Parneet B.

Calgary, Alberta

Calgary Regional Heritage School Fair

Banff National Park

Banff is a National Park reserved in 1885 by the federal government and is also Canada’s first established national park. It was discovered by railroad workersin 1883 and knowing that tourist would soon come to visit Banff (which was known as “Rocky Mountain Park” at the time), the government decided to build the Banff Springs Hotel as well as a series of roads and bridges. It was around 1886 when Rocky Mountain Park’s name was changed to Banff National Park. Banff now covers an area of 6,641 square kilometers and around eight million people visit Banff annually.

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

Something I learned that other Canadians should know about Banff National Park. One thing that I've learned is that for Canada's 150th birthday, Parks Canada is giving free admission for anyone wanting to visit any national park in Canada. Another thing is that Banff National Park is Canada’s first National Park. It has hot springs and the famous Lake Louise as well as wildflowers and wild animals and many things that might not even be discovered yet, hiding in the shadows and the tips of the Rockies.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

There are many things I learned about Banff while doing this project but one thing is that Banff’s hot springs are what was discovered was found first but, before I did this project, I always thought that Lake Louise was what was found first. The park was discovered by railroad workers while they were building the CPR train tracks. They discovered the Cave and Basin which are natural hot springs in 1883.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

The lives of people in the 1800s are a lot different than the lives of people now. Today, people visit many of Banff's attractions such as the mountains or the Cave and Basin, but back in the 1800s, the people would be living harder lives. Some would be working on the railroad or out in the valley hunting where Banff is now. Life was definitely different back then, then it is now but the one thing that hasn't changed is Banff's beauty.