Sherwood Park, Alberta, is a large hamlet within Strathcona County, recognized as an urban service area. Located on traditional Treaty 6 territory, it is adjacent to the City of Edmonton's eastern boundary. Established in 1955, Sherwood Park has grown to a population of 72,017 in 2021, making it equivalent to Alberta's sixth largest city.
The area where Sherwood Park now stands was first inhabited by Indigenous people, including the Cree. In 1881, settlers began establishing homesteads in the area. Sherwood Park was founded as Campbelltown by John Hook Campbell and John Mitchell in 1953. The first homes were marketed to the public in 1955. Due to the existence of several other communities in Canada with the same name, the community's name was changed to Sherwood Park in 1956.
Sherwood Park is located in the Edmonton metropolitan region along the western edge of central Strathcona County. It is bound by Highway 16 to the north, Highway 21 to the east, Highway 630 to the south, and Anthony Henday Drive to the west. The community extends beyond Yellowhead Trail and Wye Road, with Anthony Henday Drive separating Refinery Row to the west from the rest of the hamlet.
Sherwood Park is home to at least 49 neighbourhoods east of Anthony Henday Drive. The industrial area known as Refinery Row is located west of Anthony Henday Drive.
According to Strathcona County's 2022 municipal census, Sherwood Park has a population of 73,000, a 2.3% increase from its 2018 population of 71,332.
Sherwood Park boasts a vibrant art community with multiple galleries, including Gallery @501, Loft Gallery, Picture This!, Smeltzer House Centre for Visual Arts, and Spark Centre.
Sherwood Park maintains a rich cultural history through various outlets such as Bremner House, Festival Place, Sherwood Park's Heritage Mile, and Strathcona County Museum and Archives.
Sherwood Park's location provides easy access to a range of natural areas, including the UNESCO Beaver Hills Biosphere and several provincial parks, trails, and natural areas.
The Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere provides open spaces, hiking trails, lakes, and campsites. Destinations within the Biosphere include Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, Elk Island National Park, and Ministik Lake Game Bird Sanctuary.
Sherwood Park offers a number of trails and sections, including the Parkway Trail System, Sherwood Park Natural Area, and Strathcona Wilderness Centre.
Sherwood Park offers a variety of restaurants, hotels, shops, golf courses, recreation facilities, and art galleries. The Activity and Travel Guide provides a sampling of these attractions.
Sherwood Park offers a variety of recreation facilities and sports teams. Facilities include the Broadmoor Arena, Glen Allan Recreation Complex, Kinsmen Leisure Centre, Millennium Place, and Strathcona Athletic Park. Local sports teams include the Sherwood Park Crusaders hockey squad and the Sherwood Park Kings Athletic Club. Sherwood Park also hosts the Western Canada Summer Games and is home to the Strathcona Druids RFC rugby club.
