You may wish to swing by Goose Park, the name chosen by the guy who made this recent park possible a few decades ago.
Just go east on the History Promenade along 26 Ave until you get to 1 Street. This park abuts ‘The River’ condo building, and you’ll see the sign.
Meet the Geese!
For years, Ted and Bette Best enjoyed watching geese gatherings across the Elbow River in what became known as ‘Goose Park.’ At that time, the geese wandered around an area that was mostly a paved, paid parking lot.
Newly retired resident Ted Best went to City Hall to investigate ownership of this lot. He was surprised to discover that the land was actually owned by the City! Ted asked that it be reclaimed from those who had expropriated it, suggesting the creation of a City park. The City agreed. The deal was that the City would dismantle the lot and provide loam and seed; Ted and Bette Best would provide the labour.
Ted and Bette rented a backhoe and spent many hours spreading and levelling loam and seeding. As to the cost of the work, “We didn’t keep track,” said Bette. “We just bought and paid for whatever was needed to make it a park for the public – and of course, for the geese.” Ted said, “It was my retirement project, a labour of love.” Ted still laughs about the time he was leaning on his shovel when a passerby yelled at him “You City workers! Get moving on the job.”
In 2023, just after Ted had died, the park was officially named Goose Park.
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