The “McKell Wascana Conservation Park”:http://www.regina.ca/residents/parks/mckell_wascana_conservation_park/ is located on the south east border of the city of Regina in Saskatchewan. If you are driving across the prairies on the #1 Highway, it is a short detour south of the highway. I visited the park while on a bike ride along the extensive walk/bike system in the city. From this location it is easy to forget that you are on the edge of a city.
The 171 acres belong to a local family (the McKells) who had farmed on the land since the 1880s. The McKells signed a Conservation Easement with Ducks Unlimited Canada which means that the family still owns the land but it is preserved and managed by Ducks Unlimited Canada as a conservation reserve. There is a concrete and stone amphitheatre as you approach the park from Wascana Circle. The park has 4 km of crushed pebble pathways and boardwalks through a nature reserve where there is an abundance of small wildlife. Occasionally there are benches for you to rest and enjoy the scenery. Along the paths are storyboards that point out the particular water fowl you may see and one explains how the Wascana Creek watershed works. One of them also has a map of the paths in the park. As the park was opened by HRH Prince Philip in 2005, it is not surprising that the main path is named after him. From the wooden dock you can get closer to the water life. The other wildlife you may see in abundance is mosquitoes – I received a few bites – so don’t forget the bug spray.
Looking south across the conservation park you can see across the flat prairies. It really does seem like you can look for miles.
Parking is available on Wascana Circle and entrance is free. Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead so as not to disturb the wildlife. The park is open all year from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.