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.
Save the Date
Join us for the official Grand Reopening celebration.
Date: May 30, 2026
Time: 11am-4pm
This exciting event marks the completion of all construction and the return of full park services. The celebration will feature various activities across the park throughout the day.
View Event Program for Details
For deeper insights into the improvements made during this closure, visit William Hawrelak Park Rehabilitation Project.
Taking Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) to the Park
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.
Free and paid Park & Ride options are available along the Capital Line
Take the LRT to University Station and transfer to Route 51 or Route 902 at University Station. Visit Park & Ride for parking options.
Plan your trip using the trip planner.
Warm Weather Activities
Lake access
Available exclusively through boathouse equipment rentals (no swimming/fishing)
Onsite Food Vendor
Enjoy sit-down meals, a scenic patio, or quick refreshments at the main pavilion.
Picnic Sites
Choose from first-come, first-served drop-in areas or bookable sites.
Playground
A nature-themed play space designed with all ages and abilities in mind.
River Access
Hand launch with a floating dock, accessible on foot only via a gravel trail.
Walking and Cycling Trails
A 2km park loop and fully paved multi-use trails link the park directly to the broader river valley trail network.
Winter Activities
Cross-Country Skiing
Groomed winter trails perfect for all skill levels
Onsite Food Vendor
Enjoy sit-down meals, a scenic patio, or quick refreshments at the main pavilion.
Playground
A nature-themed play space designed with all ages and abilities in mind.
Skating and Gliding
Maintained ice surfaces with onsite skate rentals available
Walking and Cycling Trails
A 2km park loop and fully paved multi-use trails link the park directly to the broader river valley trail network.
Winter Picnic Sites
Reserve a dedicated home base for your winter activities
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.
- Drop-off Point: All rental units must be parked at the designated concrete pad near the bus stop (located just outside the main entrance).
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.
Lift Me Up on the Lake by Tiramisu Bistro
Located in the main pavilion, this new food service vendor offers a convenient spot for park visitors to grab a bite. Visit Lift Me Up on The Lake for restaurant hours, menu and pricing.
Book A Picnic Site
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.
Large-Scale and Special Events
Best for: Corporate events, run/walks, major celebrations and cultural festivals.
What’s included: Highly customizable packages. Bookings can include specific greenspaces, facility access, picnic sites or full-park usage depending on your event's scale.
Note: Required for any booking that needs parkland access or specialized entertainment.
Community League Plaza
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 plaza is open for use from 5am-11pm within park hours
- It can be used spontaneously or reserved via the bookings form
- The maximum capacity for bookings is 100 persons and the pathways through the area must remain open for public access
- Performance Restrictions: Be mindful of noise restrictions during performances at the nearby Heritage Amphitheatre (look for temporary signage)
Heritage Amphitheatre
The Heritage Amphitheatre is a must-see venue located in the heart of William Hawrelak Park. It’s perfect for hosting concerts, theater productions and multi-day festivals, featuring:
- A permanent canopy
- A professional stage
- Fixed seating
- Reservation Choices: You can opt for a Full Facility rental for large-scale ticketed events or a Partial Facility rental for smaller community projects
- Availability: Check the Civic Venue Availability Calendar to see open dates.
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.
Picnic Sites at William Hawrelak Park
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.
Sites Available for Reservation
Capacity: 64
Amenities
- Eight (8) Tables
- Canopy
- Power access
- Inflatables permitted
- Alcohol permitted
- Onsite fire pit/stove: 1 fire pit, 2 wood camp stoves
- Washroom onsite
- Wheelchair accessible site
- Nearest parking: onsite (limited spaces)
Capacity: 64
Amenities
- Eight (8) Tables
- Canopy
- Power access
- Onsite fire pit/stove: 1 fire pit, 2 wood camp stoves
- Washroom onsite (accessible)
- Wheelchair accessible site
- Nearest parking: onsite
Capacity: 64
Amenities
- Eight (8) Tables
- Canopy
- Power access
- Onsite fire pit/stove: 1 fire pit, 2 wood camp stoves
- Washroom onsite
- Wheelchair accessible site
- Nearest parking: 90 metres
Capacity: 96
Amenities
- Twelve (12) Tables
- Canopy
- Power access (50-foot cord required)
- Onsite fire pit/stove: 1 fire pit, 2 wood camp stoves
- Nearest washroom: Pavilion (231 metres - accessible)
- Wheelchair accessible site
- Nearest parking: onsite
*Available for winter reservations
For full site details, see the Picnic Sites and Amenities sheet.
Photo Highlights
Contact Us
311 Contact Centre
Phone 311 | Outside Edmonton and Video Relay Service (VRS): 780-442-5311 | TTY 711