The Edmonton Police Service is inviting citizens to join them for a picnic in the park in celebration of their 125th anniversary. Everyone is welcome.
EPS 125th Anniversary Picnic in the Park
Borden Park, 7703 Borden Park Road
Sunday, August 20, 2017, 1 – 5 p.m.
Free parking in Northlands Park South Lot
It will be an afternoon of fun with free family activities, games, prize draws, entertainment, and free hot dogs for the first 1,000 people. EPS specialized units such as Air One, Tactical, Canine, and Crime Scenes Investigations (CSI) will also be on display.
“This is a great opportunity for people to get up close and personal with the officers and equipment operating behind the scenes to keep our city safe,” says Chief Rod Knecht. “We have all of them together in one place, and typically the only time these units come together is during a major emergency. This time, they’ll be able to take a few moments to talk, answer questions, and even have some fun.”
There will be children's activities such as face painting, balloon animals, bouncy houses, and a petting zoo too. Children of all ages can try out the Emergency Vehicle Operation Course, or the Recruiting Unit’s Officer Skills Challenge.
It will be ‘back to the future’ as future EPS constables (Recruit Training Class #140) attempt to re-create the classic tug-of-war and sack race challenges from days gone by. Youth are also challenged to follow in the footsteps of Canada’s first Indigenous police officer and Olympian, and check their speed in the Const. Alex Decoteau Dash.
Much like other picnics and get-togethers with family and friends, it will feature toe-tapping music, including a country / rock band made up entirely of EPS officers, and a performance by up-and-coming country sensation Hailey Benedict, the 15-year-old granddaughter of a retired EPS detective.
The public can also enter to win numerous prizes for all ages, such as two tickets to an Edmonton Oilers versus Philadelphia Flyers game at Rogers Place (donated by the Oilers Entertainment Group), and an adult grand prize of a once-in-a-lifetime ride-along on the new EPS Air One helicopter.
The picnic is sponsored by the Edmonton Police Foundation, whose community and corporate support has been invaluable to the Edmonton Police Service.
“The Foundation has a powerful and positive relationship with the EPS, and we are proud to sponsor the Picnic in the Park as part of their 125th anniversary milestone,” says Karla Schell, Executive Director of the Edmonton Police Foundation. “Police play a vital role in our community every day, but when you consider the impact a police officer has on a child’s life simply by playing with them, it’s clear that an event like this is an investment in the future.”
Chief Knecht adds, “Throughout our anniversary celebrations we’ve seen an outpouring of appreciation and support from the community that we’re truly thankful for. There’s a sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished together and where we’re going as a police service.”
EPS was created 125 years ago when Mayor Matthew McCauley issued Bylaw #15 on June 20, 1892, which allowed the municipality to appoint town constables to keep the peace. Since that time, EPS officers have been dedicated to protect, and proud to serve, the citizens of Edmonton.
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