Our Story

Ernst and Else Wanke opened South Cooking Lake Greenhouses in 1959, long before their youngest son Harold came along in 1962.

The greenhouse quickly became Harold’s playground, and his classroom, sparking a lifelong passion for growing plants. He took over ownership in 1989.

Over the years, the greenhouse has grown and evolved. Today, it spans over 30,000 square feet and is home to annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, strawberries, roses, planters, hanging baskets, and all kinds of gardening supplies.

For many families, a visit here is part of the season. It’s something we’ve watched grow over generations, kids learning, exploring, and proudly showing their families what they’ve discovered.

Three vintage photographs overlapping, featuring a young boy with a dog, a house with a person outside, and a residential street with trees and houses, decorated with floral doodles on a black background.

Why South Cooking Lake Greenhouses?

When South Cooking Lake Greenhouses was established, this area was known far beyond Alberta. It was home to the Cooking Lake Airport, Canada’s oldest operating public airport, and the Lakeview Dance Hall, which welcomed visitors for over 50 years with live music and dancing.

Most notably, this was the home of Al Oeming’s Alberta Game Farm, over 1,000 acres of wildlife from around the world. A World War II veteran and professional wrestler, Al built something truly unique, one of the largest game farms of its time, with more than 3,000 animals.

On any given weekend, thousands of visitors would come through. Al shared his passion through school presentations with his cheetah, Tawana, hosted a television show, and even travelled to China in 1964 to exchange North American pandas.

Two vintage photographs of children at a petting zoo, surrounded by beige floral illustrations. One photo shows a boy with blonde hair petting a young goat, the other shows a girl in a purple sweater feeding a smaller goat through a fence.

Today, much of this incredible history has been forgotten, but it remains a meaningful part of this place.

Growing up beside the park, Harold remembers watching trainers walk elephants through the ditch, peacocks flying over the fence, and long lines of cars waiting to get in each weekend.

Sharon remembers her annual family trips through Edmonton on the way to Saskatchewan, never knowing that one day, the man she would marry lived just over the fence.

The name may not be the simplest, but it is rooted in a place, a history, and a story worth remembering.