Heritage Grove Park

Back to South West Quadrant – YEG-Ville.

Unless you live there or travel to play a hockey game, Spruce Gove is a city you are likely to zoom by en route to Jasper. Named for a former stand of timber in the area [1], the City has the usual carpet of suburban homes. But it also has a delightful park called, Heritage Grove.

The park protects the watershed of Dog Rump Creek which empties into Big Lake and the Sturgeon/North Saskatchewan water shed. ‘Classrooms in the Forest’ signs provide background and historical notes along the trails in the park.

The Fast Facts

  • EASY-PEASY.
  • Worth Visiting for walking, snowshoeing on an early dump.
  • Washrooms.in local coffee shops, etc.
  • Kid Focused
  • Low Beginner.

Heritage Grove is one of a number of urban parks in Spruce Grove ranging from the ubiquitous storm water run off lakes through to the multi-acre Heritage Grove. Some of the parks are connected while other require travel along streets to move from one to another. In total, the city claims 40KM of all-weather trails (asphalt and gravel) in its parks system. Nevertheless, for a Low Beginner destination, a family outing or taking Fido for a walk; Heritage Grove is an excellent destination.

Snow covered gravel trail part of the number braided in the park
Heritage Grove Park – Side Trail

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Heritage Grove Park / City of Spruce Grove
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: Snowshoeing in the park could be done before the efficient maintenance crews remove it from the asphalt trails. There are gravel trails as well which are more amenable. Consider wearing micro cleats for traction on both trail surfaces.
  • Map Reference, Location and Wayne Gretzky Units:
    • Central Alberta Backroads Map Book, p. Edmonton (p. 45), Cell B5.
    • 53′ 34″ -113′ 54″. Drive west on Highway 16 or 16A, Heritage Gove is extensive so park in one of the many commercial areas and access the trail system.
    • Wayne Gretzky Driving Time & Distance: 32 Min(s) & 33 Kilometers
  • Difficulty Level & Safety: Low Beginner with now significant safety considerations.
  • Links: See Notes and References.
  • The Drive Out: Highway 16 and 16A both are efficient industrial routes, not much to see here.
  • The Other Shoe: Easy Fat biking along the numerous trails and lots of walking.
  • Kid Rating: Playgrounds and information signs make this both a fun an education destination.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
    • First done: 2020-12-21.

Notes and Reference

  1. Spruce Grove was named for large stand of timber formerly in the area. Unfortunately, the trees have since been logged. DONOVAN, LARRY. ALBERTA PLACE NAMES: The Fascinating People & Stories behind the Naming of Alberta. Place of publication not identified: DRAGON HILL PUB, 2007.

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