Battalion Park facts for kids
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| Established | 3 November 1991 |
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| Location | Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Signal Hill |
| Type | geoglyphs |
Battalion Park is a special place in southwest Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It's on Signal Hill, looking over the Tsuu T'ina Nation. This park honors Albertan soldiers who fought bravely in the First World War.
The park is famous for its four huge numbers made from white stones. These numbers are 137, 113, 151, and 51. There are about 16,000 stones in total! You can see these numbers from many parts of the city. They represent different army groups called battalions. A geoglyph is a large design or picture made on the ground, often by arranging stones or other natural materials.
Contents
Where is Battalion Park?
Battalion Park covers about 93 hectares (that's like 230 football fields!) on Signal Hill. It's north of the Elbow River, near the Westhills shopping area, on the west side of Calgary.
The Story of Battalion Park
Training Soldiers for War
Before the First World War, in the summer of 1914, the Canadian military rented land from the Tsuu T'ina Nation (then called the Sarcee Indian Reserve). This area became known as Sarcee Camp. It was the only place in Alberta where soldiers could train for the war.
Many soldiers trained here from before the First World War until the 1990s. About 45,000 men trained at Sarcee Camp, making it Canada's largest military training center during the war. Soldiers came from all over Alberta, staying in tents. It took a full day to ride from Calgary to the camp.
How the Stone Numbers Were Made
As part of their training, army engineers mapped the area. Each army group, or unit, wanted to show where they were. So, soldiers collected stones from the river, about 2 kilometers away. They carried these stones in sacks by hand during their free time.
Several military units worked together to create the huge numbers. The stones were gathered from the river and carried to the site as a training exercise. Four special groups, called battalions, trained here: the Calgary, Lethbridge, Central Alberta, and Edmonton battalions.
Battalions and Their Numbers
After their training, these battalions went overseas to fight in the First World War.
- The 151st (Central Alberta) Battalion trained at Sarcee Camp from late 1915 to late 1916.
- The 137th (Calgary) Battalion trained from late 1915 to mid-1916. They went to Europe in August 1916. After the war, the soldiers who survived would meet at the park until the 1960s. They would weed and repaint the stones of their battalion number.
- The 113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders) trained from May to September 1916. They used painted rocks to build their number on Signal Hill.
- The 51st Battalion (Edmonton) also trained at Sarcee Army Camp in 1915.
Rediscovering the Numbers
After the battalions left, the stone numbers were almost forgotten. Shrubs and grass grew over them, hiding them from view. Then, a local historian found them. This happened before the hill was graded to prevent erosion and allow for new buildings.
It took many years of hard work by cadet units, especially the 157th Battalion in Calgary, to get the site recognized as a historical place. The stones were kept safe by a company called Stewart Green Properties Ltd until they could be put back. The park was officially opened on November 3, 1991.
Remembering the Battalions Today
Some of these old battalions are still remembered by modern army reserve units:
- The 51st Battalion is remembered by the Loyal Edmonton Regiment.
- The 137th Battalion is remembered by the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC).
- The 113th Battalion is remembered by the South Alberta Light Horse.
What You Can See at the Park
The main part of Battalion Park is the large, white stone numbers on the side of the hill. These numbers are 137, 113, 151, and 51. About 16,000 stones were used to create these numbers.
The numbers 137, 151, and 51 are close together. However, the number "113" is a bit further away. It's still in its original spot, on a high ridge, just as it was made between July and August 1916. The other numbers had to be moved from their first locations because of new roads and buildings.
The "113" number is on a piece of land about 0.265 hectares big. Each number in "113" is about 36.5 meters long and between 1.8 and 3.7 meters wide.
The park also has walkways up the hill, with paths, wooden boardwalks, and stairs. There are even ramps for bicycles! You'll find a "lookout landing" where you can enjoy the view. Along the paths, there are signs that tell you more about the numbers and different parts of the First World War.
Honoring the Soldiers
Young cadets often visit Battalion Park to honor the soldiers. For example, 104 cadets once gathered at the park's monument. They put up a plaque to remember their ancestors who fought in the First World War in 1915 and 1916. The plaque lists the names of the battalions. On this day, the cadets also helped repaint the stone numbers.
Members of the King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) also visit the memorial every Remembrance Day. They remember the brave soldiers of the 137th (Calgary) Battalion CEF and hold a special ceremony.
See also
In Spanish: Parque Battalion para niños
- Hillside letters
- Military history of Canada
- Fovant Badges
