Okotoks Alberta - A piece of railway history is being donated for the enjoyment and education of Foothills residents.
 
The Knowlton family has donated Champion Park, a private collection of historical locomotives, train cars, a station, and other buildings, to the Town of Okotoks and the MD of Foothills.
 
Gerald Knowlton began collecting railway cars and equipment on his property along Highway 2 near 338 Avenue in 1979 to honour his parents.
 
His father, Ted Knowlton, was a CPR station agent in the town of Standard, Alberta, for 42 years, and Knowlton had spent a large portion of his youth living in the train station.
 
"I grew up in the railway station," he said.
 
"I started this as a tribute to my parents and my youth."
 
Some of the stock has been acquired directly from the Canadian Pacific Railway, such as the Saskatchewan car, which was built in 1929 and ferried CPR vice-presidents across the country to check on railway operations.
 
Other pieces have been purchased privately, he said.
 
With his five daughters scattered around the world, from Switzerland, to the east and the west coasts of Canada, to Calgary, he said the family decided the legacy should be given to the community.
 
The municipalities are in a better position to maintain and care for the property than the family, he said.
 
He said it's difficult to let go of his collection, but he's pleased to know it will be preserved and shared with the region.
 
"This is kind of a bittersweet day, as you can imagine," said Knowlton.
 
"On the other hand, I know it will be well taken care of, which is our objective."
 
Both municipalities have pledged to care for and maintain the integrity of the site.
 
Part of the donation agreement mandates the 10 acres, which currently house the train station, tracks, and cars be preserved in perpetuity.
 
Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson said the remaining 44 acres could be converted into passive recreation opportunities, such as ball diamonds or soccer fields, or left as an open park space similar to its current state.
 
A Friends of Champion Park Society will be formed to create regulations outlining access to the park and the trains.
 
"The opportunity is phenomenal," said Robertson.
 
"It's one more cultural amenity, historical preservation of CPR history, that is right in our municipalities."
 
He said the park could potentially be part of Canada 150 celebrations in 2017, honouring Canada's 150th anniversary as a country.
 
"What put the country together was the promise to build a transcontinental railroad right across the country," said Robertson.
 
"This will be a great way to highlight that history and mark the importance of the railway in Canada."
 
MD of Foothills Mayor Larry Spilak said he is blown away by the generosity of the Knowlton family and excited to be able to offer people a first-hand opportunity to learn all about trains and Canadian history.
 
He said the park is evidence of the Knowlton family's passion for the railway.
 
"Parks such as this do not get built without passion," said Spilak.
 
"It's not anything you do for any other reason, it has to come from the heart.
 
"We understand just how close this is to Gerald and his family, and it gives us the incentive that is needed to look after it for him."
 
Champion Park will officially be donated in January 2017.
 
Over the next three months, the site will remain private and the public is asked to respect the privacy of the Knowlton family.
 
Krista Conrad.