Champion Park Open House
Saturday, September 16, 2023 - 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Champion Park is opening its doors to members of the public on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Take a stroll around the 55-acres of land, watch the rainbow trout swim in the pond, check out the wildlife in the wetland area, or simply partake in the games and activities. A passport will be given to children, encouraging them to engage with the many interpreters and receive stamps after each visit. A complete passport can be traded in at the end of the visit for a prize.
Bring a picnic and a water bottle and sit on a piece of the vast and beautiful property. As Champion Park is part of our sustainable community, please ensure all waste goes home with you. We encourage using reusable containers if you do decide to bring a picnic lunch.
Due to parking constraints, access to this event is by bus only. For your comfort and convenience busing to and from the Curling Rink parking lot at the Okotoks Recreation Centre (ORC) is being offered, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The last bus leaving for Champion Park will be 12:15 p.m. See below for departure times:
Bus 1: Leave ORC 11:00 a.m.
Bus 2: Leave ORC 11:15 a.m.
Bus 1: Leave ORC 11:30 a.m.
Bus 2: Leave ORC 11:45 a.m.
Bus 1: Leave ORC 12:00 p.m.
Bus 2: Leave ORC 12:15 p.m.
To book a seat on the bus, please click here.
Return buses to Okotoks will leave Champion Park once loaded – last bus will be 3:00 p.m.
*Please note: There is limited access to exhibits.
Watch the virtual tour, which is a collection of 17 videos of locations within Champion Park. You will experience the knowledge and dedication showcased by the volunteers, who are essential in the park's success. Each video highlights a different attraction within the park, from cabooses to the train station.
Champion Park History
Champion Park was gifted by the Knowlton Family. Gerald L. Knowlton built the park as an homage to the CPR and as a family tribute to his mother, Faye, and father, Frederick (Ted) Knowlton – a CPR station agent who served in the town of Standard, Alberta for 42 years. The park was replicated after the train station and surroundings that his father operated.
Founded in 1979, Champion Park includes not only the land, but a lake, a restored CPR railway station from Champion, Alberta, a number of outbuildings, railway tracks, a 1960s era locomotive, a 1948 mail-express car, a 1929 Executive car (“The Saskatchewan”), display and rail cars, rolling stock as well as other period equipment and railway artifacts. The park is located 5 km northeast of Okotoks and 7 km north of Aldersyde on the east side of Highway 2 at the junction of 64 St. East and Township Road 210.