At the April 7 Committee of the Whole meeting, Cochrane Council provided feedback on the top three options to commemorate the Grandfather Tree, with the idea of creating a commemorative bench emerging as the unanimous favourite.
Being a couple of months removed from the devastating windstorm that had claimed one of Cochrane’s natural landmarks, the Town of Cochrane has been assessing options to best commemorate the fallen Grandfather Tree.
Dozens of suggestions were narrowed down and Michelle Delorme, Director of Parks & Active Living presented the top three courses of action to Council at the April 7 meeting:
- Sell keychains made of the tree’s wood and direct proceeds to Environmental Task Force programming.
- Incorporate tree wood to a bench installed at the Grandfather Tree site.
- Collaborate with local author, Shannon Bradley to publish a children’s book about the Grandfather Tree. Make the book available to the Cochrane Public Library and local school libraries. Sell the books and direct proceeds to Environmental Task Force programming.
“Lots of great ideas,” said Coun. Susan Flowers. “People are quite passionate about this. It would be nice to have a plaque or some explanation along with [the bench].”
Councillors Patrick Wilson and Morgan Nagel both supported the bench as their top pick.
“If I were to rank them priority-wise it’d be bench, book, keychains,” said Nagel. “The reason that I put those [keychains] third is they would be something that wouldn’t be that public. It would be consumed and then disappear.”
“The bench would be a really nice touch in terms of our community, and I think the book would complement that and highlight it as an attraction,” said Coun. Alex Reed. “I just put caution to it in relation to the number of people who might visit that.”
Reed expressed his concern that having an attraction such as the bench would increase potential traffic to the trails around the area causing wear and tear.
“I think of the dog park down by the river and how that’s been over loved, so I’m concerned about the traffic [the bench] would generate through there.”
Another concern raised at the meeting was the allocation of proceeds from the sales of potential books and keychains.
“We have the Cochrane Environmental Action Group,” said Coun. Marni Fedeyko. “I’m just wondering why we’re taking all the funds that would possibly support something that’s town led elsewhere.”
Delorme addressed the concern, stating that the administration can search for a different allocation of the proceeds and present it at a future meeting.
Community feedback has played a major role in shaping the commemorative plan. Since late January, the Town’s Parks and Active Living team has gathered resident input through a special mailbox and community journal, receiving 45 email suggestions and numerous others through written submission.
“The community’s response has been heartfelt and inspiring,” said Delorme. “Many suggestions focused on integrating the tree into future public art or commemorative spaces.”
Submitted ideas were all taken into consideration and were divided into three categories: on-site, handcrafted items, and interactive & informative.
Some of the suggestions included:
- Adding a bench, stumps/stools, or natural sitting stones as a place for residents to rest.
- Creating birdhouses from the tree wood - placed near the site to continue supporting local wildlife.
- Displaying a history chart using a tree ring "cookie", marking significant events in Cochrane and Alberta history over the tree's lifespan
In addition to discussed action at the meeting, administration has been working with the artists developing the public art at The Station. At no additional cost to the overall art development, a preserved section of the Grandfather Tree will be encased in resin and integrated into a sculpture currently in development.
A mosaic design will also be revised to incorporate the Grandfather Tree, enhancing the connection to its historical and cultural significance.
Discussions about the Grandfather Tree commemoration will resume at the council meeting on May 12.
