU (College at the time), just before the family home was sold."

City life

Others prefer a more urban, and contemporary, Calgary experience, including the views from the city's many bluffs.

For Dan Clements it's "north-central Renfrew, Bridgeland to Kensington, Hillhurst. The views are spectacular. Great people, open and caring make great neighbourhoods."

The view of downtown from Bridgeland in the northeast. (Dan Clements )

Dan Menachem prefers the bustle of Stephen Avenue on a warm, sunny day. "Always lifts my spirits," he wrote.

Stephen Avenue on a warm, sunny day. (Dan Menachem)

Calgary at a Crossroads is CBC Calgary's special focus on life in our city during the downturn. A look at Calgary's culture, identity and what it means to be Calgarian. Read more stories from the series at Calgary at a Crossroads.