The exhibit is set in beautiful flower gardens with leafy mountain ash trees providing shade. The path is paved with over 300 bricks bearing the names of miners, mining families and those who supported the building of the feature.

Surrounding this are six interactive posts with educational panels featuring the history of mining in the Elk Valley with imagery reflecting the geological roots of mining and the local ecosystem.

Look across to the other side of the walk, and you will see what appears to be a sculpture of a miner’s face – but as you walk around, you will see that this is an optical illusion, as the face turns into simple posts, angles and shapes with a circle design at the top.

When you finally get to the end of the walk, the structure turns back into the face of a miner competing with a hard hat and lamp- reflecting the journey that the Elk Valley has taken through the history of mining.

Photo: Google Street View