Where is grande prairie located

Contact Us. Online Services. Public Transit. Latest News. Event Calendar. Public Notices. Disclaimer Google Translate is provided as a free tool to enhance the usability of the City of Grande Prairie website. Neighbourhood Associations are registered societies that provide a central point of contact and a unified voice for the community. Find Associations. Enjoy our beautiful parks and recreation spaces. Free Activities. Did you know that you can purchase fire pit permits, animal licenses and tax certificates online?

You can even pay parking tickets. Explore eServices. City Council establishes their vision and direction for the organization through the approval of a strategic plan. View the Plan. The city of Grande Prairie is located km northwest of Edmonton and takes its name from the large prairie that lies to the east, north and west of it. Grande Prairie is located on the traditional territory of the Dane-zaa.

The earliest recorded reference to the prairie was by trader Samuel Black in In , a Hudson's Bay Company trading post called Grande Prairie was established by George Kennedy 21 km northwest of the present city. When 17 townships were surveyed for homesteading in , a land rush soon followed. Many settlers arrived from Edson , via a rough wagon trail that opened in April By , Grande Prairie included a bank, hotel, post office and land office.

With these services in place, Grande Prairie became a district metropolis, leading to its incorporation as a village two years later. After the influx of more settlers, Grande Prairie became a town in Until the s, the economy of Grande Prairie and its hinterland was exclusively agricultural, with some coal and lumber produced for domestic use.

The district suffered recession and depopulation during the early s, but expanded later that decade. One district farmer in particular, Herman Trelle, helped grow this reputation. Trelle was named World Wheat King at the Chicago international grain exhibition five times. Oil and natural gas discoveries in the area during the s continued the prosperity.

In , Grande Prairie was connected directly to Edmonton by Highway Although the district suffered a recession in the s, the international demand for oil , natural gas and forest products resulted in a boom economy in the s. Oil and natural gas industries continue to be major employers of Grande Prairie residents.

Weyerhaeuser continues to operate a lumbermill in Grande Prairie. Grande Prairie has much to offer nature lovers, such as Muskoseepi Park in the heart of the city, where many summer festivals are held. Muskoseepi means Bear Creek in the Cree language. Many areas for enjoying the natural environment, such as Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, surround the city.

Grande Prairie has been served by a newspaper since , and today the Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune provides news to the region. The work of these and other artists is featured in several galleries in the city, such as the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie and the Centre for Creative Arts.