Make some memories here in Central Alberta

“Memory is a man’s real possession. In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor.”

– Alexander Smith, Scottish essayist and poet 1830-1867.

One of the most valuable things you can do for your children is to spend time together making memories that your family will cherish.

Memorable moments help to instil a strong sense of family love and commitment long after children have left home.

There’s no doubt that a family vacation is an excellent way to create lasting memories. But sometimes it can seem like an impossible task to find the time or the money to enjoy a vacation together. Fortunately, there are plenty of great spots for making memories right in Central Alberta.

If you stick close to home, you won’t need to spend a lot of money or time on an elaborate vacation to make the kind of memories that last.

Here are a few ideas for inexpensive family fun in Central Alberta.

Wet-n-Wild

• Discovery Canyon: located beside River Bend Golf and Recreation Area, this seasonal waterpark features a natural river-fed pool, playground area, concession and washrooms. You can bring your own tube or rent one for $3, plus a $2 refundable deposit.

• Sylvan Lake Provincial Park: a 1.6 km grass and sand beach is the highlight of this provincial park. Nearby, you’ll find the Wild Rapids Waterslide Park, bumper boats, food vendors and other little shops.

• Aspen Beach Provincial Park: wide sandy beaches, shallow water, playgrounds, campgrounds, and picnic areas make Alberta’s first provincial park a family hot spot.

Farm Fun

• Farmers’ Markets: almost every community in Central Alberta has its own farmers’ market. Exploring a farmers’ market to purchase fresh veggies or a plate of homemade cookies can be a fun activity for the entire family. For a complete list of markets and times, visit: www.agric.gov.ab.ca.

• U-Pick: Picking peas, strawberries, and other produce from the vine teaches children about where their food comes from. Many Central Alberta producers welcome visitors on their u-pick farms. Some hold special events like Edgar Farms’ Asparagus Days or the Jungle Farm’s Strawberry Festival.

For more information on where to find farm fresh products, visit: www.albertafarmfresh.com or call the Alberta Farm Fresh Producer’s Association at:1-800-661-2642.

• Greenhouses: the rows may not be even, but a child’s garden can provide a real sense of accomplishment and be a real pleasure.

Children love to visit the local greenhouse and choose plants for their own space. Some greenhouses also offer activities for children.

To find a greenhouse near you, visit the Alberta Greenhouse Growers Association’s website: www.agga.ca.

Adventures in Learning

Museums have come a long way in the past few decades with interactive attractions that provide hands-on learning opportunities that engage guests of all ages.

Nonetheless, if you want to ensure that your children have plenty of activities to enjoy at a museum, it’s a good idea to plan your visit during a special event or celebration.

Check out the special events calendars of these museums and historical sites in Central Alberta.

• Alberta Sports Hall of Fame: (www.albertasportshalloffame.com), in Red Deer

• Bowden Pioneer Museum: (www.anwc.net), in Bowden

• Danish Canadian National Museum and Gardens: (www.dancanmuseum.ca), near Innisfail Historical Village: (www.townofinnisfail.com), in Innisfail

• Markerville Creamery: (www.abheritage.ca), in Markerville

• Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery: (www.museum.red-deer.ab.ca), in Red Deer

• Reynolds Museum: (machinemuseum.net), near Wetaskiwin

• Rocky Mountain House National Historical Site of Canada: (www.pc.gc.ca), near Rocky Mountain House

• Stephansson House: (http://culture.alberta.ca), near Markerville

• Sundre Museum: (www.museum.sundre.com), in Sundre

• Sunny Brook Farm: (www.sunnybrookfarmmuseum.ca), in Red Deer

If you plan to visit a number of provincially run museums and historic sites around Alberta, consider purchasing the Experience Alberta’s History annual pass. This pass allows full access for one year to all 17 Alberta historic sites, interpretive centres, and museums. Many of the smaller local museums are not included.

The pass costs $75 for families and is available at all major provincial historic sites and museums. Additional fees may be charged for some special exhibits or events.

To obtain a free guide including all of the province’s historic sites and museums call 1-800-ALBERTA.

Walk on the Wild Side

• Discovery Wildlife Park: located near Innisfail, this zoo is home to several movie bears that have starred in movies such as the Academy-Award-winning movie Brokeback Mountain.

A bear safety and awareness program takes place daily at the park with their trainer, Ruth. There are also a tiger and a jaguar show, small animal shows, camel rides, interpretive talks, and behind-the-scenes tours.

The park also has a concession, gift shop, and picnic area. For more information, visit: www.discoverywildlifepark.com or call 403-227-3211.

• Ellis Bird Farm: located near Lacombe, Ellis Bird Farm has one of the world’s largest collections of bluebird nest boxes, extensive trails and gardens, a visitor’s centre, and a tea house.

If you are interesting in bird banding, join the staff on a bird-banding tour or visit during one of their special events to learn more about birds and other creatures. Enjoy some peaceful time in the butterfly and hummingbird gardens, water gardens, or the wildflower gardens. Ellis Bird Farm is both a working farm and a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving mountain bluebirds, tree swallows and other native cavity-nesting birds. For more information, visit: www.ellisbirdfarm.ab.ca.

• Kerry Wood Nature Centre: established in 1924, the Gaetz Lake Sanctuary was Alberta’s first federal migratory bird sanctuary.

More than 100 bird species have been sighted in the sanctuary including boreal chickadees, red-breasted nuthatches and pileated and three-toed woodpeckers.

Waterfowl can be viewed from behind viewing blinds and nesting platforms. The knowledgeable staff and educational displays at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre can also help you learn a lot about birds and other animals that make Central Alberta their home. Be sure to bring a camera and a pair of binoculars. For more information, visit: www.waskasoopark.ca.

• Medicine River Wildlife Centre: located 40 km west of Innisfail on Highway 54, the Medicine River Wildlife Centre works to rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned wild animals from across Alberta by treating more than 1,200 animals annually.

Visitors to the centre can see a variety of displays and meet some of the permanent residents such as Otis the great-horned owl and Luka the Swainson’s hawk. Adjacent to the Wildlife Centre building is a 20-minute nature trail that leads to an observation tower overlooking a 75-acre marsh.

Many species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and marsh birds can be seen including sandhill cranes. There is also a gift shop where snacks can be purchased. Proceeds go towards operating costs of the wildlife centre.

For more information, visit: www.medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca.

• Slack Slough: This bulrush marsh is an excellent place to view a wide variety of waterfowl. Common in the spring and summer are golden eyes, buffleheads, and Canada geese. Birds of prey such as red-tailed hawks and northern harriers may also be seen in this area. Slack Slough is located three kilometres south of Red Deer.

Uniquely Entertaining

• Alberta Prairie Railroad: who can resist the appeal of riding a vintage steam train?

When that train comes equipped with a sharp-shooting sheriff and a group of bumbling robbers, it gets even more exciting. You can find out more about the railroad, located in Stettler, by visiting www.absteamtrain.com or by calling 1-800-292-3994.

• Lacombe Corn Maze: open the last weekend in July until the end of October, the Lacombe Corn Maze makes a great outing for families. In addition to the corn maze, they have pig races, a goat walk, a bale mountain, picnic area, firepits, barrel train, corn cannon, and giant slides. You can take a picnic lunch. For more information and directions to the maze located near Lacombe, visit: www.lacombecornmaze.com.

• RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre: on Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m. from May 21 to Sept. 10, there are free dog training demos. For more information visit: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca or phone 403-227-3346.