Community Overview
Spruce Grove — "The Grove"
What began as a modest prairie railway town in 1907 has grown into one of Alberta's most dynamic cities. Spruce Grove is the ninth-largest city in Alberta and one of the Edmonton region's fastest-growing communities — expanding over 10% between 2016 and 2021. Close enough to Edmonton for every amenity, far enough away for a true sense of community.
| Founded | 1907 (Village); Town 1971; City March 1, 1986 |
| Status | City within Parkland County, Edmonton Metropolitan Region |
| Population | 37,645 (2021 Census) — Alberta's 9th largest city |
| Location | 11 km west of Edmonton; adjacent to Stony Plain & Parkland County |
| Elevation | 709 m (2,326 ft) above sea level |
| Postal Codes | T7X, T7Y | Area Codes: 780, 587, 825 |
| Mayor | Jeff Acker |
| MP (Federal) | Dane Lloyd |
| MLA (Provincial) | Searle Turton |
| Major Highways | Hwy 16 (Yellowhead — no traffic lights through city) & Hwy 16A |
| City Website | sprucegrove.org |
Lifestyle & Amenities
A Community Built for Living Well
Spruce Grove residents enjoy four distinct seasons of outdoor recreation, vibrant arts, sport culture, and a neighbourly community spirit that makes it feel like home from day one.
🌸
Spring
Trail walks through Heritage Grove, outdoor festivals, community garden prep, and park reopenings as the city comes alive.
☀️
Summer
Canada Day in Jubilee Park, outdoor concerts at Horizon Stage, Spruce Grove Saints baseball, splash parks for kids, and Wabamun Lake adventures.
🍂
Fall
Trail hikes through golden aspen, Spruce Grove Saints hockey season opener, community awards gala, and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
❄️
Winter
Outdoor skating rinks, Light Up Spruce Grove holiday event, indoor swimming at Tri Leisure Centre, and cozy café culture along Hwy 16A.
🏊
World-Class Recreation
TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre — indoor pool, NHL-size ice rinks, fitness gym, soccer fields, and multi-use courts shared with Stony Plain and Parkland County.
🎭
Arts & Culture
Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre hosts year-round theatre, concerts, and community events. The Spruce Grove Art Gallery at Melcor Cultural Centre features rotating local exhibitions.
📚
Library & Learning
Spruce Grove Public Library offers books, digital resources, programming for all ages, and community meeting spaces — free to all residents.
🏒
Junior Hockey
The Spruce Grove Saints play Junior A hockey at Grant Fuhr Arena — named after the Hockey Hall of Fame goalie who grew up right here in Spruce Grove.
🎬
Entertainment
A 7-screen Cineplex theatre complex opened in 2007, plus dozens of restaurants, pubs, and nightlife options along the Hwy 16A corridor.
⛳
Golf & Outdoors
The Links at Spruce Grove golf course is right in the city. Wabamun Lake Provincial Park (~35 km) offers camping, boating, fishing, and winter cross-country skiing.
Education
Exceptional Schools for Every Family
Spruce Grove is served by two publicly funded school divisions — Parkland School Division (public) and Evergreen Catholic Separate School Division — offering English, French Immersion, and Catholic programming from Pre-K through Grade 12.
🏫 Parkland School Division
Public | psd.ca | 780-963-4010
- Broxton Park School (K–6)
- Millgrove School (K–6)
- Greystone Centennial Middle School (6–9)
- Woodhaven Middle School (7–9)
- Spruce Grove Composite High School (10–12)
- Memorial Composite High School (10–12)
- École Meridian Heights — French Immersion (K–9)
- Additional elementary schools in new neighbourhoods
✝️ Evergreen Catholic Schools
Catholic Separate | ecsd.net | 780-963-4000
- St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School (K–9)
- St. Peter the Apostle High School (10–12)
- Additional Catholic elementary programming available
🎓 Post-Secondary Access
Within commuting distance
- MacEwan University — Edmonton (~30 min)
- NAIT — Edmonton (~30 min)
- Athabasca University — online & distance learning
- Portage College — regional campuses
Parks, Trails & Outdoors
Green Spaces Around Every Corner
Spruce Grove is renowned for its extensive parks and trail network. Bike and walking trails wind throughout the city, and the Heritage Grove Trail system allows residents to explore lush forested corridors for hours.
| Park / Trail | Description |
|---|
| Heritage Grove Trail System | Multi-use paved & natural trails weaving through forested land; connects all major neighbourhoods |
| West District Park | Two full artificial-turf fields for soccer and football; grand opening 2008 (Edmonton Eskimos donated to the event) |
| Jubilee Park | Central community park with splash park, playground, picnic shelters, and community gazebo — heart of Canada Day celebrations |
| Calahoo Wetlands | Natural wetland with boardwalk; excellent birdwatching, nature photography, and peaceful walks |
| Erin Ridge Corridor | Linear green corridor with paved multi-use trail linking residential areas in the east end |
| Grove Meadows Park | Family-oriented park with playground equipment and open green space for informal recreation |
| TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre Grounds | Outdoor fields and green space adjacent to the recreation centre (shared with Stony Plain & Parkland County) |
| The Links at Spruce Grove | 18-hole public golf course within city limits — highlighted in the aerial community map |
| Wabamun Lake Prov. Park | ~35 km west — camping, boating, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing in winter |
Healthcare
Your Health, Well Covered
Spruce Grove has a growing network of primary care clinics within the city, with West View Medical Centre in adjacent Stony Plain serving as the regional hospital and Misericordia Community Hospital in west Edmonton providing specialized care.
