Lacombe County is holding grand openings for two recreation areas today, both made possible by donated land.

The public gathered this morning to celebrate Anderson Park, a yawning expanse of greenspace located on the east side of Gull Lake adjacent to New Saratoga and Wilson’s Beach.

There are trails, basketball and volleyball courts, a disc-golf course, an amphitheatre and gazebo. As well, kids can dig through the park’s paleontology pit in search of “dinosaur bones” hidden beneath the sand. In one corner of the park, there are even percussion instruments, including a glockenspiel. At one point, a boat launch was planned.

It was former county resident Jack Anderson who saw the need for such an amenity and donated 10.5 hectares of land to Lacombe County on the condition that it would be used for a park.

“It was evident to me there was no day park at Gull Lake. There was no place for people to picnic, spend the day and then go home,” Anderson said.

Jack Anderson donated 10.5 hectares of land for Anderson Park.

Anderson attended today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. He said he was pleased with what the county has built.

Elsewhere, the county unveiled the Mary and Cliff Soper Natural Area, a 10-hectare spot located east of the Blackfalds Bottle Depot.

The Sopers intended the land to be kept in its natural state. The area includes walking trails and a parking lot.

Donations like these are rare, said county reeve Paula Law, adding the county honours the requests made by donors on what to do with the lands.

On Aug. 23, the county will hold a grand opening for Sandy Point Beach.

Walking trails at Anderson Park.