Facilities, Parks & Playgrounds

Facilities, Parks & Playgrounds

The Town of Whitecourt developed a playground replacement program in 2014, which has outlined priorities for the next several years.  

Summer is an excellent time to get out and get active!  Visit one of our many parks and playgrounds or go for a walk or a bike ride.

Check out our new playground and park map.

Centennial Park trail closures in effect April 9-16, 2024

Access to Centennial Park trail from Sakwatamau Drive through to the 47 Street entrance will be closed April 9 through April 16, 2024.  The area will be closed so that tree clearing can be completed in preparation for Phase 1 of the Centennial Park Pathway Improvement Project.

  • Residents that back on to the project area, including Sakwatamau Drive, Baxter Drive, Feero Drive and Chickadee Drive, may hear and see activity in the park area behind their property.
  • The trail closure (Pumphouse Trail) will be marked with signs and barricades.  Please do not enter the work site and avoid the active work zone as tree clearing will be completed through the closure period. 

Questions can be directed to Andre Blanchard, an E-Construction representative, at 780-983-3244.

The Centennial Park Pathway Improvement Project will be completed in phases over the next three years and will involve widening of the pathway, as well as surface and drainage improvements.  This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

Residents are encouraged to use alternate walking routes in the area.  For further information on the trail system please refer to the Whitecourt Trail Map.

58 Sunset Boulevard | Phone: 780-778-3637

  • Fieldhouse, play park, boardroom, racquetball courts. Rental spaces are available for birthday parties and special events.
  • The Pembina Gas Infrastructure Aquatic Centre features a swimming pool, lazy river, waterslide, kiddie play area, whirlpool, and sauna. A variety of public, family and fitness swims are scheduled. Lessons and special events are also available.
  • For program information or rental inquiries contact Guest Services at 780-778-3637.

 

For hours and rates please click on Facility Information.

Home of the Whitecourt Early Learning Child Care Centre; Whitecourt Food Bank; Whitecourt Gymnastics Club; and the Town of Whitecourt Family Community Liaison Program.

A multipurpose activity room and meeting space is available for rent.  Please call 780-778-3634 to inquire.

3002 33rd Street | Phone: 780-778-3433 | Toll Free: 800-313-7383

  • A 7,300 square foot facility, featuring meeting spaces, Whitecourt’s Visitor Information Centre,and a multi-media gallery. The multi-media gallery explores the role of the forest in Whitecourt’s growth and development. All public areas of the facility are wheelchair accessible.
  • Located on the grounds surrounding the Forest Interpretive Centre, the John & Audrey Dahl Heritage Park features three visitor accessible buildings, a barn and a number of assorted antique vehicles and farm machinery.
  • Explore the 800-metre Interpretive Trail that winds through the forest.
  • For rental inquiries or tourist information contact the Forest Interpretive Centre at 780-778-3433.

Services:

  • Accredited Visitor Information Centre open year round
  • Local, provincial and national visitor information is available
  • RV parking available 
  • All areas are wheelchair accessible
  • Meeting rooms available rent 
  • Public washrooms and picnic area
  • Sani-dump station located on grounds

Located along Flats Road | Phone: 780-778-3637 ext. 402

  • This is a major sport field and ball diamond complex.
  • For rental inquiries or information regarding use and leagues, contact the Community Services Department at 780-778-3637 ext. 402.

For information contact the Town Office at 780-778-2273.

  • Four outdoor rinks are maintained by the Town of Whitecourt between mid-November and March. The rinks are located at Central School, Percy Baxter School, Southlands Park area (near Park Drive) and Pat Hardy School (near the new school site).
  • Festival Park has a pond (illuminated by street lights at night for your enjoyment) that is cleared for winter recreational use. Keep an eye out for special events scheduled during the winter at the pond in Festival Park.

 

OUTDOOR RINK UPDATE - Monday, March 18, 2024:

All outdoor rinks, as well as the Skating Loop and Pond at Festival Park are closed for the winter season.
 

72 Sunset Boulevard | Arena Office Phone: 780-778-8888

The facility houses two ice rinks and a restaurant.  

  • The McLeod Rink opens in mid to late August for summer ice time, and stays open until the end of March.
  • The Athabasca Rink is available from mid to late August to the end of March.
  • For ice rental inquiries, and information regarding public skating times, contact the Community Services Department at 780-778-3637 ext. 402.

All skaters are required to wear a CSA approved helmet. CSA approved facemasks are strongly recommended.

FREE Public Skating and Slide & Glide sponsored by the Rotary Club of Whitecourt. 

Public Skate & Shinney Schedule - Town of Whitecourt

70 Sunset Boulevard | Phone: 780-778-4128 or 780-778-4512

  • Operated by the Whitecourt Curling Club and offers men’s, women’s, mixed and junior league curling from mid-October to the end of March.
  • Facility rentals include ice surface and/or lounge room for Christmas parties, weddings, etc.

