At Monday's (Mar. 14) meeting, Okotoks town council was presented with a concept plan for developing a 28-acre parcel of land.

The riverfront land, formerly the Okotoks Bible Camp, was purchased by the town in 2019.

Council previously approved of a placeholder project during budget talks in November 2021, with design to take place this year and construction to commence from 2023-2024.

Funding will be phased over three years (2022-2024.)

Recommended uses and activities for the park include picnicking areas, disc golf, a playground, a skating trail, and a pathway to take advantage of the area's proximity to the river.

Activities not recommended included sports courts, a skate park, and as an off-leash dog park.

At the moment, the area is zoned as Natural Areas, with the Natural Asset Inventory guiding concept planning for the area.

The area is assumed to largely lie in the flood fringe (flood mapping has not been completed) and as such, the concept plan was formulated under the assumption that floodwaters may affect the area at a later date, with infrastructure and design elements reflecting that.

The plan was also informed by the Traditional Knowledge Use and Assessment and consultation with Okotoks' Indigenous stakeholders, who have also been invited to suggest names for the park.

Public consultation is expected at a later date.

A map of the area and the full concept plan are available to view.