With Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park’s visitor numbers almost doubling this summer, the foundation that oversees the park has created new opportunities for kids and adults to explore the popular landscape.
"People have discovered the park and will continue to use it, particularly in times of uncertainty like we're in right now," said Sarah Parker, the executive director of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (GRPF).
Although Parker said the foundation had to cancel its golf cart tours to meet health and safety protocols, the park is offering a new series of free mini-programs for youth.
The hour-and-a-half programs provide an opportunity for kids ages six to ten to learn about the park's diverse ecosystem. Parker hopes it will also inspire them to become "stewards of the lands they live around."
The Explore Grasslands program takes children to Yodel Loop – a popular trail for first-time visitors. During the short walk, Parker said attendees will learn about the grasslands' features and the animals that call the park home.
"It really opens up their minds that when you look out at the hills, you see green, but if you get closer, you notice there are five different types of grasses there," she said. "They suddenly realize this is a much busier ecosystem than at first glance."
While the grassland tour has kids exploring plants and animals, the Explore Pond Program has kids "putting on boots and getting wet," Parker said. In this program, participants find, identify and learn about unique water creatures.
"There are all sorts of species that live in our pond," she said. "While we might not have fish, we have different larvae, sometimes tadpoles, diving beetles, and side swimmers. All these neat invertebrates you wouldn't know are there unless you took the time to look."
Frogs, ducks and the park's "resident muskrat" will occasionally make an appearance as well, she added.
The youth programs have been "wildly popular," Parker said, and with only six spots available per tour, tend to sell out quickly. However, she hopes the park will offer more spots in August, and interested participants can put their names on a waitlist by emailing [email protected]
Visitors curious to learn more about the park's history can sign up for the Guided Historical Walk, which will be held Aug. 3. Participants will learn about the old town previously located on the site, the early settlers of GRPP and visit Indigenous teepee rings and buffalo kill sites.
Parker expects the ranch will continue to be a popular location if the current uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 continues throughout the fall, and visitors can admire the spectacular display of autumn colours.
"Whatever happens to humans, nature just rolls on, right?" she said.
Kate F. Mackenzie, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @katefmack
