Sherwood Park’s new neighbourhoods focus on small town appeal

Did you know that Sherwood has its own biosphere? Did you know Sherwood Park has its own winery? Did you know Sherwood Park is not even a city or a town? There may still be a lot to know about this pleasant Alberta hamlet, but what has always been known is it remains one of the best places to live in the Edmonton region.

Sherwood Park is, in fact, the largest hamlet in the world with a population of over 73,000 people, according to the 2022 census. It is the largest urban area of Strathcona County which has a total population of 100,362 people. It was granted specialized status by the Government of Alberta in 1996 as an Urban Service Area.

Growth is the abiding promise in Sherwood Park, with the population growing 2.3 per cent from 2018 to 2022. And it’s bound to grow even more, as there are several ongoing residential developments that make it the perfect place to put down roots in. Mattamy Homes’ Hearthstone and Rohit Communities’ Cambrian are two of the latest and both focus on the easy living appeal of live here.

Attracting newcomers

Both developments from Mattamy and Rohit are attracting younger families, who are now becoming more prominent in the hamlet that used to mostly attract seniors and retirees. Diverse housing types, plentiful amenities and easy-living lifestyle Sherwood Park offers make it irresistible to many newcomers.

Careen Chrusch, marketing director at Mattamy Homes, tells Edmonton New Home + Condo Guide that Sherwood Park is relatively more affordable, which is a big reason for its continued growth, but that’s not all there is to it.

“Property taxes are certainly lower than Edmonton and home prices are typically a little lower here as well. Sherwood Park has all amenities you need, and its connection to nature is amazing with the Old Man ravine nearby. Yet, it has quick access to downtown Edmonton,” she says.

“It is a tight-knit, small community feel with a variety of experiences close at hand. It feels safe and welcoming and is a great place for families to put down roots.”

Family friendly

But why will people want to live in Sherwood Park? Well, for one thing, there is no shortage of amenities, including boutique shops, delicious diners and various points of interests that make it a great place to live.

Festival Place has always been the centre for enjoying live music in the past and into the future. It is a vibrant multi-use centre for the arts, community and business that informs the cultural and social life in the county.

There is a lively art and culture scene as well with Gallery@501, and the historic, 100-year-old Smeltzer House offers art and culture programs that keeps the artistic legacy alive.

Sherwood Park has a multitude of recreational opportunities within its borders by just a 20-minute drive east is the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail and a little further on to Elk Island Park and all the outdoor fun they offer, including stargazing as part of Alberta’s Dark Sky preserve.

There are a lot of unique restaurants and diners to quell any foodie craving in Sherwood Park, but La Patrona is a particular favourite among locals. Serving authentic Mexican food, it’s humble beginnings as a food truck grew from a dedicated following that seems to multiply every year. Their tortas and tacos are some of the best this side of the border.

“There is also the Italian Centre, and the Emerald Hills commercial centre is very close by,” Chrusch adds. “L’OCA is slated to open in April 2024, we hear, it’s like Disney World for foodies!”

There is even a local winery. Barr Estate Winery produces fruit wines from locally-sourced raspberries, strawberries, and rhubarb, and is open to the public for private tours.

New residential areas

Hearthstone by Mattamy Homes is on the northeast corner of Sherwood Park and has seen strong demand since it opened last year.

“Hearthstone’s Farmhouse Aesthetic makes the community feel so cozy and timeless, and our signature Widelot design of the single-family homes here creates a very pleasing streetscape,” Chrusch says.

The timeless vision for Hearthstone is enhanced by its close-to-nature location that makes it a haven for active and recreation-minded families. “We have the Oldman Creek Ravine as our backyard with 37 kilometres of walking trails and a wildlife corridor,” she adds.

Hearthstone offers a wide range of choices for homes to suit different budgets, and include single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes. The community covers a total of 320 acres and will have over 1,750 homes on buildout.

Mattamy is the exclusive builder and developer of Hearthstone, and there are six showhomes now open to visit displaying the wide array of home styles and lifestyles available.

Cambrian by Rohit Communities prides itself as one of the most exclusive enclaves in Sherwood Park, where homes offer an escape from the urban jungle into an urbane, peaceful residential neighborhood that works with nature rather than against it.

“Cambrian is a ravine community where you find everything in one place,” says Scott Rudman, Senior Project Manager, Rohit Communities.

“This master-planned community has a variety of home styles to choose from with future commercial sites, a school, multi-family apartments, parks, and open spaces, and more. There are mixed-use trails that meander along the Oldman Creek Ravine and through the neighbourhood’s rolling landscape connecting the parks and other amenities.”

Residents get to choose among award-winning builders, including ART Homes (which will be building their biggest showhome yet), Bedrock Homes, Gill Built Homes, Rohit Communities, San Rufo Homes, and Victory Homes.

There are a variety of home styles offered to suit every lifestyle, including single-family front-attached garage homes, Zero Lot Line front and rear detached garage homes; as well as duplexes (Front-Back Duplexes) and townhomes.

Sherwood Park also boasts the affluent Sherwood Golf and Country Cub Estates community. Developed by Landrex, it offers some of the most luxurious homes this side of Edmonton. Homebuyers also get a terrific amount of choice for front drive, laned and duplex homes in Qualico Communities’ Summerwood. SummerWood is conveniently located near grocery stores, shopping, restaurants, and recreation facilities. For ease of access, the Yellowhead Highway and Highway 21 are just minutes away.

Residents have a wide choice of housing options to choose from, including multi-family housing, single-family, and executive estate homes. The largest growth of structure type between 2011 and 2016 continues to be single- detached homes with 1,265 new homes added. The second largest growth in structure types was in low-rise apartment buildings (fewer than five storeys) and semi- detached homes.

It really doesn’t matter whether it’s a city, town, or hamlet, Sherwood Park has something for everyone to like.