Trail clearing
After a snowfall, Strathcona County follows a priority system for clearing trails and sidewalks in Sherwood Park and rural hamlets.
The County works to clear all priorities within five or six days, but it can take up to eight days from the start of a snowfall to clear all trails and sidewalks.

Priority |
Locations |
1 |
Centre in the Park and Bethel Transit Centre |
2 |
Adjacent to school zones and major County facilities |
3 |
Along major arterial roadways, collector roadways and trail linkages within residential areas and rural hamlets |
4 |
Typically narrower paths within neighbourhoods that interconnect residential streets |
Frequently asked questions
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1. Going outside and walking, running, etc. is so important right now—why can’t you clear the trails faster?
Permanent link to Going outside and walking, running, etc. is so important right now—why can’t you clear the trails faster?We clear the trails as quickly as we can with the resources and equipment available to us. With more than 200 km of trails to maintain, we follow a priority system that ensures the most highly used areas are cleared first.
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2. How long does it usually take the County to clear the trails that run through residential areas?
Permanent link to How long does it usually take the County to clear the trails that run through residential areas?Trails linkages within residential areas are Priority 3 pathways, which we typically start clearing within three days after the start of a snowfall.
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3. What happens if it snows again while clearing is underway?
Permanent link to What happens if it snows again while clearing is underway?We will go back and start clearing the Priority 1 and 2 trails. Once that is complete, we will pick up where we left off before the snowfall.
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4. How does the County manage icy conditions on trails and sidewalks?
Permanent link to How does the County manage icy conditions on trails and sidewalks?Trails are continuously travelled by a maintenance team to address any change in conditions or concerns submitted to the County by trail users.
We primarily use rock chips on icy trails. In extreme circumstances, we will use an environmentally friendly ice melt. High traffic locations near County facilities also use the same ice melt product.
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5. Are the products used safe for animals?
Permanent link to Are the products used safe for animals?Yes, rock chips and the ice melt product are both safe for animals.
Further information:
Transportation and Agriculture Services
Phone: 780-417-7100
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