Okotoks Alberta - It's time to go back to the future for residents of Okotoks and the Municipal District (MD) of Foothils, as a historic train park has been gifted to both municipalities by a local family.
 
A family has given the MD of Foothills and Town of Okotoks a 21 hectare plot of land, known as Champion Park.
 
The park, originally built by Gerald Knowlton, as an homage to the Canadian Pacific Railway, and as a gift to his mother and father, a CPR agent for 42 years, the park was replicated after the train station and surrounding area his dad Ted operated.
 
"My dad was alive for most of the building of the park and he celebrated his 90th birthday at the station," Knowlton said.
 
"My parents would be pleased to know that it will be in good hands for the education and enjoyment of the citizens of this district for many, many, generations to come."
 
The land, which straddles Highway 2 in a rural area in the MD of Foothills, will be operated and maintained by a newly formed non-profit organization, the Champion Park Society.
 
Okotoks Mayor Bill Roberton was more than pleased by the gift.
 
"We are thrilled to work with the MD to ensure the history property is properly maintained and opened for the enjoyment and education of the public," he said.
 
Champion Park includes not only the 21 hectares of land, but also shows off a fully restored CPR station from Champion, Alberta, a 1960s-era locomotive, a 1929 executive car, and a 1948 mail express train car.
 
It's expected the land deal will be finalized by the end of 2016.
 
Michael Lumsden.