I-XL Park in Redcliff, AB, is nearly complete, having just received three solar power lights! (This has been some time in the making, as evidenced by the varying seasons in the photos, but we are just now catching up on the blogs!)


A little history...
The Town of Redcliff has a long history of brick manufacturing. By 1912, the town was home to three neighbouring, industrial scale operations.
The Redcliff Pressed Brick Co. was the last operating plant and closed its doors in 2003 when operations were consolidated with the Medicine Hat Brick and Tile site in Medicine Hat (I-XL Industries). The plant was promptly dismantled but remnants of the original turn of the century plant were retained for future consideration as a historic site.

A Community Park
The goals of the park were:

The Park
What’s included in the final design? Unfortunately due to structural concerns, some of the historic elements were removed or reduced in scale - but plenty remains, including a test kiln and its chimney, the old pyro shack, a reduced scale kiln stack, and several pieces of industrial equipment.



How Block Enjoys the Park

If you haven’t tried the Burnside trails connecting the Hat to Redcliff, this is a definite must (and a great recommendation for our Calgary friends - the season in this area starts a full month earlier and the mountain biking is great!). Take the Death Valley trail to Redcliff and you’ll end up just south of the park on Mitchell Street. Ride through the park (checking out all the historical features!) before eventually turning west. We usually include a stop at the bakery for some snacks and the pool to fill our water bottles at this point. Continue west and you’ll end up at an amazing skills park (the picture only shows one area, there are so many features!). If you’re from out of town you could always stay at Gas City Campground and bike straight from there.