Calgary, June 18, 2002

Rotary Nature Park opens at Fish Creek Provincial Park

The Rotary Club of Calgary-Chinook officially opened the Rotary Nature Park this afternoon. The nature park, located in Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary, is the main feature in the five-year project to restore the area back to natural parkland that the Rotary Club began planning in 2000 and began construction on in 2001.

"I salute the efforts and contributions of the Rotary Club of Calgary-Chinook in helping to ensure the future protection of this parkland, and in so doing, leaving a wonderful heritage for all Albertans," said Community Development Minister Gene Zwozdesky, who is also the Minister responsible for Parks and Protected Areas. "This is a significant addition to the park which will enhance wildlife movement, protect fisheries and habitats along the river, and improve public access to the river."

"We are pleased to participate in this project with the Government of Alberta," said Jim Thompson, current chairman of the nature Park Committee and past-president of the Rotary Club of Calgary-Chinook. "The work that the Rotary Club is doing in developing the land into a wetlands area for the park demonstrates the opportunities and legacies that can sult from land-use reclamation and storm water management."

This area of the park was mined for gravel from the 1970s to 1990 as part of the original master plan for Fish Creek Provincial Park. The area was reclaimed in 1992 back to grass for the proposed development of a golf course. The successful golf course developer did not require this land for its operation, so it reverted back to natural parkland according to the Park Management Plan. In 2000, the land was redeveloped into wetlands for storm water runoff from the Deerfoot extension. In 2001, Carma built the regional pathway in this area allowing access from its new subdivision into Fish Creek Provincial Park. The Chinook Rotary Club has undertaken restoring the area back to natural parkland as a five-year project. Last year, it installed the parking lot, roads and some trails. Over the next four years it will put in more trails and plant trees and shrubs to naturalize the area. Four gazebos, sponsored by Carma Developments, Lafarge Construction and Spruce Meadows, will be installed in the park, and an anonymous donor will be installing park benches.

The project received financial support to date from the Rotary Club of Calgary-Chinook. Additional financial support will come from the Rotary Club of Calgary-Chinook and through grant applications.

"The Chinook Rotary Club contribution demonstrates the value of partnerships between government and other parties with the resulting benefits for all Albertans," said Zwozdesky.

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