COVID-19

All parks are now open for walks with your immediate household only. We must stress the importance of physical distancing, even if and especially when you are outside and in public spaces. It is imperative we maintain the physical distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) away from others.

Community halls in Parkland County have started to reopen. Please contact the specific community hall directly to obtain booking information.

At this time all major construction projects including the Entwistle Outdoor Pool and Community Hub are continuing and remain on-schedule. 

Delayed opening for Entwistle Outdoor Pool

While construction for the Entwistle Outdoor Pool and Community Hub is on schedule, given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to not open the Entwistle Outdoor Pool for the 2020 season. We believe the most responsible decision is to wait to open the pool until the 2021 season. We too, are disappointed, but are hopeful for the future of this new facility and cannot wait to celebrate the pool’s opening in 2021.

With risk mitigation strategies in place, construction remains on schedule for the Entwistle Pool and Community Hub. Our hope is to move the library in to the building when construction is complete and to open to the public at the earliest possible opportunity. However, we continue to take this day by day as the situation around COVID-19 continually changes.

Thank you for your continued patience and support. 

For the latest project updates, visit www.parklandcounty.com/ECH.

The Animal Shelter will remaining open with modified hours of 12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. We still ask residents to avoid visiting the location unless absolutely necessary to follow appropriate social distancing measures.

As of April 20, the Animal Shelter will no longer be accepting cash payments. Payments can be made by debit or credit card.

Transfer stations remain open for their regular operating hours. However, all ‘Take it or Leave it’ areas at the transfer stations are closed to the public. 

As of April 9, 2020, all transfer stations will no longer be accepting cash. Payments must be made with a debit or credit card. 

April 23, 2020

We've compiled the supports available to support residents and businesses through the COVID-19 crisis, from both the federal and provincial governments. If you need support, be sure to check out what's available to you. This page is meant to serve as a high-level overview of what is available, and links off to the appropriate sources for more information. 

April 20, 2020

As of Monday, April 20, 2020, the Animal Shelter will temporarily be suspending cash payments. Payments must be made by debit or credit card only. 

Given the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to not open the Entwistle Outdoor Pool for the 2020 season. We believe the most responsible decision is to wait to open the pool until the 2021 season. We too, are disappointed, but are hopeful for the future of this new facility and cannot wait to celebrate the pool’s opening in 2021.

With risk mitigation strategies in place, construction remains on schedule for the Entwistle Pool and Community Hub. Our hope is to move the library in to the building when construction is complete and to open to the public at the earliest possible opportunity. However, we continue to take this day by day as the situation around COVID-19 continually changes.

Thank you for your continued patience and support. 

For the latest project updates, visit www.parklandcounty.com/ECH.

Transfer stations move to plastic payment methods only

Effective Saturday, April 11, all Parkland County transfer stations will temporarily suspend cash payments to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Payment can be made by debit or credit card. Thank you for your cooperation as we do our part to prevent the spread  while maintaining services for our residents. 

Easter "Office" Closure

While our physical offices have been closed for a few weeks, County employees have been busy working from home wherever possible to ensure your questions are answered promptly and services are maintained. With that said, County Services will be closed on Friday and Monday for the Easter weekend, including the Animal Shelter and Transfer Stations. Essential services will be maintained. Please note: The Transfer Station will be open on Saturday.

Easter and Social Distancing

As tempting as it may be to have the family together for the holiday weekend, with the prevention measures in place people should not be gathering in a physical space together, even in small groups, outside of your immediate household. We encourage you to gather virtually instead through video chats (FaceTime, Google Duo, Facebook video chat, etc), group chats or phone calls with your friends and family over the holiday weekend. We are all in this together and must do everything we can to prevent the spread.

As of today, Wednesday, April 8, we have made the difficult decision to close Chickakoo Park to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. While the outdoors can provide a great change of scenary from our homes, it is imperative we maintain the physical distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) away from others.

At this time, our other parks remain open for walks with your immediate household only. We must stress the importance of physical distancing, even if and especially when you are outside and in public spaces.

Council defers tax penalty deadline and municipal utility bills to reduce economic impact of COVID-19 on residents.

This morning, Parkland County Council voted to defer the property tax penalty deadline to August 31, 2020 and allow for a 90 day deferral on all municipal utility bills.

“As we continue to navigate these unprecedented circumstances, our residents’ safety and wellbeing is our top priority,” said Mayor Rod Shaigec. “We’re looking at different options to reduce the financial strain on our residents while ensuring we can still deliver the services our residents need.”

Residents experiencing financial hardship can pay their property any time before August 31, 2020 and not face any penalties. After August 31, all regular tax penalties will apply which include a 5% penalty on September 1. Property tax notices will be mailed out in May.

If you are able to meet the regular June 30 deadline, you are encouraged to do so.

Municipal utility bills including water, wastewater, and/or curbside waste pickup (in Entwistle) can be deferred without penalty for up to 90 days through to June.

For more information on how the utility bill deferral works, view our 90-day Utility Deferral info sheet.

For more information on taxes, visit our Taxes and Assessment webpage.

To protect the health and safety of Albertans, law enforcement agencies now have full authority to enforce public health orders and issue fines for violations.

• Mandatory 14-day self-isolation for returning international travellers or close contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19.
• Mandatory 10-day self-isolation for people with symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing illness or health condition: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat.
• Violation of mass gathering restrictions are now legally enforceable and subject to fines.

You can submit a complaint online to report violations of these public health orders under the self-isolation or mass gathering restriction links above.

