Earth, Fire and Water

An intriguing feature on the broad grassy lawn of west Legislative Grounds is a fossilize tree stump originating in the McLeod River area near Peers, Alberta. This feature is a valuable specimen of petrified wood which, in 1977 was named the official stone of Alberta.

Every July 1st the southwest lawn of the Legislative Grounds serves as a vantage point for many thousands of spectators to the Canada Day fireworks display.

The western side of the Legislative Grounds is also an excellent vantage point for viewing the “Great Divide,” a waterfall that cascades down to the North Saskatchewan River from the High Level Bridge. This spectacular water feature was conceived, designed and installed by Edmontonian, Peter Lewis, to commemorate Alberta’s 75th anniversary. The cascade of water falls a distance of 64 meters, which is 7 meters farther than Niagara Falls, which this installation attempts to recreate.