Located along Flats Road | Phone: 780-778-3531

  • Located on Flats Road, this is an 18-hole golf course with clubhouse facilities and pro-shop.
  • Contact the Golf Club at 780-778-3531.

Located in the downtown core, Anniversary Square commemorates Whitecourt's 50th Anniversary.  The park features a clock tower and Whitecourt's 2009 Time Capsule, which won't be opened until 2059, is buried under this feature.

Located on the south boundary of Town, this is a large green space with numerous walking trails.

Located off 43rd Avenue & 35th Street in the Hilltop Industrial Area at 100 Roszko Lane in Whitecourt, Eastlink Park is open during the Winter season for our local and visiting Snow Seekers. 

Looking for some winter fun? Visit Eastlink Park to show off your snowboarding, skiing and tubing skills. The Park features over 43 acres of skiable terrain, including runs for beginners, and the terrain park for the seasoned snow seekers including rails, boxes and jumps. 

For more information on hours of operation, tickets, and park features, visit Eastlink Park's website here.

Located in the downtown core, Friendship Park commemorates the bonds of friendship that exist between Whitecourt’s Twin Town Kamiyubetsu, Japan.

  • Located on the grounds surrounding the Forest Interpretive Centre, this park features three visitor accessible heritage buildings, a barn and a number of assorted antique vehicles and farm machinery.  The Old Blue Ridge Church is often used for weddings.  Excellent site for family photos!
  • Explore the 800-metre Interpretive Trail that winds through the forest.
  • For more information on the John & Audrey Dahl Heritage Park, contact the Forest Interpretive Centre at 780-778-3433.

Memorial Point is located at the top of the stairs leading from the Highway 43 Walking Trail, north of the intersection of Millar Road and Sakwatamau Drive.  The memorial recognizes and honours Whitecourt and Woodlands County residents who have lost their lives while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, police force, fire and ambulance services.  A stainless steel tree is adorned with copper leaves, each representing an individual who died while serving our community and/or country.

An Off Leash Dog Park has been developed on the north-east boundary of Festival Park. Your four-legged friend can take part in special off leash privileges while you relax and enjoy the outdoors. The park is an area where well-mannered dogs can enjoy a good run, or socialize with other dogs, while under the supervision of the owner.

Located on the west edge of Town, this park features a picnic area, shelter and boat launch to access the McLeod and Athabasca Rivers. A popular fishing spot!

Visible from the intersection of Pine Road and Highway 43.  Located behind the Community Resource Centre on Sunset Boulevard.

Local skateboarders can show off their best tricks at Skate Park.  The plaza-style design includes many street skateboarding features including: stairs, rails, hips (two ramps placed together at an angle), and hubbas (a ledge running alongside a set of stairs).  The layout has left room for a second phase of the skatepark which will feature a concrete bowl for skaters to fine tune their tricks.

Located at the end of 51st Street, north of the Fire Hall | For information contact the Town Office at 780-778-2273.

  • Features picnic areas, sport fields, playgrounds, an asphalt trail and a pond that is stocked for family fishing in the summer and cleared for winter skating.
  • Grab your fishing rod and tackle, and take your family fishing at Festival Park.  Fishing is limited to people under the age of 16 years, or those accompanied by one or more people under the age of 16 years.  Fishing at Festival Park is permitted from May to October. 
  • The Whitecourt River Slides are open during the summer months for family enjoyment.  The water feature consists of two man-made creeks with a series of pools and drops for tubing and play, with a shallow basin and beach at the end of the creeks.
  • Constructed in 2013, the Festival Park Playground is the tallest playground structure in Alberta, and features a Rocks and Ropes Adventure component, Little Tikes play structure, electronic ICON component. 
  • The Off Leash Dog Park is located on the north-east boundary of Festival Park.  Take your well-mannered dog to enjoy a good run or socialize with other dogs.

For more information on Festival Park, click here.

Hit the trails this summer in Whitecourt!

The Whitecourt Mountain Bike Society has been working to expand our trail system and has completed phase one of the Whitecourt Mountain Bike Skills Park which includes the dirt jump track, pump track and flow trail.

For more information visit: www.bikewhitecourt.com

All of the Whitecourt Mountain Bike Trails can be found on Trailforks by downloading the free app or visiting www.trailforks.com/region/whitecourt/

Weed Control in Parks and Playgrounds

Whitecourt carries out an annual program to control weeds in parks and open spaces. The goal is to control noxious weeds, provide safe and healthy turf, and protect trees and shrubs.

Control measures include mechanical trimming, removal of weeds by hand, and the application of herbicide. 

All herbicides have been approved by Health Canada, Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Alberta Government, and will be applied under the supervision of workers who are provincially licensed.  Herbicide application will be used during the day or early morning when the winds are generally light.  The times and dates of treatment will depend on weather.  Signs will be posted at major public entrances and surrounding treated areas; members of the public are asked to obey all posted signs and barricades.