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Strathcona County off-leash areas: full seasonal list and closures
Strathcona County, Alberta, Canada
The county lists five year-round off-leash areas and nine seasonal entries. Cottonwood is temporarily closed, and Sally Stewart uses a temporary location at Bethel Way and Bison Way.
Key information
The county lists five year-round off-leash areas and nine seasonal entries. Cottonwood is temporarily closed, and Sally Stewart uses a temporary location at Bethel Way and Bison Way. Seasonal fields and rinks are not year-round dog parks.
On this page
Plan your next step
| Task or feature | What to know |
|---|---|
| Year-round listings | Five, including current Cottonwood closure |
| Winter field entries | Four, November 1-April 1 |
| Summer boarded rinks | Five, May 1-October/weather dependent |
Your options at a glance
- Current closures and relocated access
The October 2,2026 notice closes Cottonwood until further notice while fencing is addressed.
- Winter diamonds versus summer boarded rinks
November 1-April 1 sites are Centennial diamond 1, Emerald Hills diamonds 1 and 2, and the area behind fieldsF andG at Strathcona Athletic Park.
- Leashes and places dogs cannot enter
Keep control at all times and leash the dog in parking lots.
Current closures and relocated access
The October 2,2026 notice closes Cottonwood until further notice while fencing is addressed. Sally Stewart moved to its temporary Bethel Way/Bison Way area from April 13; the former dog area now houses the fieldhouse. A future permanent location remains to be confirmed.
Deermound’s outer boundary is not fully fenced. Its separate fenced area is intended for dogs under 30 pounds, less-active seniors and dogs more comfortable with small dogs. Choose the enclosure to suit the dog’s control needs, not just the word park.
Winter diamonds versus summer boarded rinks
November 1-April 1 sites are Centennial diamond 1, Emerald Hills diamonds 1 and 2, and the area behind fieldsF andG at Strathcona Athletic Park. Emerald Hills diamond 2 is specifically for small dogs. Both diamonds share a mapped site section without losing either entry.
May 1 to October, weather dependent at the end, the five listed boarded rinks provide seasonal off-leash space. The complete source list below includes all five. October 14 does not establish that every rink remains available; check the current sign.
Leashes and places dogs cannot enter
Keep control at all times and leash the dog in parking lots. Remain present and aware of what the dog is doing. Off-leash designation applies only in the named area, not all adjacent parkland.
The county excludes dogs from playground bases, tennis courts, spray decks, floral gardens, sports fields and the Strathcona Wilderness Centre. Enquiries go to 780-467-2211 or recreation@strathcona.ca; by-law questions go to 780-449-0170.
Places covered by this guide
Deermound Off-Leash Park
23031 Township Road 522, Strathcona County, Alberta
Year-round listing; outer perimeter is not fully fenced. Parking is on the south side of the road. A separate small-dog area is fenced.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Ardrossan Regional Park off-leash area
80-1 Avenue, Ardrossan, Alberta
Year-round listing behind Ardrossan Recreation Complex, with a fully enclosed fenced area.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Sources: Official Ardrossan Regional Park off-leash area information
Sally Stewart temporary dog area
Bethel Way and Bison Way, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Temporary location following the April 13,2026 relocation. Do not navigate to the former fieldhouse location. The permanent future location is not finalized in the notice.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Sources: Official Sally Stewart temporary dog area information
Heritage Hills off-leash area
260 Heritage Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Year-round listing, fully enclosed on the south side of Heritage Drive.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Cottonwood Park off-leash area
290 Fir Street, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Temporarily closed until further notice as of the source’s October 2 update. Do not treat the usual year-round listing as open access.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Sources: Official Cottonwood Park off-leash area information
Centennial Park Diamond 1
4000 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Seasonal winter off-leash location, November 1-April 1.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Emerald Hills Diamonds 1 and 2
4501 Emerald Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Both winter entries are preserved here. Diamond 1 is the general listing; diamond 2 is small-dogs-only. Season November 1-April 1.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
- Diamond2
- Small dogs only
Sources: Official Emerald Hills Diamonds 1 and 2 information
Strathcona Athletic Park behind fieldsF andG
1100 Clover Bar Road, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Seasonal winter off-leash area behind fieldsF andG, November 1-April 1.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Sources: Official Strathcona Athletic Park behind fieldsF andG information
Mills Haven Boarded Rink
73 Main Boulevard, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Seasonal boarded-rink off-leash listing, May 1 to October, with the exact end weather-dependent.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Brentwood Boarded Rink
28 Heron Road, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Seasonal boarded-rink off-leash listing, May 1 to October, with the exact end weather-dependent.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
McGhan Park Boarded Rink
441 Meadowview Court, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Seasonal boarded-rink off-leash listing, May 1 to October, with the exact end weather-dependent.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Kinsmen/Westboro Boarded Rink
1011 Strathcona Drive, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Seasonal boarded-rink off-leash listing, May 1 to October, with the exact end weather-dependent.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Sherwood Heights Boarded Rink
50 Spruce Avenue, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Seasonal boarded-rink off-leash listing, May 1 to October, with the exact end weather-dependent.
- Access
- Follow seasonal or closure status above
Named places and addresses come from the official service page. Maps do not certify a visitor entrance, accessible route or current operating status.
Useful questions and answers
How many source entries are retained?
Five year-round areas and nine seasonal entries, with the two Emerald Hills diamonds grouped into one location section.
Is Cottonwood open?
The October 2,2026 notice says it is temporarily closed until further notice.
Where is Sally Stewart’s temporary dog area?
Adjacent to Bethel Way and Bison Way, rather than the former fieldhouse site.
Is Deermound fully fenced?
No. Only the parking access area and separate small-dog area have the described fencing; the outer park perimeter is not fully enclosed.
Which dogs suit Deermound’s small-dog enclosure?
The page identifies dogs under 30 pounds, less-active seniors and dogs more comfortable around small dogs, at the owner’s discretion.
When do winter field locations operate?
November 1-April 1, subject to current signs and closures.
Which Emerald Hills diamond is small-dogs-only?
Diamond 2.
When are boarded-rink sites used for dogs?
May 1 to October, with the exact closing date dependent on weather.
Can a dog be loose in the parking lot?
No. Dogs must be leashed in parking lots.
Where are dogs prohibited?
Playground bases, tennis courts, spray decks, floral gardens, sports fields and Strathcona Wilderness Centre under the published page.
Official information and next steps
Facts checked on October 14, 2026. Seasonal conditions and available appointments can change.