The Town of Okotoks is honoured to welcome members of our community to a Blackfoot Pipe Ceremony to signify the grand opening of iitopatopa Park on July 30 at 10 a.m., located at 370068 40 Street East, one block east of Bill Robertson Park.
This newly developed riverfront day-use area features a nature-themed playground, picnic shelters and a disc golf course, offering residents and visitors new opportunities for outdoor recreation and connection.
“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,” says 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 plan for 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. A Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Assessment informed the planning process, alongside meaningful consultation with our Indigenous partners.
Following a site visit with a Blackfoot assessment team, the name iitopatopa [ee-doo-baa-dopa], meaning “a place where we return to often,” was recommended by Piikani Elder, Shirlee Crow Shoe, and formally adopted to reflect the Town’s ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and recognition of the cultural significance of the land.
The 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 a chance to check out the park’s new features.
Learn more about the iitopatopa Park grand opening at okotoks.ca/events.