What Red Deer is known for

The Red Deer Region is filled with a variety of summer and winter attractions for families and individuals. The Bower Ponds are large ponds that freeze over during the winter and offer ice-skating and sledding down the surrounding slopes. When the ponds are not frozen, visitors can rent paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks to go out on the large ponds. The Bower Ponds property also has multiple waterfalls, bike rentals, trailheads, a pavilion, and a family-friendly cafe. Heritage Park Historical Village covers over 127 acres of land in the region as it falls beside the Glenmore Reservoir. The museum is Canada's second-largest living history museum. Prince's Island Park is an island within the Bow River. The island was named after Peter Anthony Prince, and visitors will often visit to hike around the island and fish off its shores. 

Calgary Folk Music Festival and Shakespear Park are held partially in the Red Deer Region. For couples looking for a romantic getaway Heritage Ranch has a large private dining area with scenic views and moody lighting. The scenic ranch also offers guided horseback rides, carriage rides and boasts a large wedding venue. The Gull Lake is located within the Red Deer Region and is used primarily for fishing, but watersport boating and swimming off the lake shores are common. The Canyon Ski Resort draws thousands of tourists to the region every year. The resort is located on the Red Deer River banks and has many features for all types of snow sports. There is a tube tow and multiple lifts for ski and snowboarders. The main lodge has a restaurant and many resort-type amenities, including a spa, sauna, and bar. Around five thousand people and enter and exit the city of Red Deer every day.[1] 

Most visitors to the destination come from big cities to spend time in the quiet countryside-style city and community. Lancombe and Blackfalds are two small towns also located within the region's borders.[2] The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is located near the region, and the Red Deer River was the meeting place for many pelt traders and Indians in the 1800s. The Red Deer Region boats one of the busiest regional airports in Alberta.[1] Summer is famous for its comfortable temperatures and green forests and hills. Visitors will spend time discovering nature and relaxing on the rivers and lakes. Winter is popular among more out-of-province visitors. They will come from other provinces within Canada or the United States to stay at the winter resorts for the cold weather and snowy mountainsides.[3] 

The industry in Red Deer Region is primarily agricultural. The area is known for producing large amounts of grain, oil, and natural gas. Cattle farms are all over the region, and a large portion of Alberta's agricultural and oil production comes from farms and manufacturing plants within Red Deer Region.[2]

Geography

The Red Deer Region is located in the foothill ridges above the Rocky Mountain Mountain Range. Aspen parkland, meadows, and many mountainous areas spread throughout the foothills. The dry areas within the region are filled with mixed grasses and prairie shrubbery. Fertile farmland fills every inch of the Red Deer Region, and the rich soil is used for all sorts of agricultural purposes. The borders of the destination lie around Buffalo Lake, Gull Lake, and Norglenwold Sylvan Lake. Red Deer is the largest city in the region, but some small towns are located throughout the 121-mile area. It takes an hour and a half to drive across the destination by car.[6] 

Over 587 different animal species are in the area. Moose, grizzly, black bears, elk, bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, lynx, coyotes, and wolves are commonly seen in wildlife throughout the region.[4] Because of there, fertile land vegetables grow quickly and well in the area. Beets, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes, and pumpkins are produced most often. Native plants include lodgepole pine, white spruce, aspen poplar, berries, and many wildflowers and shrubbery varieties.[5] 

Summers in the Red Deer Region are long and warm, usually lasting from May to September with an average temperature of sixty-three degrees. Winters are cold and strong winds are expected. The peak of winter usually lasts from November to March, with an average temperature of thirty-two degrees. The region is partly cloudy year-round and receives around three inches of rain annually. During the winter months, it snows daily, typically about three inches a day. The wind blows on average seven miles per hour throughout the year and is windiest from February to April.[3]

History

European fur traders passed through the Red Deer Region often as it was initially grazing land for bison and natives. The region was primarily a gathering area for aboriginal tribes such as the Plains Cree, Blackfoot, and Stoney Indians. The name Red Deer came from the Cree people who called the river running through the town Red Deer River.[1] 

Old Red Deer Crossing was a crossing point on the river leading from Montana to Calgary and Edmonton.[6] It was well used by traders, natives, explorers, and settlers. When Fort Calgary was built, there was a need for an in-between point of Calgary and Edmonton, so the Canadian Pacific Railway made a stop in Red Deer. Soon after the station stop was built, a trading post, grocery store, and boarding house were built to hold overnight travelers and keep suppliers for locals. 

In 1885 Riel Rebellion built Fort Normandeau in the region, and the area became more popular. When the fertile land was discovered, many farmers and ranchers gravitated to the area to build businesses and grow more produce. In 1901 Red Deer was proclaimed a town. The 1900s brought a large influx of British and French settlers. The community grew quickly once the ideal farmland was discovered.[1] The primary industry coming out of the Red Deer Region is agriculture, animal production, oil manufacturing, and natural gas fields.