Prior to the parks designation on August 29, 2007, the area was designated as crown, or publically owned land and was managed by the Department of Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) – Public Lands Division.  The numerous industrial, recreational and agricultural leases occurring on the same landscape, together with a growing number of random recreation use (such as camping and off-highway vehicle use) were not only creating conflicts between user groups but also were contributing to cumulative environmental impacts in the area.

In the Spring of 2004, five recreation organizations and one environmental organization met on their own accord to respond to the increasing conflicts between motorized and non-motorized recreational users on public lands.  This led to a year-long effort researching options and possibilities with provincial officials in the Department of SRD – Public Lands and the Parks  Division of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, as well as consultations with local municipalities and other stakeholders. 

A local sponsors’ steering committee was formed and in February 2005 a formal proposal was submitted to the Provincial Government by six local organizations, both local municipalities and the local MLA, specifically:

February 2005 Proposal included the following:

• Background and rationale for the land use issues
• Objectives of the initiatives and the parks
• Multiple benefits for existing leaseholders
• Initial proposal for location of the provincial park and provincial recreation area
• Initial shared plan for leaseholders to fund and operate existing, expanding and new recreation facilities
• Proposed Phase 2 – possible land expansions

Local Recreation Organizations and/or recreation leaseholders:

• Brazeau ATV Association
• Brazeau Snowmobile Association
• Pembina Nordic Ski Club
• Blue Rapids Motorized Association (formally Pine Valley Motocross Club)
• Rotary Club – Drayton Valley (Sponsored Hiking Trails)

Environmental Organizations:

• Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development

Representatives from Government Agencies:

• Brazeau County
• Town of Drayton Valley
• Mr. Tony Abbott – MLA Drayton Valley Calmar

On May 3rd, 2005 representatives of this group met with Hon. Gary Marr, Minister of Community Development (now the Department of Tourism, Parks and Recreation), and Hon. David Coutts Minister of SRD, and outlined the need and the general proposal for a combination of two forms of protected areas in the North Saskatchewan River Valley, one suitable for non-motorized recreation, and the other for managed motorized recreation. Both Ministers conveyed their support in principle to the project and directed departmental staff to proceed with doing the detailed work on preparing for the designation of selected North Saskatchewan River valley public lands.

The local sponsors’ steering committee worked with department officials within the Parks Division of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation to finalize the land list and obtain support and sign off from other Alberta Government Departments.   The following Departments had an interest in the lands involved and will continue to play a role in park management and adjacent land, wildlife and resource management:

• Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD), Fish and Wildlife Division,
• Alberta Environment, Environmental Management Division,
• Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation, Transportation and Civil Engineering Division.
• Alberta Energy.

The local sponsors' steering commitee also expanded their consultation with other stakeholders and interest groups, refined their goals and objectives, and secured additional local support and resources to complement those available from the Government of Alberta.  As a result, several new groups joined the local sponsors committee.  Support letters for the initiative from oil and gas companies and provincial environmental organizations complimented the refined proposal and presentation to Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services on April 10, 2007.

On August 29, 2007 Cabinet approved the designation of Eagle Point Provincial  Park and Blue Rapids Provincial Recreaction Area.  It was also agreed at that time that a formal partnership would be created between the Department of Tourism, Parks, and Recreation and a new incorporated organization would be created with representatives from the local sponsors’ committee.