Alberta’s historic ranching lifestyle will be on display this season starting Monday, but with some significant changes.
The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is among several Parks Canada facilities opening June 1 - two weeks later than the usual Victoria Day weekend - but it will come with limited services and access in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s going to be a different visit to the Bar U,” said Mike McLean, special projects officer. “In the face of what’s happening we want to make sure it’s safe for our visitors and our staff as well.”
While public restrooms will be available, visitors will not be allowed access to any of the historic buildings or the gift shop. In addition, neither food services nor the wagon shuttle that takes visitors from the visitors centre to the historic buildings will be provided until further notice, said McLean.
“It’s something we’re going to miss, but we’re going to be able to offer the wonderful vistas that we have out here and visitors are going to have a great connection to the story of ranching,” he said.
The historic ranch, located 13 km south of Longview off the Cowboy Trail, showcases the ranching lifestyle dating back to the late 1800s.
In a typical season, visitors can tour the historic buildings, watch demonstrations and take in annual activities ranging from a stew cook-off to an old time ranch rodeo.
In accordance with Alberta Health Services guidelines, McLean said group activities, special events and facility rentals are suspended this season and visitors will be required to practise physical distancing protocols.
Visitors must be more prepared than in past years by bringing their own food, water and sanitation items, and wear appropriate clothing in the event of inclement weather, said McLean.
“With all of the buildings closed down on site, if we get a sudden thundershower come in it’s going to be more challenging,” he said. “It’s going to take more planning. Bring your water bottle, some food, appropriate clothing and any of the safety items.”
McLean this season’s precautions are all about public and staff safety.
“All of us really want to make sure that we’re safe so we had followed Parks Canada’s lead in coming up with a way of offering some limited services and accessibility to the national historic sites,” he said. “It’s nice for us all to have a chance to get out in an open air situation and just explore our vistas while we’re practising our physical distancing.”
Safety information will be posted throughout the visitors centre and historic site reminding people about physical distancing and safe hygiene practices, said McLean.
“It’s just something we’re living with. If we’re going to go forward we have to make sure everybody is going to be safe.”
McLean said the delayed opening had no effect on staff. Essential employees remained on site to feed the animals and care for the grounds while other staff worked from home.
“It’s just like any ranch,” he said. “The work always continues.”
Staff have been working on developing a six-kilometre natural grass and gravel walking trail that will bring visitors to buildings most people wouldn’t normally see, as well as viewpoints that highlight the historic irrigation ditch, riparian zone, Pekisko Creek and grasslands.
The trail, which is expected to be ready for use in early summer, leads to three historic buildings: a bunkhouse ranch workers slept in that now serves as a self-feeder for cattle, a historical wood-framed hog barn that was built while George Lane owned and operated the ranch in the 1920s and a boar shed.
“It’s a brand new way to experience the Bar U,” said McLean.
Anyone planning to visit the Bar U Ranch is encouraged to check out its website to learn about precautions to take before visiting and updates about the historic site.
The site will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For updated information, follow our COVID-19 special section for the latest local and national news on the coronavirus pandemic, as well as resources, FAQs and more.
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