Corlaine Gardner is retiring at the end of 2021 after 15 years and chief interpreter and 11 more as part interpreter. (Photo Courtesy Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

'I don't actually live here'

Chief interpreter Corlaine Gardner is retiring but says she’ll still be a frequent face at Police Point Park

Oct 28, 2021 | 5:30 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Corlaine Gardner says things are always changing at Police Point Park, even though they may not be obvious to most people.

One obvious change coming though.

After 15 years as chief interpreter Gardner is retiring at the end of the year. Add to that 11 years as park interpreter and people could be forgiven for getting the wrong impression.

“I actually don’t live here, although some people think I do,” she said recently, adding she’ll clear out her office around mid-December. “Then I’ll only be here for fun. But I’m here for fun anyway.”

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Gardner says Police Point is a really special place both historically for people and for wildlife.

“Being a prairie forest gives animals and plants a place to grow, a place to live. Even migrating birds will funnel in through here,” she says. “It’s just as important for people. As long as there’s people on this landscape, Police Point has been an important area. It was an area where they could come for berries and shelter and food.”

Corlaine Gardner in 2006. (Photo Courtesy Corlaine Gardner)

These days, it’s an area where community connections are emphasized.

Pre-pandemic, Gardner says they hosted about 300 school programs a year and have a whole range that can be adapted from Kindergarten right through college and for adults. Archaeology and geocaching clubs also make frequent use of the park.

As well, the Nature Centre hosts exhibitions featuring artists and quilters, and popular programs include StoryWalks, annual Christmas hayrides and Chicks and Bunnies in the spring.

One of her favourite memories is a display they put together about all the community involvement.

“We had an opening and we were bursting at the seams with all the different clubs and groups and people that had helped us with projects or had had shows here or just like coming here on a regular basis,” Gardner says. “That was pretty special to realize just what the impact our programs and this park have had.”

Park interpreter Marty Drut is also retiring this year after working at the park since 2007.

Marty Drut in 2011. (Photo Courtesy Marty Drut)

He says Gardner’s impact on the park has been amazing and that she brings a presence that is felt by staff and visitors to Police Point.

“One of the important things that we want to be here is very welcoming and get people feeling really comfortable with being here at the Nature Centre and exploring nature,” he says.

He says his time working at the park has been a wonderful experience he’ll never forget, particularly seeing how people connected with each other and nature over the past 19 months.

“During the pandemic was there weren’t a lot of options for people but Police Point was here for them and all of our trail system. So that gave them a chance to be with their families and be out in nature and really feel healthy about themselves even during a time of problems,” he said.

Gardner agrees.

“We’ve had masses of people down here connecting with nature, connecting with their families, doing some things together, staying healthy, active outdoors really learning about our prairie environment. I could go on and on.”

Park interpreter Alicia Lew has been tapped to take over from Gardner as chief interpreter.