Photo of Saratoga Park in the early 1960s (Courtesy of City of Medicine Hat)

By Alex McCuaig

At bottom of Scholten Hill

City recognizes Saratoga Park with historic area designation

Nov 17, 2020 | 4:05 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – After several years of work, Saratoga Park is now recognized as a municipal historic area following a vote during Monday’s city council meeting.

“Such a positive step forward for our local Métis community,” said Coun. Jamie McIntosh. “We have so many people who live in this community today who have a strong connection to people who lived there for many years.”

The area along the Seven Persons Creek where it meets what is now Scholten Hill was for decades an informal neighbourhood comprised of Métis and Indigenous peoples starting in the early 20^th century.

Homes in the neighbourhood were gradually bulldozed over the years by the city until the last remaining resident, Henry Aaker, moved in 2010 from his small bungalow on Elevator Street – a street now part of the city’s trail system.

Though a historic settlement, many residents of the community did not hold title to the land their homes were built on and city utilities provided to the neighbourhood were limited.

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McIntosh says like the preservation of the Saamis Archaeological Site, the move to recognize Saratoga Park is a step toward reconciliation.

“We as a community must do a better job recognizing that and I think the city has shown it’s not just words but it’s actions to start that process,” said McIntosh.