Rotary History-Fort Edmonton Park
This city park of 156 acres includes the reconstructed Hudson's Bay Fort, the 1885 Street and the 1920 Street among other attractions.
This ambitious project has become a major attraction and is a valuable contribution towards the preservation and understanding of our past. The park is a product of much effort, time and money that came from many sources. The provincial and federal governments, as well as many businesses, organizations and individuals have contributed. It is not a Rotary Park, however Rotary in Edmonton has played a major role in its conception and development.
Not long after World War II, members of the Old Timers Association made an effort to obtain provincial and city support for the construction of the Fort. It was that it would have to be rebuilt on some site other than the original one on the Legislature Building grounds. One of those active in the attempt was the late S.A.Dickson, the founder of the Edmonton Rotary Club. Nothing came of it at that time.
In 1966, The Edmonton Rotary Club observed its 50th Anniversary. Mr. Dickson suggested to the Club President, the late Merrill Wolfe, that by way of observing the anniversary, the Club might do something to help establish a memorial of Fort Edmonton. In the following year, the late Henry Ward was President of the Club. Seeking a project for Canada's Centennial, he supported same idea. Mr. Dickson gave support to Messers. Ward and Wolfe Thus it was on July 9, 1967 when the park was dedicated at a site on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River upstream from the Whitemud Creek, -Mr. Wolfe announced the commitment by the Rotary Club of Edmonton, of a gift of $60,000 towards reconstruction of the Fort. On November 9, 1969 Mr. Ward, who was Chairman of the Fort Edmonton Park Committee, announced a further $75,000 by the Edmonton Rotary Clubs. Rotary Money was earmarked for the building of the palisades and bastion and also for the preparation of a master plan for the whole park which of course extends beyond the park itself.
"Excerpt from The Rotary Club of Edmonton 75th Anniversary Publication"