The Town of Okotoks is celebrating the grand opening of iitopatopa Park with a Blackfoot Pipe Ceremony.
Members of the community are invited to the grand opening ceremony tomorrow (July 30) at 10 a.m. at 370068 40 Street East, one block east of Bill Robertson Park.
The newly developed day-use area features a nature-themed playground, picnic shelters, and a disc golf course.
The new amenity was designed with the goal of offering residents and visitors opportunities for outdoor recreation and connection, a Town of Okotoks media release said.
“iitopatopa Park is more than just a new recreational space. It also represents a meaningful connection to the land, shaped by community input and Indigenous knowledge,” said Christa Michailuck, Town of Okotoks director of parks and recreation. “We’re excited to open this beautiful riverside park where residents can gather, explore, and enjoy the new amenities like the playground and disc golf course.”
The concept of iitopatopa Park was guided by the town’s 2017 Recreation, Parks and Leisure Master Plan, the Social Wellness Framework, and Council’s Community Life Purpose Statement, the release said.
A Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Assessment, and consultation with Indigenous partners informed the planning process.
After a site visit with a Blackfoot assessment team, the name, iitopatopa, meaning “a place where we return to often", was recommended by Piikani Elder, Shirlee Crow Shoe.
The town adopted the name to reflect a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and recognition of the cultural significance of the land.
As part of the grand opening, a sacred pipe ceremony will be conducted in the town’s Tipi by Blackfoot Elders, followed by the planting of the holy longtime poplar tree, servings of Bannock, blueberry soup, and the opportunity to see the park’s features.