William Hawrelak Park, Riverside park in Edmonton, Alberta.
William Hawrelak Park is a 350-acre riverside park in Edmonton's river valley beside the North Saskatchewan River, with man-made lakes dug between 1959 and 1964, perimeter walking trails, picnic sites with fire pits, a playground and beach volleyball nets. Five pavilions built in 1967-68 and 1973 stand in the park, and the Heritage Amphitheatre, completed in 1985, seats 1,133 people.
The site was acquired by the city in 1922 and development began in 1954 following Mayor William Hawrelak's vision. The artificial lakes were created between 1959 and 1964 and have shaped the park since then.
The park hosts the Silver Skate Festival every year and provides a stage for performances at the Heritage Amphitheatre. It functions as a gathering place where local communities and visitors come together for celebrations and outdoor events.
The park is open daily from 5 am to 11 pm. The Heritage Amphitheatre has 1,133 fixed seats and grass seating for up to 2,900; parking is limited, so park-and-ride buses from the University of Alberta serve major events. Trails around the perimeter become cross-country ski routes in winter.
The park contains five pavilions designed in the West Coast Modernist style by Bittorf & Wensley between 1967 and 1973. These buildings are being evaluated for inclusion on Edmonton's Inventory of Historic Resources.
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