The Town of Okotoks along with the M.D. of Foothills are slowly working together to get Champion Park open at least for a sneak peak in the summer.

After acquiring the 52 acre landmark of Champion Park in late December from the Knowlton family that has vintage CP Rail cars, train station and a large park on it there's still plenty of work to be done.

Town CAO Elaine Vincent says there's plenty of protocol to go through before their first glimpse of the park to the public.

"We have to do our due diligence with the property," she says.  "Have it inspected, make sure it's safe and we're busy planning to do that official peak for the community where they can truly get the joy and benefit of Champion Park on Heritage Day."

Vincent says safety codes for a new park have to be up to code.

"We have to ensure it's at that safety standard so we're going to go through and make sure that the sidewalks are safe and any of those barriers that aren't working are removed."

Along with the historic rail cars and train on site, Vincent says both the Town and M.D. are applying for a special status for them.

"The three rail cars there need to go through a cultural designation process, we're doing that right now to see if Heritage Canada will accept those as cultural property and then that gives us a mandate on how to preserve those and protect them for the integrity of the future."

Champion Park was founded in 1979.

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