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McKell Wascana Conservation Park aerial photo 2007, prior to construction and seeding.
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Regina park’s focus on environmental sustainability garners award 
Regina, Sask., July 23, 2009 - A native prairie park found in the city, the McKell Wascana Conservation Park is providing a place for Regina residents to experience and learn about the ecology of the Regina plains and wetlands. For the City of Regina, the park not only provides an outdoor classroom for residents, it also fits in well with the city’s ongoing efforts to increase environmental sustainability through the use of native grasses.
In recognition of this focus on environmental sustainability, the City of Regina recently received the 2009 Saskatchewan Municipal Award for Environmental Stewardship for its work at McKell Wascana Conservation Park. The Saskatchewan Municipal Awards Program recognizes the commitment of Saskatchewan’s municipal governments to innovation, community leadership, environmental stewardship, regional partnerships, and economic development.
“The park is a great opportunity for residents to experience nature, to go birdwatching, and to go for a walk on the trails within the area,” says Dominique Clincke, Coordinator of Landscape Design with the City of Regina. “School groups can come out and take advantage of the outdoor classroom where they can learn about the prairie ecosystems. At the dock, they can go pond dipping, discover water creatures and learn about the prairie environment firsthand.”
Designated as an environmental reserve, the McKell Wascana Conservation Park began to be developed in 2005 when the McKell family and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) approached the City about creating a conservation space as a legacy on behalf of Robert McKell. The City of Regina gladly joined in on the idea.
“It was an opportunity to create a more unique park space. We were able to develop a programmable space for the public with partners that had expertise in the area – Ducks Unlimited Canada,” says Clincke.
He adds, “The Conservation area is part of a larger program in which we are constantly trying to make our open spaces more sustainable. In Regina, there are several other park spaces with areas of naturalized grasses but none entirely dedicated to conservation and education as is accomplished here. It all contributes to healthy communities and a more sustainable city.”
Clincke explains that the native grasses in the park are better for the surrounding creek environment, and also help to prevent erosion, require little maintenance, can withstand drought, and are non-invasive to the neighbouring farm and urban spaces.
The park provides a habitat for animals close to the city, whether its ducks, birds, or frogs. It’s also an opportunity for native grasses to take hold and actually spread along the creek.”
In 2007, restoration work began by seeding the park with native grasses, an environmentally sustainable choice. The seeding required great attention to detail, with oats planted first to remove invasive plants and create crop stubble to seed plants into. The following year, eight types of native grasses were seeded. This past year, the park sign, an amphitheatre and a dock were constructed, offering educational opportunities for schools and families.
There will be a grand opening of the McKell Wascana Conservation Park on Saturday, September 12, 2009. “We are excited to be a partner with the City of Regina and the McKell Family and look forward to the grand opening of the park,” said Michael Champion, conservation programs specialist with DUC in Regina. The park was officially dedicated in 2005 by the Duke of Edinburgh as part of the Royal Visit to Canada during Saskatchewan’s centennial year.
The park will continue to grow in the coming years, with the addition of more trails, interpretive signs, park benches, and the introduction of native shrubs and flowers.
For more information, contact:
Lori Gasper,
l_gasper@ducks.ca
Marketing and Communications
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: 306-665-7356