| West View Medical Centre | Regional hospital in Stony Plain (~5 min drive) — emergency, surgery, maternity, and specialist services | 780-968-3600 |
| Misericordia Community Hospital | Specialized care in west Edmonton — approximately 25 min drive |
| Primary Care Clinics | Multiple walk-in clinics and family medicine practices in Spruce Grove |
| Pharmacy | Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall, and independent pharmacies throughout the city |
| Mental Health | Alberta Health Services counselling; 211 Alberta for community referrals; City of Spruce Grove CSD programs |
| Emergency | 911 | Alberta Health Link: 811 |
Transportation
Getting Around Spruce Grove
Two major provincial highways make Spruce Grove one of the most accessible communities west of Edmonton, with local transit and a growing cycling trail network rounding out the options.
| Hwy 16 (Yellowhead) | Express route to Edmonton — no traffic lights, two city exits; fastest commute route (~20 min) |
| Hwy 16A | Local commercial corridor through the city; connects west to Stony Plain, east to Edmonton |
| Spruce Grove Transit | Local bus service connecting key areas; schedules at sprucegrove.org/services/spruce-grove-transit |
| ETS Connection | SG Transit connects to Edmonton Transit System (ETS) at park-and-ride locations |
| Accessible Transit (ATS) | Paratransit service for residents with disabilities — pre-registration required | 780-962-7661 |
| Cycling | Extensive paved trail network; Heritage Grove Trail ideal for commuting cyclists |
| Ride-Share | Uber and Lyft operate throughout Spruce Grove |
| CN Railway | Canadian National freight rail passes through (no passenger service) |
Utilities & Waste
City Services & Waste Collection
The City of Spruce Grove provides full municipal services including weekly three-stream curbside collection. Check your neighbourhood's specific schedule at sprucegrove.org.
| Service | Details |
|---|
| 🗑️ Garbage (Black Cart) | Weekly curbside pickup — place at curb by 7:00 AM on collection day |
| ♻️ Recycling (Blue Cart) | Weekly — paper, cardboard, plastics #1–7, glass, metals |
| 🌱 Organics (Green Cart) | Weekly — food scraps, yard waste, soiled paper products |
| 📦 Bulk / Large Items | Scheduled pickup through the City | 780-962-7661 |
| ☢️ Hazardous Waste | Eco Centre drop-off — hours posted at sprucegrove.org |
| 📱 E-Waste (E-Roundup) | Free annual shredding and e-waste collection event |
| 💧 Water & Sewer | City-managed; treated water sourced from North Saskatchewan River |
| ⚡ Electricity | ATCO Electric / Fortis Alberta |
| 🔥 Natural Gas | ATCO Gas |
| ❄️ Snow Removal | City clears arterials first; residents responsible for adjacent sidewalks within 48 hours |
| 🌐 Internet | Shaw (Rogers), TELUS, and local ISPs available throughout the city |
Safety
A Safe Place to Call Home
Spruce Grove consistently ranks as one of the safer communities in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. Policing is provided by the Parkland RCMP Detachment, and the City operates its own Emergency & Protective Services for fire and bylaw enforcement.
| 🚔 Police (Non-Emergency) | Parkland RCMP Detachment — 780-963-4424 |
| 🚒 Fire Services | Spruce Grove Fire Services — 780-962-7661 |
| 🆘 Emergency | 911 |
| Crime Rate | Below-provincial-average violent crime rate; property crime typical of a growing suburban city |
| Safe City Program | City-operated community safety officers and neighbourhood patrols |
| Bylaw Enforcement | City of Spruce Grove Bylaw Office — 780-962-7661 |
| Animal Control | Animals found or at large — 780-962-7661 |
| Emergency Preparedness | City publishes emergency plans at sprucegrove.org; residents encouraged to register for emergency alerts |
Annual Events
Community Life in Spruce Grove
From summer festivals to winter celebrations, Spruce Grove's event calendar reflects its tight-knit, civic-proud community spirit.
- Canada Day Celebration — Large community celebration July 1st at Jubilee Park
- Light Up Spruce Grove — Festive winter light display and community gathering
- E-Roundup — Free annual e-waste and document shredding event
- Spruce Grove Saints Hockey — Junior A home games at Grant Fuhr & Stu Barnes Arena
- Horizon Stage Performances — Year-round theatre, dance, and concerts
- Spruce Grove Art Gallery Shows — Monthly rotating exhibitions at Melcor Cultural Centre
- Community Awards Gala — Annual recognition of outstanding volunteers
- Remembrance Day Ceremony — Community-wide gathering honouring veterans
