The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society
The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society was founded in 1995 to preserve the Bow Valley Ranche and this historic landmark in Calgary. Established in 1873 and located in Fish Creek Provincial Park, the Bow Valley Ranche brings together recreational and entertainment areas, interpretive walks, and education stewardship opportunities for students, the community, and the general public. It seeks to honour our heritage and culture, which is vital to our community.
The main feature of the site is the Ranche house, which was built in 1896 by William Roper Hull. The house has now been converted into a fine-dining restaurant called The Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant. Nearby are also Annie’s Café, the Native Species Garden, Artisan Gardens, Branded Patio, and a new attraction for 2017, the Poetry Legacy Garden.
The Artisan Gardens and the Branded Patio reflect the Society’s vision to share the rich history of the Fish Creek Valley through art. It provides a special opportunity for people interested in creating their own legacy through their one-of-a-kind works. These serene, educational, and interpretive gardens feature quiet pathways, wooden benches, an intimate period gazebo, a mini amphitheater, historical gas lampposts, sandstone boulders, an original lodgepole pine teepee, bronze sculptures, art sculptures, and native plants, shrubs and trees.
Art sponsor ‘Stephen Spencer’ Home on the Range by Wendy Palmer
Artisan Gardens
The Artisan Gardens honours the First Nations people who prior to 1890 inhabited the Fish Creek Valley. This unique, permanent art gallery in nature features 175 works of art by 75 Canadian artists, of which 6 are Indigenous people. The Artisan Gardens reflects three themes: First Nations, family, and the natural environment of Fish Creek Valley. Surrounding a 21-ft stainless steel teepee, the amphitheater-like seating features 12 benches with three-sided arrowhead monolith ends. Each bench showcases pieces of original art that use mediums such as oils, acrylics, stone, copper, metals, and mosaics.
Branded Patio
This patio showcases all of the brands of Senator Patrick Burns’ empire and 87 mosaic stepping stones in a wagon-wheel design, which is reflective of a long-gone era. Individually designed by people just like you, each mosaic provides an opportunity for you and your children – the Ranche hands of the future! – to create special memories and a unique family legacy.
Poetry Legacy Garden
The Poetry Legacy Garden is a new area in the native gardens that features a 20-ft. hand-carved Poet Tree. This tall and unique structure features an open book at the top with book ends working their way to the base where a small exchange library is situated. It offers students an opportunity for book exchanges and showcases poems written by Alberta students. In 2017 the themes for the poems are 150 Historical Albertans. Additionally, there will be a variety of 20 individual-sized wooden benches situated in the area available for seating. The Legacy Poetry Garden will encourage creativity in writing, enhance literacy, and provide a teaching facility for a variety of literary and academic programs.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Visitors to The Bow Valley Ranche are encouraged to be a part of these diverse, meaningful legacy opportunities. By creating a lasting and personal legacy, your gift ensures that Alberta’s history, culture, and the arts are honoured and represented in a distinctive and significant way. All our valued sponsors will receive a charitable tax receipt and recognition that reflects their level of contribution. There are various levels, including Poet Tree Legacy Garden benches available for dedication starting at $3500. We are grateful for any and all donations. Please visit our web site, bowvalleyranche.com, to learn more about the sponsorship.
The Bow Valley Ranche Learning Centre
In the fall of 2015, after celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society, we opened our Learning Centre by presenting 12 historical curriculums for grades 4, 5 and 7 students. These are presented by our History Wrangler, Rob Lennard, and presented in both French and English at the beautiful Artisan Gardens. Annual celebrations include Alberta’s birthday party on September 1st and Winterfest, which is held in January each year.
Volunteers Make it Happen
The Ranche at Fish Creek Restoration Society is volunteer based. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Bow Valley Ranche, please visit bowvalleyranche.com/volunteer. Funds raised through donations and sponsorships go directly into our programs. We are proud to be partner with Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, at the Shaw Charity Classic Golf Tournament, August 29 – September 2, 2018, at Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club. To donate please visit
shawcharityclassic.com/donate/rancheatfishcreek.
By: Larry Wasyliw
