Red Willow Summer
We’re celebrating 35 years of the Red Willow Trail System in St. Albert! Covering 22 km, the system stretches down the Sturgeon River, connecting the city's major parks to several neighbourhoods and urban areas. Everyone can enjoy the trails by walking, wheeling or running. The Sturgeon River in St. Albert is historically referred to in Cree as mihkwapemak, which translates to Red Willow.
Celebrate the Red Willow, Presented by Sturgeon River Utilities
A complete loop for the whole group. Join us to celebrate 35 years of the Red Willow Trail System on October 17! This free celebration will feature activities and entertainment at Lions Park, Oakmont Trail, and Grey Nuns White Spruce Park. Each site will have activities and entertainment for a full afternoon of family fun, including bouncy castles, food trucks, artists, performers and a photography walk.
Event Locations:
Visit all three locations to take part in a scavenger hunt with 5 prizes up for grabs!
Lions Park, 1-4 p.m.
- Meet me on the Trail Virtual Race Challenge medal and T-shirt pick-up
- Bouncy castle and lawn games
- Food truck
- Official welcome and ceremony: 2-2:30 p.m.
- Performance, presentation and ribbon cutting for Meadowview Trail
- Parking: Lions Park parking lot
- Washrooms are available on site
Oakmont Trail, Blais Pedestrian Bridge at Otter Crescent, 1-4 p.m.
- Self-guided litter pick-up
- Self-serve treats
- See and cross the new footbridge
- Local artist Samantha Williams Chapelsky will be live painting the fall landscape
- Live string music performances
- Parking: Neighborhood parking
- Washrooms are available on site.
Grey Nuns White Spruce Park, 1-4 p.m.
- Nature-based activities and storytelling with Musée Heritage including:
- Nature stamping
- River Lot map exploration
- A touch table with photos and artifacts
- Photography Walk with Memory Roth:
- Times: 1:15 – 2 p.m., 2:45 – 3:30 p.m.
- Discover the history of Grey Nuns White Spruce Park, learn about the birds and wildlife that call the park home, and some of the plants that make up this unique forest. Bring whatever camera you have; even your phone camera will do the trick. Please dress for the weather, bring a water bottle and bug spray, and wear closed-toe shoes.
- Pre-packaged free Bannock Treats from Teepee Treats
- Parking: Neighborhood parking or Riel Recreation Area parking lot
- Washrooms are available on site.
Meet Me on the Trail - Virtual Race
Run, walk, or wheel the Red Willow system! As part of celebrating 35 years of the Red Willow Trail system, we’re putting on a virtual race. You can begin tracking your distance right after you sign up. Distance can be tracked manually or by syncing a fitness tracker.
Participation is easy:
- Sign up for the race
- Track your distance
- Then pick up your commemorative medal and T-shirt on October 17 at Celebrate the Red Willow!
Please note: Registration and tracking for the race are through a third-party platform.
Remember, this is a virtual race that you can complete anywhere, anytime and at any pace once you’ve signed up.
Race Timeline:
- June 3 – October 17, 2026
Distance Options:
- Run the Red Willow: 22 km
- Complete the full distance of the Red Willow Trail System
- Run the City: 128 km
- Complete the full distance of the trail system in St. Albert
Race Fees, Sign-up and Important Dates:
- Race fees are $30, which includes a commemorative medal and T-shirt.
- Sign up online
- If you’re on the competitive side, make sure you enter your distance by September 15. Participants with the fastest times will get a shoutout at the Celebrate Red Willow event on October 17.
Related Pages
Last edited: September 15, 2026
