What a nice park! I have gone there in winter time but this was my first time in spring. It's a…read morebeautiful place and it attracts a lot of people and runners. We had a long walk and enjoyed the weather, beauty of the park and people's energy! It's a great place for walking your dog too. I enjoyed my walk and I'm sure I'll go back there for walking again!

Maybe it's being close to the whitemud equestrian centre (after all I'm a farm kid lost in the big…read morecity) but I really enjoy the layout of the surrounding park area. The closeness to the river let's you enjoy the sound of water plus the trees and birds while drowning out the busy main roads that run past. If you have the ability to hike into other parks, I'd highly suggest taking a few hours and bring a picnic with you. It's well worth the time to loop around the river valley in a circle and enjoy a picnic at the end. Lots of randomly placed picnic areas and benches throughout. Some areas more accessible than others. If you're looking for scenic area that has a flatter path to start improving your waking distance, I'd suggest this as one of the better places in the city. I also see a lot of parents helping their kids ride bikes along the paved road over the years. Smaller parking lot at the front but that takes you directly to the main paved path which makes sense why it fills up on the nice days. If you keep driving along the loop, you'll find a few more additional parking spots. Under the bridge might be a different park but allows access to parking too. I believe there's access to a stairwell on that side (but that's the last thing I'd go looking for with my bad knees!). Newer bathroom facility that even has a bottle filing area inside. No more need to desperately try and fit your reusable bottle under the tap of warm water. If you go over the grassy hill (opposite of the path) there are outdoor arenas and further along the gravel road, the newly built equestrian arena and horse pens. There's usually a fruit stand parked on the corner during summer, which is nice to grab a snack if you're sitting outside enjoying the sun. In summer you'll also see horse trailers lined up along the grass area & dirt road. As they hold shows at this location, it can get quite busy. Signs are posted for the events well in advance, just in case you wish to walk where there's less people around. Please do remember to keep dogs on leashes and bells working on your bikes (on and off the main path), as horse riders share the paths too. It really is wonderful to see so many ages and levels of physical activity enjoying one area of the river valley. Now thinking about it more, this is probably why I find myself revisiting this park at least several times from spring to fall.

LOVE love LOVE Grandin Pond…read more There are walking and bike trails that curve around the pond. Plenty of spots for great photo ops in the summer and even Winter! A few platforms to go out on the pond a bit. The city puts fish in here, too! So fish away! You don't even realize you're in the city when visiting this pond on the West and North end. My kids always love stopping here on our bike rides around town to take in the beauty and quack like a duck!

the place is very nice but there is no fish in that pond. In the winter, the water freezes all the…read moreway to the floor so there is no chance fish live there. Sorry to all the fisherman

As part of my summer bucket list spray/splash park challenge we visited Spruce Grove's only water…read morefeature which is located at Central Park. The feature itself is small with only 2 water features but the biggest issue is the water was pumping through them so hard yesterday that it would have knocked my 3 year old off his feet or ripped off his skin - and I'm not kidding! The park itself is beautiful with many benches surrounding it making it the perfect spot to enjoy a mid day snack or lunch while taking in the beautiful park like setting. A small skate park is adjacent to this park as well as a historical site with a log cabin. We didn't check it out as my kids wer antsy to get back on the road and find a spray/splash park more suitable to them.

Beautiful park near the city. Serene lake with lots of birds, trees and a nice calm lake, even has…read morea boat launch with kayaker and paddleboarders on the lake every weekend! This place is so serene and peaceful. So romantic, I have newly discovered this place because of someone I recently met who appreciates little things like nature and serenity. The place is so beautiful I can't help but get in a lovey dovey mood whenever I'm here. It's so quiet and it's the perfect place for a quiet evening with a date or loved one. Sometimes we have the entire park to ourselves and don't see any humans for hours. And that is just PERFECT! It's a hidden gem, so close to the city of st albert and even a closer drive from edmonton. There are some beautiful paths along the lake for romantic walks at sunset. You could easily spend an hour or two here and forget how life can get get so crazy. A perfect way to slow down and spend time with someone on a intimate level or just to enjoy the beautiful scenery on you're own. Either way. This place is my new to go date place, and I just love going here. My other half got me hooked on this place and we have been going three times a week. A perfect place for a picnic or a drink or a walk. And luckily if u run out of food and have the munchies. The greenhouse is across the street for a perfect glass of wine or snack to end the perfect night out. It's those little things that make you appreciate nature and all its beauty. This place is captivating and I can't help but fall in love here!

Great private beach just 30 minutes West of Edmonton located at Hubbles lake…read more You can pay for entry for the day during beach season or get in free if you are camping here. There is a small little admin office that sells some treats, slushies, beach necessities, and toys for the kiddos. REALLY awesome day trip! Check out their website for all the details: http://www.allanbeach.com

I have gone there a couple of times. It's a nice beach and…read moreperfect for families. I would go there as early as I can if I want to have a nice place because they have limited space. Also I would take an umbrella because after a little while I. Sunny days, it can be uncomfortable and make it hard to enjoy the experience. They rent paddle boards too which was pretty fun and I may do that again. Overall it's a good place and I'll definitely go back there again.

Heat wave, schmeet wave! The best place in St. Albert to cool is definitely at Woodlands Water…read morePark. We have gone a few times this year, early June and it was quite cold to the plus 30 degrees and have a great time each time. As on now there are no capacity limits or lines ups which was great when it is so hot. There is a concession on site as well so if you want a cool treat it is covered. Bathrooms are also on site so please of for the love of all things that are fun have your children use the washroom. We went when a (hopefully) child left a log and the staff were quick to close the park down, clean the deck and the water treated. Also there is a nice sized park right in the same area and picnic tables. Lots of places to sit or there is lots of grass to lay a blanket down. But double thumbs up to the staff that monitor the park, they are the real mvps.

This continues to be my family's Favourite spray park!…read more It's not as large as some like Jackie Parker or Castle Downs but it is enclosed by a fence and has ample shade and grassy tree lined areas for a perfect siesta. There is also the snack shack and St Albert rec staff on hand at all times for first aid. Last summer we visited more than 20 spray/splash parks and this one still knocks it outta the park!

So this park is fairly big, has an area of bush pup can sniff and walk through. IT's not usually as…read morecrowded as the smaller Spruce Grove park nor the West Edmonton parks like Beuna Vista. I do go when it's a little quieter as my girl does like to play but can be reactive and dominate. There unfortunately, isn't a lot of availability and cost of private ones. She is more reactive on leash than without. It does have a little yard of agility equipment-- do be careful and look for sharp edges as some of it is left over wood and scrap metal. A lot of it is also kinda high. But my girl likes the smaller hoops and the tunnel. A-frame is too steep and high.

Visited River Lot 56 Nature Preserve FINALLY for the first time! There are multiple trail loops…read moresuitable for a 20 minute stroll or an hour long hike with a few hills. There are signs identifying animals and trees throughout. You can forage highbush cranberries into fall (super juicy and plentiful right now). Watch out for gopher holes - I'd be nervous to twist my ankle if running but the kids loved "fishing" for gophers, lol. We caught a frog and hunted for caterpillars. It's a great spot with arching tree lined trails for fall photos, too. In the winter, they maintain the trails here! Might be the perfect place to try out snowshoeing locally! I can't wait to go back! PS there is parking and it's located 1 minute south on Poundmaker's Road just a few blocks after Sir Winston Churchill ends (St. Albert) and Sturgeon County begins.