Photo credit: Ali Hadikin
Program Overview
Rick Spooner Memorial Park, often referred to as Spooner Park, is a Cranbrook park located on 17 Ave N. The park had been under the care of Mainstreams since 2012 and was inherited by Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook upon their retirement.
At Spooner Park, we focus on mitigating the growth of invasive species and preserving the riparian area on the Joseph Creek shoreline. The park is also conveniently situated by Mount Baker Secondary School, offering students the opportunity to learn about water science including stream ecology and watersheds, water monitoring methods, and planting vegetation.
Program Opportunities
Care of the park is done by generous volunteers. We plan to host weed pulls, education events, and planting events at Spooner Park in the spring and fall of 2023.
If you have questions about getting involved, please contact Christel Hagn: kimcranapples@wildsight.ca.
Photo credit: Megan MacPhee, Stewart Wilson
Park History
On August 20, 1998, the park formerly known as the Associated Canadian Travellers (ACT) Park was renamed as ACT Rick Spooner Memorial Park in honour of their late past club president, Rick Spooner (1927-1998). Having moved to Cranbrook with his wife Dora in 1955, Rick dedicated a great deal of his time to creating the community as we know it today. Alongside his day-to-day role as Manager of the Cranbrook Mall, Rick was Citizen of the Year in 1975 and Chairman of Sam Steele Days (now known as Spirit of the Rockies) — having organized the fireworks shows from 1967 to 1997. A list of Rick’s community involvement includes, but is in no way limited to:
- Organized Sportsman Dinners as fundraisers for the Cranbrook Royals Booster Club
- Officer and Chairman of the ACT, having built the bathtub used by the Cavemen to raise funds
- Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission
- Chairman of the Group of Service Clubs organized to raise funds for the first indoor swimming pool
- While manager of the Cranbrook Mall he started the Santa Claus parade
- 1973 Citizenship Award by the City of Cranbrook for his years as Co-Chairman, Chairman, and Director of the Sam Steele Citizens Committee
Ultimately, all of Rick’s efforts led to him receiving a Certificate of Merit from the Government of Canada in 1988 in recognition of his contributions to the Cranbrook we now call home. To this day, Dora, their daughters Lynn and Judy, and their families enjoy spending time in Rick Spooner Memorial Park celebrating their father.
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Thanks to the Regional District of East Kootenay, the Province of British Columbia, and
Columbia Basin Trust for funding support in 2023!
