Discover Sherwood Park Strathcona County April 2017 | Page 30
COMMUNITIES
Hastings Lake
The hamlet of Hastings Lake is located approximately 40
kilometres east of Sherwood Park and can be reached either
by taking Highway 14 or Wye Road. The lake was renamed in
1884 for Tom Hastings, a member of Tyrell’s geological survey
party. The original name was a-ka-ka-kwa-tikh, which in the
Cree language means “the lake that does not freeze”. In 1988, Kawtihk Recreational Retreat
opened as the only commercially operated facility on the lake. Also found on Hastings Lake
are the privately owned Legion of Frontiersmen.
The hamlet itself consists of a mix of 92 full time residences and summer cott ages. With
its natural shoreline and many islands, Hastings Lake is home to many species of water
birds, including the White Pelican and the Cormorant – making it a popular bird watching
destination. The islands of Hastings Lake were named as one of the “Special Places 2000”
by the Alberta Government. The large forested area in the Hastings Lake Watershed is a key
area for moose and white-tailed deer.
With close proximity to the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Wildlife Grazing and Provincial Recreation
Area and the Waskahegan Staging Area, many hiking and cross-country skiing possibilities
exist. The Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival takes place on the second Saturday in February
every winter. This world renowned event is a premier, affordable, family-oriented, cross-country
ski event honouring the spirit of the Norwegian Birkebeiner legend.
Just 4km south of the lake on Range Road 204 is Hasting Lake Hall. Since the 1940s and
with the help of the dedicated volunteers, the hall has been a centre for local gatherings
and popular annual events.
For hall bookings see page 43.
Josephburg
Pioneer families who settled around what would
become the hamlet of Josephburg
arrived from Austria in
the 1890s. Most recent
population count is 233.
Josephburg is an active
farming community near
the Scotford industrial
area, home to world-
class petrochemical industries. It is 10 minutes south east
of Fort Saskatchewan in the northern portion of Strathcona
County.
The hamlet is home to a 4500 foot airport which is not only used by
industry but also many recreational flyers. In addition to the airport, the
hamlet is situated next to a secondary highway and the CP rail line.
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