Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of the largest urban protected areas in Canada and is enjoyed by millions of visitors annually. To preserve the park for the future, Alberta’s government is investing $750,000 over three years in the Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society to continue their preservation and conservation work.

“Partners like the Friends of Fish Creek are an essential part of our provincial parks system. For 30 years, the Friends of Fish Creek have been an integral part of the work that has been done in this provincial park. I am proud to recognize their achievements and look forward to continuing to work together in the future.”

Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism

The Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society was established in 1992 after a group of citizens recognized a need to conserve the park amid a growing Calgary. This investment will enable the society to hire staff, collect data to improve programs and enhance visitor experiences.

More than 250 active volunteers work with the society, dedicating more than 12,000 hours annually to educate visitors, restore trails, plant trees, remove invasive plants, host field trips and build a sense of pride and community.

“We are happy to continue our groundbreaking partnership with Alberta Parks. Thank you to the premier, minister and our colleagues in the Ministry of Forestry, Parks and Tourism for supporting our vision of a community-based model for the sustainability of Fish Creek Provincial Park.”

Nic Blanchet, executive director, Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society

In 2020, Alberta’s government provided $480,000 over three years to the Friends of Fish Creek to encourage more people to visit and enjoy Fish Creek Provincial Park. The funding helped the society deliver educational and recreational activities and resource management and research programs. This additional investment will enable the society to build on its successes and expand programs and activities in the park for Albertans to enjoy.

Investing in provincial parks and non-profit park societies helps protect Alberta’s wild spaces for future generations while driving tourism and supporting local economies.

Quick facts

  • Established in 1975, Fish Creek Provincial Park encompasses more than 1,355 hectares.

  • Fish Creek Provincial Park welcomes more than two million visitors annually to engage in year-round outdoor recreation opportunities at low or no cost.

  • The park is home to the Sikome Aquatic Facility, which welcomed more than 1,300 daily visitors over the summer months.

  • The Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society was incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in 1993.

  • The Alberta government’s $750,000 investment is over three years, with $250,000 being directed to the group annually.