July 13, 2009
Celebrate Parks Day at Blackfoot
Wagon rides, a geocaching demonstration, and tours to
a historic marker are part of the family friendly agenda for Canada’s Parks Day
celebrations at Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area on Saturday,
July 18.
Parks Day activities run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the
Waskehegan Staging Area, located on Range Road 210 about 20 minutes east of
Sherwood Park.
Horse-drawn wagon rides out of the Waskehegan Staging
Area will give visitors a chance to view unique features of Blackfoot, a
multi-use area that includes livestock grazing and resource extraction, and offers
a host of recreational opportunities. Before hopping on a wagon for a ride,
kids can have their faces painted in the staging area, where ice cream treats, refreshments,
and barbecued hotdogs and hamburgers will help fuel the fun.
Also, the Interpretive Centre will be open all day, an interactive geocaching demonstration will teach visitors about that fun activity, and the Friends of the Blackfoot will be happy to discuss their fire tower project. Weather permitting, the Friends will provide vehicle tours to the commemorative plaque marking the site of Alberta’s first ranger station, located just inside Elk Island National Park. As tour space is limited, please pre-register by calling the Friends of the Blackfoot Society Interpretive Centre at
780-922-1153.
So this Saturday, on the 20th anniversary
of Canada’s Parks Day, residents of the Edmonton area are invited to drive out
to the Waskehegan Staging Area and learn more about this highly accessible 24,000-acre
backcountry area.
Outdoor enthusiasts already familiar with Blackfoot’s
170-kilometre trail network are encouraged to participate in Canada’s Parks Day
by starting a hike, horseback riding trek, or cycling tour from any of the four
staging areas. There is no entry fee into the provincial recreation area.
For more information on Parks Day activities at
Blackfoot, please call the Interpretive Centre at 780-922-1153. The website www.dotheblackfoot.ca also offers
extensive information on Blackfoot.
Media, for further information, please contact:
Terri Kemball
Friends of the Blackfoot
780-922-3880