KLESKUN HILL PARK

Kleskun Hill Park is located 20 km east of Grande Prairie, Alberta on Highway 43, then north 3 km and west 1 km.

Kleskun Hill Park

The rolling hills rise 100 meters above the plains in this area . The eroded remnants of a prehistoric river delta look like a miniature version of the badlands of Drumheller, Alberta.

The Kleskun Hill Park is a protected natural area that is fenced off with access permitted by foot only. The natural area protects one of the largest pieces of native grassland remaining in the Grande Prairie Region. Kles-Kun is believed to mean, "white mud" in one of the areas native languages. It was the area were the first people picked berries and hunted in the 1800's.

One of the hills is called "Dinosaur Hill" because many dinosaur fossils were found there. "Garret Hill" was named after the former reeve, municipal councilor of the area (1926-1948). Robert Cochrane (1880-1965) was a pioneer area farmer, conservationist and amateur geologist that chiselled the rock Dinosaur Hill and Garrett Hill.

One of the last battles of the Beaver Indians is commemorated by two mounds where five braves had died. Within this natural area is the native burial ground.

The view standing at the top of Dinosaur Hill looking eastward towards the entrance to the park. This is an overview of the Heritage Park and its historic buildings and machinery. The Turner Barn represents a bit of history of the Turner Family that arrived in the area in 1911 and in 1928 built the barn we see today.

One of the historic buildings at the park is the Herbert Manning House built in 1914. Situated next to it is the Wasyl Bill Griko Home built in 1929.

Heritage Village is located at the entrance of the park operated by the museum society. A collection of many original buildings of the area can be viewed. The original East Kleskun School, barn and out-buildings, first post office and the Roman Catholic Church built in 1947 and other interesting buildings.

In 1916 Kleskun Hill School opened and classes were taught in a tent until the first teacherage was built at the end of World War 1. In the early 1920's fire destroyed the school. A vacant store was moved from Clairmont to be the new school until the early 1950's when it finally was closed.


2010 EVENTS OF THE PEACE COUNTRY