Shortly after the Rotary Club of Calgary - Chinook was chartered in March of 1977, the Club established a special fund for the purpose of eventually developing a permanent public facility that would recognize the community service role of Rotary, and provide community facilities for public enjoyment.

In 1998 Charter member Jim Thompson, familiar with Fish Creek Park South and area development plans, proposed that the Club take the lead role in sponsoring a Nature Park on the south side of Highway 22x where it crosses the Bow River. 

The 48 hectare property became available after the McKenzie Meadows Golf Club had withdrawn it‘s own development plans, and the area was ideal for restoration to its more natural state to benefit visitors, wildlife, and the environment.

After much discussion and lively debate about the community fund and how to best use the monies, Club members approved the proposal and the lengthy negotiations and planning began. 

The plans call for restoring the natural growth areas, and adding other vegetation in appropriate settings so that visitors can stroll about the area viewing the various plant life and the birds and animals that hopefully will follow. Already there is evidence of pheasant, various songbirds, waterfowl, deer, and coyotes returning to and around the area. 

The City of Calgary and their contractor, Reid Crowther have made considerable habitat enhancements through their storm drain facilities from the Deerfoot Trail, speeding up the process for the Rotary Club's intended service improvements. The Park is an extension of the Fish Creek Park land assembly and falls under the authority of Alberta Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Services at Fish Creek Provincial Park. 

Leading up to the dedication ceremony in honour of the Club's 25th Anniversary, we can expect to see a variety of activities taking the Park to its next stages: 

The budget for Nature Park and related activities currently rests at $63,000.00, which includes $51,000 from the Chinook Club community fund along with contributions by Carma, TD Bank Friends of the Environment Fund, and other Rotary Clubs. 

These funds have all been committed for work already done, in progress, or scheduled, additional funding and expenditures are planned and will be committed as they occur. 

The Nature Park committee will be making grant applications to various provincial sources to fund additional resources and will be approaching other area Rotary Clubs for funding of the benches. Contributions and participation activities will be profiled on the plaques adorning the cairns. 

And along the way club members will have the opportunity to pitch in and help out when the construction schedule calls for tree and shrub planting, pathway raking and grooming, and other chores.