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Located in Edmonton’s stunning river valley, William Hawrelak Park is a 68‑hectare gem filled with wide‑open meadows, shady picnic spots and a 5‑hectare lake.
Known as the heart of many of the city’s biggest festivals and events, the park is the perfect place to relax, play and connect with nature.
| Facility | Hours |
|---|---|
| Daily Park Hours | 5am-11pm |
| Entrance Gate - Vehicle Access | 6am-10pm |
| Main Pavilion | 7am-10pm |
| Shelter Building Washrooms | 9am-9pm |
*See notifications for holiday hours and other park hour changes.
Two bus routes offer service directly to Hawrelak Park:
Both buses stop on Groat Road outside of the park. A paved pathway provides accessible entry into the park from the southbound stop.
The northbound stop is located at the intersection of Groat Road and Emily Murphy Park Road and is a 10-minute walk from the park gate.
Take the LRT to University Station and transfer to Route 51 or Route 902 at University Station.
Visit Park & Ride for parking options.
Hawrelak Park offers a range of accessibility features to support an enjoyable visit for everyone. Accessibility may differ across park areas.
Visitors are welcome to ride bicycles throughout the park using the shared-use path system. For your convenience, bike racks are located near all main facilities.
Rentable E-bikes and E-scooters
William Hawrelak Park is a restricted area for vendor micromobility. Vendor units will automatically disable upon entering the park. Please plan your route accordingly and park your units outside the gates. Learn more about e-bikes and scooters.
The Heritage Amphitheatre provides paved, accessible access, adaptable seating, hearing loop technology and barrier free washroom access.
The main parking lot provides fourteen accessible parking stalls along the south-west section. A designated drop-off zone is also available. Additional accessible parking stall locations are located at Picnic Shelter 1 and 2 parking lots and near the playground.
The paved pathway around the interior of the park provides an accessible pathway for park users. This pathway is relatively flat and offers rest nodes along the route.
Accessible picnic tables are available at all bookable picnic sites and select non-bookable picnic sites. Paved pathways connect each site to the closest available parking lot.
Several buses stop near the park entrance. A paved pathway from the bus stop provides accessible entry into the park. To find the nearest available transit options, please visit Edmonton Transit Service to learn more.
Each washroom facility is equipped with accessible stalls.
Available exclusively through boathouse equipment rentals (no swimming/fishing)
Enjoy sit-down meals, a scenic patio, or quick refreshments at the main pavilion.
Choose from first-come, first-served drop-in areas or bookable sites.
A nature-themed play space designed with all ages and abilities in mind.
Dogs are permitted on leash on trails. They aren't permitted in any facilities except for Lift me up on the Lake restaurant which has a dog-friendly patio.
Hand launch with a floating dock, accessible on foot only via a gravel trail.
A 2km park loop and fully paved multi-use trails link the park directly to the broader river valley trail network.
Groomed winter trails perfect for all skill levels
Enjoy sit-down meals, a scenic patio, or quick refreshments at the main pavilion.
A nature-themed play space designed with all ages and abilities in mind.
Dogs are permitted on leash on trails. They aren't permitted in any facilities except for Lift me up on the Lake restaurant which has a dog-friendly patio.
Maintained ice surfaces with onsite skate rentals available
A 2km park loop and fully paved multi-use trails link the park directly to the broader river valley trail network.
Reserve a dedicated home base for your winter activities
Located in the main pavilion, this new food service vendor offers a convenient spot for park visitors to grab a bite as well as a dog-friendly patio. Visit Lift Me Up on The Lake for restaurant hours, menu and pricing.
Best for: Standard, private picnic gatherings that fit within the site's standard capacity limit.
What’s included: Exclusive use of the picnic shelter area and shared use of the surrounding greenspace.
Note: If your plans exceed site capacity or include additional features such as exclusive use of greenspace, specialized entertainment or extra tents, this option is not suitable for your needs. A Special Event application will be required instead.
Required for: Events with more 100 people in attendance, over the picnic site capacity and that require additional infrastructure.
What’s included: One-stop shop for permits to host an event on City property.
Note: Applications must be submitted 4-6 weeks prior to the event start date.
The Community League Plaza is a year-round amenity on the southeast side of Hawrelak Park lake.
The plaza offers comfort with a gas fireplace, heaters, and a wood-burning stove. Guests can enjoy views of the lake and creek from the seating and viewing areas.
Additionally, the space celebrates the Edmonton Federation of Community League's (EFCL) history with artwork and displays.
The Heritage Amphitheatre is a must-see venue located in the heart of William Hawrelak Park. It’s perfect for hosting concerts, theatre productions and multi-day festivals, featuring:
Note: Every booking is subject to a civic event review. Please consult the full venue guidelines regarding sound, ticketing and production before you submit your application.
Hawrelak Park has 4 picnic sites available for reservation during the summer and 1 picnic site available for reservation during the winter. There are also 37 picnic tables available for drop-in use.
To learn more about picnic site use and reservations, please visit Picnic Sites.
Capacity: 64
Capacity: 64
Capacity: 64
Capacity: 96
*Available for winter reservations
For full site details, see the Picnic Sites and Amenities sheet.
Phone 311 | Outside Edmonton and Video Relay Service (VRS): 780-442-5311 | TTY 711
