Wayne started his career with Provincial Parks in January of 1962. His first job was a winter works project clearing brush along a roadway that was to be widened at Entrance Prov. Park (now William A Switzer). Wayne then went to work at Aspen Beach on July 1st 1962 as labour foreman for the summer. In the fall of 62 he was asked to move to Edmonton and drive the Parks semi-truck to deliver supplies to all the Parks in Alberta. He drove truck and worked out of the Bonaventure shop until 1965. In the fall of 65 Wayne attended an interview for a Park Warden position, was successful and was transferred to Kinbrook Island.
In 1969 he was transferred to Aspen Beach. While at Aspen Beach, Art Forsen and Wayne were the first Park Wardens in Alberta to be appointed as Peace Officers. At that time we had to go before a Provincial Judge to take the Oath of Office.
In 1972 Wayne was transferred to Bragg Creek as officer in charge and was at Bragg Creek until 1975. He then accepted a move to Fish Creek in Calgary. Here he was put in charge of Security and Enforcement for Fish Creek. Wayne supervised all of the seasonal Rangers and helped implement a very good relationship with the Calgary City Police. He took several courses with the City Police and was certified as a Radar operator. Wayne worked hard to gain the acceptance and trust of the City Police, and as a result Wayne was assigned a regimental number and a call sign for use of Calgary City Police radios. (In subsequent years most all the Rangers at Fish Creek were assigned call signs and radios.) As a result the park was the first outside agency to be allowed access to CPIC directly from our radios. (It should be noted that a number of Seasonal Rangers who worked and trained under Wayne’s supervision went on to careers in the R.C.M.P. and Calgary City Police. The City Police once commented about the excellent enforcement training that staff received at Fish Creek.)
In 1987, Wayne put his name into the Calgary City Police as a Police Security volunteer for the 1988 Winter Olympics. He was accepted and after training, he was given a supervisors posting at the Athletes Village, which was at the University of Calgary. This was where all the Athletes from around the world were screened and admitted to the village. What a great experience.
The last couple of years that Wayne was at Fish Creek, he was in the District Ranger Position. He spent a total of 15 years at Fish Creek.
The last couple of years that Wayne was at Fish Creek, he was in the District Ranger Position. He spent a total of 15 years at Fish Creek.
In 1990 Wayne was transferred to Dillberry Lake as Ranger–In-Charge. While at Dillberry, Wayne sat on a joint Saskatchewan/ Alberta committee that oversaw the development of the Manitou Lake Sandhills management plan. A portion of the Manitou Sandhills was adjacent to Dillberry Lake. He only spent two years at Dillbery and was then transferred to Miquelon Lake/ Blackfoot. At this posting, Wayne had the unique experience of working at two Parks. Six months (summer) at Miquelon and six months (winter) at the Blackfoot Recreation Area.
When Parks and Fish and Wildlife amalgamated in 1999, Wayne took a transfer to Vegreville where he worked between Vegreville and the Blackfoot Recreation Area until his retirement in August of 2003. Wayne still volunteers at the Birkebiener ski festival at Blackfoot and assists with the Department’s boat course at Pigeon Lake.
When Parks and Fish and Wildlife amalgamated in 1999, Wayne took a transfer to Vegreville where he worked between Vegreville and the Blackfoot Recreation Area until his retirement in August of 2003. Wayne still volunteers at the Birkebiener ski festival at Blackfoot and assists with the Department’s boat course at Pigeon Lake.
Over the years the title of today’s C.O’s. changed from Park Caretakers to Park Officers to Park Rangers to what is known today as Conservation Officers.
Wayne had a total of Forty-one years and eight months of service with the Alberta Government.
