Blackstrap Lake is a get away, just minutes from Dundurn. A man-made lake, nine miles long, ½ mile wide, and up to 30 feet deep, Blackstrap Lake is home to the townsites of Thode and Shields, the Blackstrap Provincial Park, Knights of Columbus camp, and Cedar Lodge. Blackstrap Lake was created in 1967 as a water reservoir for agricultural, industrial, and recreational use to the areas south-west of Saskatoon.

Blackstrap is an excellent location for fishing and sailing/boating. If you are a fisherman, you can find perch, walleye, pike and white fish in Blackstrap’s waters.

Located just 5 minutes east of Dundurn is Blackstrap Provincial Park, nestled along the east side of Blackstrap Lake.

The park is home to beaches, picnic sites, 50 camping sites, and the Blackstrap Mountain.

Mount Blackstrap was built in 1969/70 for the 1971 Canada Winter Games that were awarded to Saskatoon. The mountain covers seven acres and has a three hundred foot vertical rise. The length of the main run is 1,400 feet and the length of the ski jump is 50 feet. Mount Blackstrap is a skier’s haven and a training ground for many athletes.

To visit the Blackstrap Provincial Park site, click here.

Wilson Museum

Hidden Treasures by M.L. Whittles

The Wilson Museum can been seen from Highway #11 on the outskirts of the Town of Dundurn. I would encourage you to take the time this summer to stop in and take a look around. The museum is housed in three buildings, the Woodview School built in 1940; an authentic 1903 farmhouse and the new museum building which are filled with a multitude of fascinating artifacts.

A privately owned museum prior to 1990, Robert and Maxine Wilson generously donated the buildings and more than 4000 artifacts. The museum was incorporated some years back and is governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors who are reponsible for receiving and preserving the collection. Over the past ten years the museum has doubled the amount of artifacts on display.

The museum has several larger machine pieces on display; a hospital area which includes an iron lung and dentist's chair; a taxidermy corner; a wire collection; military base display; and Native dance costumes from the Whitecap Dakota Sioux First Nations.

THe Wilson museum's claim to fame is a full length cap made from the heart feathers (whitish feather with black dot) of approximatley 4,000 Prairie Chickens. The artist, Mrs. Dan Kohles, began the cape in North Dakota and completed it in the Dundurn-Beaver Creek area. All work, including the taxidermy on the six heads and wings, thich form part of this cape, was completed by Mrs. Kohles. The cape was donated to the Wilson Museum by Vi Leroi of rural Saskatoon.

Between Victoria Day and Labour Day, volunteers accomodate school groups of up to 110 students at a time, putting on displays of rope making, old style laundry, playing games, allowing the students to participate in a petting zoo and taking horse and carriage rides. There is no government funding for the museum but through raffles, private donations and working the Saskatoon bingo, the fund-raising committee has been able to keep the museum alive and thriving.

The museum relies on volunteers in all aspects of its operation, from repairs of artifacts, maintaining the museum grounds, setting up displays, acting as a tour guides, funding and anything and everything that is required.

The Wilson Museum, together with Communities in Bloom and the Community Promotion COmmittee, two other volunteer organizations in Dundurn, recenlty joined forces to promote the Louis Riel Trail (Highway #11). On May 28, 2004, the residents of Dundurn welcomed visitors to join in their celebration of Don Wilkin's Horse and Red River Cart, which is proudly on display at the entrance of their community. The event featured guest speakers, entertainment, a tour of the museum and supper.

Louis Riel Trail

Dundurn is situated on Highway #11 which from from Regina to Prince Albert has been named the Louis Riel Trail.