Lakefront Improvements

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Starting July 30, 2025 the Town of Sylvan Lake Parks Department is starting to work on projects that were outlined in the 2020 Sylvan Lake Lakefront Usage Strategy (LUS). This Strategy was based on the 2019 Sustainable Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan (SWARP).

Why?

  • To better manage and provide a safer experience for both Sylvan Lake residents and the visitors who come to boat, swim and enjoy the lake

Leased from the Government of Alberta

  • To make these projects possible, the Town has leased the shore area from the Province, learn more here

What we heard

Learn more

Starting July 30, 2025 the Town of Sylvan Lake Parks Department is starting to work on projects that were outlined in the 2020 Sylvan Lake Lakefront Usage Strategy (LUS). This Strategy was based on the 2019 Sustainable Waterfront Area Redevelopment Plan (SWARP).

Why?

  • To better manage and provide a safer experience for both Sylvan Lake residents and the visitors who come to boat, swim and enjoy the lake

Leased from the Government of Alberta

  • To make these projects possible, the Town has leased the shore area from the Province, learn more here

What we heard

Learn more

  • Projects

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    To meet the needs in the our Sylvan Lake Lakefront Usage Strategy, Council approved these waterfront projects. We'll post more information about each project as it becomes available.

    Capital Projects


    2025


    Public day mooring (2025)

    • A new public day mooring dock installed next to lighthouse park. This dock is for day use only, no overnight mooring

    • The dock will be installed every spring and removed in the fall.

    • Details on pages 12, 19, 30 of the Lakefront Usage Strategy

    • Status: Completed July 30, 2025


    Accessible ramp (2025)

    • A new accessible ramp into the water at approximately 42 street, off Centennial

    To meet the needs in the our Sylvan Lake Lakefront Usage Strategy, Council approved these waterfront projects. We'll post more information about each project as it becomes available.

    Capital Projects


    2025


    Public day mooring (2025)

    • A new public day mooring dock installed next to lighthouse park. This dock is for day use only, no overnight mooring

    • The dock will be installed every spring and removed in the fall.

    • Details on pages 12, 19, 30 of the Lakefront Usage Strategy

    • Status: Completed July 30, 2025


    Accessible ramp (2025)

    • A new accessible ramp into the water at approximately 42 street, off Centennial Park

    • Details on pages 24 of the Lakefront Usage Strategy

    • Status: Ongoing and will be completed in early 2026.


    Pier improvements:

    Aluminum ladder

    • The old ladders had broken rungs that exposed sharp edges. They were removed and replaced with safe aluminum ladders.

    • Status: Completed June 2025

    Electrical outlets

    • Added electrical outlets to the pier to accommodate the Winter Village light display and to assist with special events on the pier.

    • Lowering the number of extension cords needed, reducing the risk of tripping and falling.

    • Status: Completed September 2025

    Increasing pedestrian safety along the lakefront

    • Adding enhanced safety measures along a portion of the lakefront for the purpose of deterring and preventing any vehicles from entering the park and causing damage or harming people:

    • pebble bollards

    • steel bollards

    • benches

    • garbage bins

    • Status: Ongoing and will be completed in 2026.


    2026


    Swim zone

    • Adding a swim zone in the bay to the west of the pier to create a safe area to separate swimming and boating

    • Status: installation June 2026

    Accessible dock

    • Adding a floating dock along the west side of the pier that will include mobility access to boats and the boating drop-off / pick-up location

    • Status: installation June 2026

    Increasing pedestrian safety along the lakefront continued

    • Continue adding safety measures along a portion of the lakefront for the purpose of deterring and preventing any vehicles from entering the park and causing damage or harming people

    • Status: ongoing and will be completed in 2026.


    Pier boardwalk upgrades

    • Removal and replacement of existing boardwalk to enhance usability and user safety

    • Status: Construction. 2026.


  • News & Budget

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    Town leases the waterfront, July 28, 2025

    To make these projects possible, the Province of Alberta and Town of Sylvan Lake have entered into a Lease Agreement through 2050. The lease area covers:

    • Over 18 ha of the lakefront north of the retaining wall, including sand and water
    • Extends from 34 Street to Lighthouse Park at the mouth of the marina, and varies from approximately 50 m to 175 m into the lake

    "This is a landmark moment for Sylvan Lake. After years of hard work and collaboration, I’m thrilled to see our Departmental Miscellaneous Lease approved — the first of its kind in Alberta. A heartfelt thank you to our MLA Devin Dreeshen, and everyone who helped get this across the finish line. We’re now better equipped to bring our vision for the waterfront to life and continue building a community that’s deeply connected to our lake." Megan Hanson, Mayor

    Why?

    • To better manage and provide a safer experience for Sylvan Lake residents and the hundreds of thousands of park visitors who come to boat, swim and enjoy the lake


    Budget

    Each project has its own budget and phases. Some may be completed over multiple years, we post budgets as projects start.


    2024


    Equipment access point

    • Budget 2024: Completed in-house, Construction
    • Funding Source: Operating Budget
    • Progress: Completed in 2024


    2025


    Public day mooring


    Accessible ramp


    Pier improvements:

    Electrical outlets

    Aluminum ladders

    Increased safety measures


    2026


    Swim zone

    Accessible dock

    Increasing safety measures

    Pier boardwalk upgrades

    Town leases the waterfront, July 28, 2025

    To make these projects possible, the Province of Alberta and Town of Sylvan Lake have entered into a Lease Agreement through 2050. The lease area covers:

    • Over 18 ha of the lakefront north of the retaining wall, including sand and water
    • Extends from 34 Street to Lighthouse Park at the mouth of the marina, and varies from approximately 50 m to 175 m into the lake

    "This is a landmark moment for Sylvan Lake. After years of hard work and collaboration, I’m thrilled to see our Departmental Miscellaneous Lease approved — the first of its kind in Alberta. A heartfelt thank you to our MLA Devin Dreeshen, and everyone who helped get this across the finish line. We’re now better equipped to bring our vision for the waterfront to life and continue building a community that’s deeply connected to our lake." Megan Hanson, Mayor

    Why?

    • To better manage and provide a safer experience for Sylvan Lake residents and the hundreds of thousands of park visitors who come to boat, swim and enjoy the lake


    Budget

    Each project has its own budget and phases. Some may be completed over multiple years, we post budgets as projects start.


    2024


    Equipment access point

    • Budget 2024: Completed in-house, Construction
    • Funding Source: Operating Budget
    • Progress: Completed in 2024


    2025


    Public day mooring


    Accessible ramp


    Pier improvements:

    Electrical outlets

    Aluminum ladders

    Increased safety measures


    2026


    Swim zone

    Accessible dock

    Increasing safety measures

    Pier boardwalk upgrades

Page last updated: 06 Jan 2026, 01:45 PM