The newest Heritage Park exhibit promises to take visitors on a walk back in time.

The exhibit, dubbed That Special Place We Call Heritage Park: 60 Years of Community, officially opened to the public during a ceremony held March 25 at Gasoline Alley on the park grounds.

The exhibit includes recollections from both staff and volunteers, objects from the park’s collection, and photographs documenting the park’s last six decades. It marks the unofficial start of the park’s 60th anniversary celebrations. The display is portioned into areas that focus on the staff, visitor memories, clothes and outfits and other past relics, and comes with a timeline along the floor.

“This exhibit opening is more than just a reflection on our past,” said Lindsey Galloway, President and CEO of Heritage Park.

“It’s a celebration of community.”

The exhibit is intended to awaken people’s memories of the park over the past 60 years. It also encourages those who walk through to share their memories and experiences to be shared with future generations.

“When you walk through the exhibit, I hope that you see the growth of Heritage Park alongside the growth of Calgary and learn all about the different people,” said Sarah Edwards, director of programming and experience.

“It really does take a village to make a historical village.”

Variety of events planned to mark 60 years at Heritage Park

Jim Heaton, fund development coordinator, recalled being at the park on opening day in 1964.

“I remember that first day with my aunt, uncle, my mother and dad, going through and it was all ‘remember that’?” said Heaton.

“Anytime family came in from anywhere in the country, their first trip was to Heritage Park every time because it was all memories.”

Heritage Park will also be welcoming new events, as well as returning favorites to help celebrate the park’s 60th year.

The park will be welcoming back the pancake breakfast, as well as rejoining the 2024 Calgary Stampede parade. A children’s festival, a vow renewal day, Oktoberfest and a world record round dance on Truth and Reconciliation Day are also on the calendar this year.

“It is a year to celebrate our community spirit, to celebrate our shared history,” said Galloway.

“We’ll be creating memories for children who will talk about them 60 years from now.”