Sherwood Park Natural Area is a 68-ha site in a gently rolling landscape of aspen forest and willow/sedge wetlands. A 2.7 km network of hiking trails is accessible from a parking lot on Range Road 231 south of Sherwood Park [1].
Map of the Area
Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.
Other Information
LAND DESCRIPTION. The rolling landscape of this Natural Area in the Central Parkland Subregion of the Parkland Natural Region is covered mainly by mature aspen and balsam poplar forest interspersed with patches of mature white spruce and birch. There are a number of wet depressions throughout the area, including one fairly large slough in the northwest corner of the site.
Wetland habitats include willow shrubland, bog birch-willow-Labrador tea shrubland and cattail–sedge wetland. The mosaic of habitats attracts a variety of typical forest bird species some of which, e.g., Great Horned Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl, reside here year-round. White-tailed Deer, Coyotes, Snowshoe Hares, Porcupines and Red Squirrels are common, and Moose are occasionally seen.
SCHOOL SITE and THE OLD EDMONTON TRAIL. When the Province of Alberta was first surveyed, the site of Sherwood Park Natural Area was earmarked for a school. Local farmers held grazing permits and leases on the site beginning in the late 1800s. People traveling between Edmonton and Cooking Lake began following a route through the area in the early 1900s. Evidence of the Old Edmonton Trail can still be seen today. Plaques mark several of the original survey markers along this historic route.
HISTORY OF SETTLEMENT AND PRESERVATION. In 1966, adjacent land owners took action to protect the area’s virgin forest for future generations and to have the lands designated as one of Alberta’s first Natural Areas in 1971. The name Sherwood Park was part of a real-estate marketing campaign. The original name of Campbelltown, after the founder John Hook Campbell, was not accepted. [2, adapted].
Biophysical Observations (via iNaturalist)
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Observations & Projects for this Natural Area
- Observations for this Natural Area.
- No iNaturalist Projects.
Site Statistics
| Site Name | Sherwood Park |
| Site Type | Natural Area |
| Subtype | Order-in-council (OC) |
| Natural Region(s) | Central Parkland |
| O.C. No. (Land Ref. Manual) | 519/95 |
| PASite ID (Map Ref #) | 212 |
| Site # (Parks Website) | 464 |
| Total Area | 68.35 ha. (168.89 ac.) |
| Steward-Status | |
| Recreation Activities | Birding, Hiking – front country, Wildlife viewing |
| IUCN | II |
| Operated By | Parks Division |
| Notes and Comments |
References
The following links are provided as a courtesy but are not verified or endorsed by SAPAA. Clicking on the link will cause you to leave the SAPAA website. Primary source of information is: Government of Alberta – Information and Facilities -Government of Alberta – Sherwood Park Natural Area (2025-04-30).
- Donovan, Larry. 2007. Alberta Place Names: The Fascinating People & Stories behind the Naming of Alberta. Dragon Hill Publ., p. 201.
- Strathcona County – Sherwood Park Natural Area (2022-01-09).
SAPAA 
The Aspen forest was a feature of the Edmonton area between post glaciation and human colonization over the past ~10,000 years. Cleared for its rich farmland with European settlement, this site preserves an example of what the Edmonton area looked liked 125+ years ago. Close to the city yet far away from time’s perspectives.
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