The Grand Opening of Wayside Memorial Park in Two Hills Alberta

Mother Nature provided a picture perfect day for the Grand Opening of Wayside Memorial Park in Two Hills Alberta on July 16th, 2016.

Wayside Memorial Park, a place of peace and reflection is situated on just under 2 acres of land and was formerly a provincial rest area.

Located on highway 45, it’s only a short half-kilometer putt into Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community of the 2015-riding season, Two Hills Alberta!

An enormous amount of work has gone into the park with trees having been planted, the old cook house converted into a chapel replete with a wrap around deck for hosting BBQ’s, meetings and memorials.

There are two outhouses on the property, both of which have had a facelift. One has been made wheelchair accessible. All of the existing buildings have new roofs and fresh paint. A new storage shed holds enough tables and chairs for 100 people, over and above the seating available on the deck.

A new gravel driveway wraps around the chapel, and it is anticipated that the driveway could be paved by next year when the Fallen Riders Monument is unveiled during the 10th Anniversary Run to the Hills Memorial Rally in 2017.

Bob Ross, coordinator/cofounder of
Run to the Hills Memorial Rally and
Wayside Memorial Park

Bob Ross and his cofounder Mark Kussmann were both on hand for this very special dedication, however Bob is the one who spoke about the park and it’s meaning with Mark preferring to stay behind the lenses of his camera.

Pastor Wes and his wife performed the dedication and then Town of Two Hills CAO Elsie Howanyk served as the emcee introducing the dignitaries who were on hand to commemorate the park and congratulate Bob for this impressive accomplishment.

Acting Mayor of Two Hills, Sonny Rajoo

Acting Mayor, Sunny Rajoo made a very emotional and moving speech where he welcomed all of the riders and spoke of Bob’s determination and hard work and the support that the community, both its residents and businesses have offered to the accomplishment of opening the park.

He thanked Bob Ross, Mark Kussmann and the volunteers that are involved with the Run to the Hills Memorial Rally, those who got in on the voting for Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community and those who have stepped up to embrace the riding community.

Town of Two Hills CAO Elsie Howanyk

As Sonny expressed it has been a win – win situation for all. The businesses benefit from the traffic, the community benefits from the beautification of a park that was once an eyesore, not to mention other supports the rally has paid for like toilets at the Ag Society grounds and a defibrillator for the arena. And lastly the riding community benefits because it has a welcoming community and a gorgeous park to remember our fallen.

The Reeve of Two Hills County, Allen Sayler 

The Reeve of Two Hills County, Allen Sayler mirrored Acting Mayor Rajoo’s sentiments suggesting that the benefits of having more riders coming to Two Hills more frequently has benefited the entire county and region.

MLA David Hanson

MLA Brian Hanson of the Wildrose Party said that he was proud to have been born in Two Hills and was glad to see that it has finally gotten recognition for its friendly and accepting ways.

Conservative MP for the region, Shannon Stubbs is strongly tied to Two Hills with an office there, not to mention Shannon also lives in the Two Hills region. She too expressed her gratitude to Bob, Mark and the riding community for embracing the Town of Two Hills as the special place it is.

MP Shannon Stubbs

The very attractive chapel and memorial park are ready and waiting for riders and their families alongside riding clubs to come out and use them.

You can call Bob Ross at (780) 603-3008 or email him at runtothehillsrally@yahoo.ca to have the chapel opened for you or to discuss your needs for tables, chairs, camping etc. for a memorial you may wish to host.

The Fallen Riders Monument that will be the focal point of the park will be unveiled during the Run to The Hills Memorial Rally, July 14th-16th, 2017.

To see more photos of Wayside Memorial Park, the gorgeous little chapel and the dedication ceremony visit: https://plus.google.com/+BeltDriveBettyMC/posts/LDJi7cypbKm

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you, and PLEASE consider dressing for the slide and not the ride...

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

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