Learn more about these enforcement updates and the public health orders on the Government of Alberta’s website for the COVID-19 response.

Preparing for farm disruptions

With the looming disruptions that could potentially occur due to the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, animal managers should start to think about getting ready for on-farm disruptions.

View the full document ‘How to Prepare your Farm for COVID-19’ from the Canadian Veterianian Medical Association.

Making sure we’re prepared for our furry friends during COVID-19

We’re pretty sure our furry friends are happy as can be with the extra cuddle time they’ve been getting as we all spend more time at home practicing proper social distancing. Our Enforcement Services team has put together some tips for ensuring you have a plan in place should you become ill and need somebody to take care of your pets:

• Identify a family member or friend who can care for your pets if someone in the household becomes too ill to take care of them on their own
• Have crates, food, and extra supplies on hand for movement or relocation, if necessary.
• Keep all animal vaccines up to date and have copies of records available in the event boarding becomes necessary.
• Ensure all pet medications are documented with dosages and administering directions. It’s a good idea to include the prescription from your vet with the medications in your pet’s to-go bag.
• Ensure pets have proper identification; a collar with an ID tag, a microchip with up-to-date contact information.

For more information on COVID-19 and animals, visit Canada’s ‘Latest CFIA information for consumers on food and animal health – COVID-19’

Meridian Sports Park and public playgrounds closed

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic Parkland County has made the difficult decision to close Meridian Sports Park indefinitely. All bookings have been cancelled and we will be working to refund all deposits we have received.

For your health and safety, playgrounds have also been closed to the public. Playground structures are not sanitized. Please stay off of the playground equipment at any of the parks or community halls throughout the County.

At this time, our parks and trail systems remain open to the public. Please ensure you practice social distancing and remain 6 feet away from others you may see out on the trails.

Transit fares temporarily suspended; Route 562 permanently cancelled.

Effective Wednesday, March 25, the City of Spruce Grove has temporarily suspended fare collection on all Spruce Grove buses. All entry on commuter buses will be through the rear doors only.

Further, effective Monday, March 30, transit Route 562 will be permanently cancelled. The cancellation of Route 562 is due to the current situation with COVID-19, as well as an ongoing decline in ridership. Route 561 will continue to operate on its usual schedule.  The Acheson Shuttle will continue to run from Zone 1.

For more information on transit in Acheson, please visit www.parklandcounty.com/transit

All Parkland County transfer stations remain open with regular hours.View the Transfer Station page for each facility's operating hours.

We are asking the community to only use these facilities for emergent or critical needs to reduce person to person contact. If you must use a transfer station, use proper social distancing. 

Showing symptons of COVID-19? Please stay away from the transfer stations and self-isolate yourself to help prevent the spread of this virus. 

As our first responders continue to protect our community during this pandemic, it is important we keep them safe so they can keep us safe. Maintain 6 feet between yourself and any police, fire, EMS or any other first responders.  If you have been sick, in contact with somebody who is sick, have travelled, or are self-isolating, let our dispatchers know when you call 9-1-1 and tell the first responders when they arrive on scene.

Social distancing is imperative to help prevent the spread and keep our first responders healthy so they can continue to protect our community. For more information on social distancing, visit Alberta's Prevent The Spread webpage. 

• At the end of the day today, all ‘Take it or Leave it’ areas at the Transfer Stations will be closed to the public. However, all Transfer Stations will remain open for their regular operating hours. 
• Just a reminder, the Animal Shelter will be closed over the weekend with their adjusted hours. 

We must all do our part to help prevent the spread. Be sure to practice good hygiene and practice social distancing to help you reduce your risk by minimizing contact with others in the community. Even though we are practicing social distancing, if you are well, be sure to check in on your neighbours and make sure they have everything they need and are okay.

Community halls

All Community Halls in Parkland County should now be closed to the public, due to new public health measures effective March 17, specifically:

• all events over 50 people to be cancelled
• no attendance at rec centres, casinos, bingo halls, bars, theatres and other facilities

Construction projects

At this time all major construction projects including the Entwistle Outdoor Pool and Community Hub are continuing and remain on-schedule. The situation could change quickly and we will update residents should there be any changes.

Making payments

If you need to make a payment and do not have online banking please contact us at 780-968-8888 to discuss alternative payment arrangements.

Invoice payments

The Financial Reporting department has developed modified work flows to ensure the accounts payable process is not disrupted. This means that despite the current situation all vendors will be paid on time. Should you notice any disruptions in invoices not being paid on time, please email us at accountspayable@parklandcounty.com.

Animal Shelter hours

The Animal Shelter will remaining open with modified hours of 12:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. We still ask residents to avoid visiting the location unless absolutely necessary to follow appropriate social distancing measures.

While the Animal Shelter and Transfer Stations are remaining open with regular hours, we are asking that residents avoid visiting these locations unless absolutely necessary to follow appropriate social distancing measures.

Please note that all other County buildings are now closed to the public. If there is an emergent need to visit these locations, please call us at 780-968-8888 to book an appointment.

As the situation around COVID-19 continues to unfold, Parkland County is taking necessary actions to respond to this rapidly changing issue.

Starting Monday, March 16, we will be posting daily website updates on this page to keep our community informed during this rapidly changing situation.

County Staff have been asked to work from home where possible and to avoid in-person meetings. All business related travel including offsite meetings, courses and conferences have been banned and staff have been asked to reconsider any personal travel plans.