SASKATOON ISLAND PROVINCIAL PARK

Located 25 km west of Grande Prairie, Alberta, on Highway 43 is Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, Alberta's 2nd oldest Provincial Park.

MORE PHOTOS: Click on the mini-pictures above to enlarge photo.

Saskatoon Island Provincial Park was established in 1932 and covers an area over 100 hectares.

Many years ago, the Cree First Nations people picked saskatoon berries that grew on the small island and mixed them with other berries to make pemmican. The Cree described the many flowers as Saskwatoomia or saskatoon.

In 1919, the lake level dropped and Saskatoon Island became part of the mainland.

In 1899 Alex Monkman, one the the 1st settlers of the area, built a cabin north of the park and a trading post. The Hudson's Bay Company moved its Trading Post nearby. Roman Catholic Priests soon built a mission house on the south side of the lake, and later Anglican and Methodist Churches built a mission house.

In 1912 Lake Saskatoon became a village and about that time the telegraph line came to the area.

The first school in the area was built in 1913 known as Cutbank Lake School. An old mill near the shores of Lake Saskatoon was turned into a school in those early years. In 1929 a two-room school was built on the north side of the lake for grades 1-6 and 7-11 and continued to operate until 1955 when the students were transferred to Wembley.

The community of Lake Saskatoon continued to grow until 1924 when the railway by-passed it by 3 miles to the present location of Wembley. Most businesses moved to the new townsite and the Village of Lake Saskatoon eventually died.



Early spring at Saskatoon Island Park can provide some beautiful photo shots.

2010 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY

Saskatoon Lake offers many hours of fun: swimming, sailing, water-skiing, or using other watercrafts.

Day use area provides plenty of room for groups.

Many picnic tables and firepits located in day use area.

Confectionery provides cool drinks and snacks.

Designated as a Migratory Bird Sanctuary since 1948 to protect the Trumpeter Swan and Native Plants. Follow the paved trails to the bird viewing stand on Little Lake. The self-guided interpretive tour will be of interest. Canada Geese and Northern Harriers also nest hear.

VIDEOS

VIDEO - SPECIAL EVENTS

SWAN FESTIVAL Saskatoon Lake (April 2010) PLAY > -1:30 min

More LOCAL VIDEOS

In late April, the park hosts the Swan Festival. Visitors are invited to view and learn more about the Trumpeter Swan.