GRPF memberships make ideal gift that keeps giving

If you are still doing some last minute Christmas shopping and are looking for a unique gift, the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (GRPF) may have just the item you are looking for.

GRPF memberships are on sale for 2015 for $35 for an individual or $50 for a family. The membership is for a full year that will run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015.

“Buying a membership is a great way to support the park and it is a great Christmas gift. There is a lot of value for it, ” said Tara McFadden, community engagement and development officer with the GRPF. “It is all about doing things a little bit differently out here at the Glenbow Ranch. ”

McFadden said there are a number of great benefits from having a membership.

The first is that members will get free admission to the park talks that GRPF offer. Past topics have included grasslands, raptor migration and coyote research.

McFadden also said that members get a discount on all of the park's programs, which include activities such as photography courses, golf cart tours and weekend family programs.

Members get the benefit of perks from the GRPF perks partners. McFadden said they have around 20 vendors in Cochrane and surrounding area that offer deals to the GRPF members. Some of these partners include Big Sky Landscaping, Trailblazers and Portifino Italian Ristorante.

She said members would get a card with their name on it that they could show at partner locations, and that the businesses are identified by decals on their windows and are also listed on the GRPF website.

As a member you also are updated on what is going on at the park through an e-newsletter. McFadden said through this letter members would be notified of the popular park talks before the general public.

“A benefit of the membership is that you get to contribute to the great work that we're doing, ” added McFadden.

Some of this great work includes science and research in the park as well as the upcoming Bearspaw Trail connection to the City of Calgary's Haskayne Legacy Park.

Memberships can be purchased online at grpf.ca or by printing and mailing in a form.

For more information call 403-851-9053.