A NEW ALBERTA EQUINE CAMPGROUND

A NEW RUSTIC ALBERTA EQUINE CAMPGROUND

A Question & Answer session with Norm Spencer, AEF’s project lead of a new rustic equestrian campground in southern Alberta, set to open to the public this June.

BY JENN WEBSTER, WITH NORM SPENCER

Work on the project began in November 2020 (contracts and planning) and wrapped up in March 2022. The campground is set to open June 2022.

In recent years, the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) acquired a $150,000 grant from Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) to complete a special project. The grant was used to create a place where horses and riders can overnight in a safe, rustic, equestrian-oriented campground in Castle Provincial Park. Located in southwest Alberta, adjacent to the South Syncline Staging Area on Highway 774 (which runs from Beaver Mines to the Castle Mountain Ski Hill in Castle Provincial Park), this new campground for horse folk will open its doors to the public in June 2022.

Norm Spencer is on the AEF recreation committee and was the project manager for the campground. His role in this development of the equestrian-friendly park consisted of coordinating site planning, construction, mitigations, and sign-offs, and he had to arrange for environmental reviews to be completed by a third party. There were several other tasks Spencer was responsible for as well, making him an excellent resource on the new space. We had a chance to ask Spencer several questions about the project, regarding what equestrians might be able to expect in 2022. Here’s what he had to say…

AB BITS Please tell me about this new equestrian campground. What is the name?

SPENCER That is a very good question. Initially the AEF used the name “Castle Rustic Equestrian Campground,” but as work progressed, it was frequently referred to as South Syncline Equestrian Campground. It is my understanding that Alberta Environment and Parks is still considering an official name.

AB BITS Where is the campground located?

SPENCER It is located in southwest Alberta, adjacent to the South Syncline Staging Area on Highway 774.

AB BITS How big is it?

SPENCER The campground has capacity for 11 medium to large truck and horse trailer units.

AB BITS What amenities does the campground have?

SPENCER There are gravelled pullthrough lanes designed for specific directional traffic flow, five horse pens, two high-lines, three hitching posts,

Left: The addition of a water well with hand pump will make it easier to water livestock. right: The new equestrian campground boasts five horse pens, two high-lines, and three hitching posts.

community fire pits, a warming hut, a hand-operated water well, nonpotable water for fire protection and livestock, garbage facilities, toilets and an innovative portable manure waste management container (bring a wheelbarrow or cart when you camp here).

AB BITS I understand the AEF received a grant from Alberta Environment and Parks to do the project. Can you tell us any more about this?

SPENCER - Yes, Alberta Environment and Parks provided a “sole source funding contract” to AEF to plan and construct a front-country Rustic Equestrian Campground in Castle Provincial Park. The agreement included AEF being responsible for planning and construction, while Alberta Environment and Parks would continue to be the owner, and thus responsible for the management, operation, maintenance, and upkeep of the facility.

AB BITS How long did it take to complete the project? What needed to be done?

SPENCER The vision of an equestrian campground in this area emerged in the summer of 2020. Contract development – which included project deliverables, budget, and roles for AEF – was agreed and signed upon in November 2020. During the period of January 2021 through May 2021, detailed plans, budgets, and scope work was completed with the environmental contractors. Environmental assessment studies on the site were conducted in June and August 2021. After confirming existing utility locations, construction began in late September 2021. Work performed included site vegetation clearing, cutting/disposal and earth moving/ disposal to an AEP materials site. Approved gravel was brought in and placed for the roadway and lanes which involved placing, distributing, packing, and testing for firmness. Coinciding with the earthwork, fencing and construction of the horse pens, entrance gates, high-lines, and hitching posts was completed. The major work was completed and demobilization occurred in midOctober 2021. Additions to the project (for instance the water well with hand pump), occurred later in the fall of 2021. The portable manure containers were completed in March 2022. The campground is scheduled to open June 2022.

AB BITS What is so special about this campground and what is there for horse owners?

to this campground, the central location provides easy access to the Syncline Trail Network as well as connecting trails into the South Castle back country, the West Castle back country, and the Carbondale back country. The camping area will be managed to the same standard as the other Rustic Camping Nodes in the area, but will be exclusively available to equestrian users. And let’s not forget the most deluxe horse manure management system of any campground in Alberta!

AB BITS Any other comments you would like to add?

SPENCER This has been an excellent opportunity for AEF to collaborate with AEP and to contribute our expertise and experience in creating new facilities and new opportunities for equestrians in Alberta. What has been achieved is a well-planned and well-constructed equestrian campground that will provide equestrian users a dedicated facility to enjoy in Castle Provincial Park in southwest Alberta. This unique campground is the first of its type in Castle Provincial Park and it is expected to attract many users. With a destination campground for equestrians in this area, it will contribute not only to greater appreciation of the park and its existing trail system, but also to the economy of the local communities and businesses located adjacent to the park. AB