With access to parks still restricted around the province, some southwest residents have found themselves getting creative to scratch their itch to get out and explore during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It may come as a pleasant surprise for Swift Current residents in particular, that they wouldn't even need to leave the city to do just that as a family.

"One item I have over the years mentioned to the school principals in Swift Current is a little known fact that the Swift Current Court House is a massive depository of fossils," said Provincial Court Judge, Karl Bazin.

"You don't have to go digging down in Eastend, you just walk up to the court house and you'll see some."

Admittedly for some, one of the last places they'd think to turn to for family fun would be court. But, within seconds of exploring the exterior of the historical building, the inner paleontologist can quickly emerge.

"I think people forget the court house is a massive, beautiful building in Swift Current, and I think people are reluctant to come up to it because it's the court house - they think it's quite restricted, but it isn't," said Judge Bazin. "It's a public building, again it's all on the outside, so you can simply walk up the stairs, look at the columns, look at the corners, you'll see the Tyndall stone instantly. It's kind of a fun little project."

Tyndall stone is another name for limestone, which was heavily used in the construction of the court house between 1913-16. The fossil-packed limestone was shipped in from a large deposit in Tyndall, Man, north east of Winnipeg. Tyndall stone has also been used in other notable buildings around the province such as the Saskatchewan Legislative Building and the majority of the buildings on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

A quick lap around the outside of the Swift Current Court House reveals a variety of fossilized shells, but when scanned a bit more thoroughly, much more appears.

A sample of the wide variety of fossils dotting the exterior of the Swift Current Court House (photos by Eric James)

"There are hundreds of fossils. Some are hard to find, some are easy to find. You will see sea shells, fish scales, all kinds of sea animals by simply walking around the court house, walk up to the walls, look for the fossils," Bazin said.

He noted that with the negativity of a pandemic, it's nice to be able to have another fun and safe option on hand.

"I know things are pretty restricted on what families can do with their children, but it's a great opportunity," Bazin said. "You can walk around the court house Saturday, Sunday, any day you want. Walk around the court house, walk up the stairs, keep your social distancing, but enjoy looking for fossils if you want a little project with your children."