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The Poundmaker Trail is named after Chief Poundmaker who, during his lifetime, led his Cree band in search of buffalo over the vast territory which stretched from the Battlefords in Saskatchewan west into Alberta toward Edmonton. The Poundmaker Trail exits Edmonton leaving the busy city life for a land of scenic beauty and rural communities rich in history, heritage and a birdwatchers paradise in Beaver County. Driving south then east of Sherwood Park, take Highway 14 through the scenic Beaver Hills area of Strathcona County, encompassing Cooking Lake and other recreational attractions. After passing by Ministik and Lindbrook, be sure to turn in at Tofield, the site of the annual Snowgoose Festival, and a great place to enjoy a meal. Visit the Tofield Museum at the Beaverhill Lake Nature Centre, or head out to do some birdwatching at nearby Beaverhill Lake, a Wetland of International Importance. Next, go east to the Village of Ryley, which boasts everything from an indoor swimming pool and Wellness Centre, to a yearly threshing bee. Continuing on to Holden, be sure to stop by the Museum and check out the program of events at the Beaver Regional Arts Centre. It's a good idea to arrive in Bruce during its famed rodeo, an event that was started 89 years ago, making it the oldest and largest one-day show in Canada. Moving on to Viking, the home of the famous NHL Sutter brothers, you should drop by the museum at the 1921 hospital, and take a side-trip to the nearby Ribstones to view native carvings in stone believed to be over a thousand years old. And be sure to stop and smell the flowers - Viking is a winner in the National and International Communities in Bloom Competitions! Kalyna Country Map Distance ChartBeaver County – We Have Secrets…Beaver County begins about 40 km from
Edmonton in the Cooking Lake Moraine, a heavily wooded and hilly area,
and extends out for about 120 km east.
From the Moraine the landscape gradually changes into flatter,
rich farmland with neatly trimmed farmsteads.
There are a multitude of things to see and do including
exploring the Cooking Lake‑Blackfoot Recreation Wildlife and
Grazing Area or camping at Black Nugget or Camp Lake campgrounds.
Beaver County is endowed with wetlands, many small lakes and
ponds and the well-known Beaverhill Lake, proving it to be a
birder’s paradise. Major
events include the renowned Beaverhill Lake Snowgoose Festival and the
popular Bruce Stampede. Beaver County Tofield – Come Share our ViewpointTofield is the largest centre in the County of Beaver, and is
ideally situated for commercial development. It is the location of the Beaverhill Lake Nature Centre,
established in 1985, which features displays on the natural and
cultural history of the region, a gift shop, and tourist information.
Over 250 species of birds stop at the lake on the annual
migration, and 120 of the birds nest along its shores, some birds are
Canada geese, snow geese, cranes, and swans etc. There are a number of campgrounds in the area with
recreational opportunities including Miquelon Lake Provincial Park and
Black Nugget Lake campground. This
community is well known for its special events and small town charm. Town of Tofield Ryley – Live the Life of RyleyRyley has many facilities and activities for you to enjoy.
There are newly renovated walking paths in Earth Academy Park
and also an indoor swimming pool, curling rink, community centre, and
campground. Ryley &
District Museum contains mostly local artifacts and farm tools, but
also features an excellent doll collection.
For risk takers, challenge yourself indoors or out at T.A.G.
Paintball. Annual events
include Demolition Derby & Tough Trucks, Sports Day, Huge Ry-Tof
Slow Pitch Tournament, Ladies Night Out, and Threshing Bee. Village of Ryley Holden – Share the Charm of Country LivingShare the charm of country living in the Village of Holden.
This small community of about 400 residents is proud to be the
home of the Beaver Regional Arts Centre, which hosts many fine
professional performances. The
Holden Museum and Masonic Lodge Gallery is housed in the former fire
hall. The museum features
an “old time” kitchen, a store display, and a restored jail cell. The museum is open in the summer months on Wednesdays,
Fridays and Sundays from 2-4 p.m. Village of Holden Viking – Home of the SuttersThroughout North America, all NHL fans know Viking as “the
home of the Sutters”. The
six brothers were raised in Viking and learned to play hockey in the
Viking Arena. But the
town has plenty of other attractions that don’t involve hockey!
Travel into the past at the museum‑a former 1921
hospital, each room transformed into a different time in history.
Visit Viking’s Farmers Market on a Thursday and enjoy home
baking and fresh produce. Viking
hosts many exciting events, which are Scandinavian night, Hicks in the
Stix Jamboree, Cloverlodge Stampede, and Viking Fridge Spiel.
This beautiful community is an International winner in the
Communities in Bloom competition.
The award winning gardens bring pride and colour to the town. Town of Viking Bruce – Famous for its’ StampedeThis small community, big in heart, offers a post office, hotel and restaurant. Recreation activities include a playground, two sheet curling rink, seniors drop-in centre and museum. The oldest and largest one-day rodeo in Canada is the Annual Bruce Stampede. Bruce Kinsella – The Ribstones Historic SiteThe hamlet of Kinsella has a number of businesses and holds several events such as the Kinsella Krazy Days and Homecoming. Five miles west of Kinsella, you will find a point of interest along Hwy. 14, telling of an Indian ceremonial area on a high point of land, thought to be connected with fertility rites for the buffalo. Large rocks (called Ribstones) depicting buffalo ribs can be found here. These stones are considered to be a thousand years old. Kinsella Irma – Looking to the Future
Irma has a wide variety of businesses to suit everyone's shopping
needs. There is an active Seniors Group with a drop-in centre and
Seniors Manor, as well as a public library. This sport-minded
community offers a 4- sheet curling rink, which is the hub of activity
all winter long and one week in July during the Annual Summerspiel.
An indoor ice arena, 4 baseball diamonds, and a 9-hole grass green
golf course are sure to keep the sports-minded in your family
entertained! Be sure to take in Irma Daze in August. Enjoy exciting
rodeo events, bench exhibits, and a parade. In the winter, Santa Daze
will give you the chance to go on a hayride, sit by a roaring bonfire,
or test your hunting skills on a turkey shoot. There's always
something to do in Irma, so be sure to stop by for a visit.
Village of Irma Wainwright – Welcome To Buffalo Country
The Town of Wainwright is most recognized for it’s military training
grounds. Camp Wainwright (Department of National Defense) was, at one
point, used as a prisoner of war facility during the World Wars.
Today, the camp is one of the primary military training areas in
Canada, regularly hosting international exercises. Visitors are
welcome to Camp Wainwright and take in the displays of historical
military vehicles and a P.O.W. camp watchtower. Visitors are also
welcome to the Bud Cotton Buffalo Paddock, maintained as a reminder of
the original Buffalo National Park that was developed in 1908 were
over 48,000 buffalo had been produced. Wainwright also offers a
plethora of recreational facilities. Play a game of tennis, baseball,
or basketball at Peace Memorial Park. Relax in the whirlpool, play
some squash, or catch a live theatre performance at the Wainwright and
District Communiplex. The Peace Memorial Multiplex offers 2 NHL-size
ice surfaces, an indoor running track, and a climbing wall. Challenge
yourself to a round of golf at the Wainwright Golf and Country Club.
If you’re looking for some real action be sure to take in the
Wainwright Stampede. Whatever your reason for visiting, be it history
or recreation, Wainwright is packed with things to see and do.
Town
of Wainwright
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