This 65-hectare park established in 1954, south of Grande Prairie on the Wapiti River, was named in honour of Dr. Louis J. O'Brien (1868-1958), long-time medical practitioner in the area. He was born in Ontario and taught school for some time in order to earn money to study medicine. He went to Germany for this and graduated from Wurzburg in 1902. Following practice at Nanaimo, B.C., he pursued further studies in London, England. At the beginning of World War I he joined the army, and in 1915 went overseas and served at Salonika. In 1918 he moved to the Peace River Country where he remained until his death. His first hospital was a log building. Dr. O'Brien soon became both a respected and familiar figure and the subject of many tales. He had boundless interest in nature and was never tired of pointing out the beauty and potential of the country to newcomers. In 1939 he was president of the Canadian Medical Association (Alberta Division) and was awarded an honorary fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada as well as an honorary doctorate by the University of Alberta. He served as Independent M.L.A. for Grande Prairie from 1940-1944. He could have built up a successful practice in any large city but preferred to remain in the Peace River Country as he felt that there was a need for him there. Holmgren. 1976.

Approximately 8 km south of Grande Prairie.