Hamlet Reinvestment Strategy

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What is a Hamlet?

Hamlets are unincorporated urban communities within the County that provide a range of land uses, housing types, employment and amenities to a local service area. Parkland County’s seven hamlets range in both population size and service level.

Parkland County has eight Hamlets; Entwistle, Gainford, Fallis, Duffield, Carvel, Tomahawk, Keephills, and Wabamun

These hamlets each have a unique history and relationship with their surrounding agricultural areas and are an important part of the County’s identity. The County supports continued prosperity and growth in hamlets where adequate infrastructure and land is available.

To view these hamlets and their boundaries please use our Discover Parkland tool.

Hamlet Reinvestment Strategy

We have now finalized the Strategy and will be working on strategic priorities for implementation. Please keep a look out for signs in your community or the County’s social media outlets for information regarding ongoing hamlet initiatives.

What we did

An online survey was done November 2021, to collect input on community infrastructure and services that are important for Hamlet residents.
Residents provided feedback on their level of satisfaction with County services such as schools, parks, recreation facilities, recycling and solid waste services, protective services and the social, cultural and institutional uses of our shared spaces.

Why we did it

Community infrastructure and services support economic growth and help ensure our community continues to be a viable place to live and work.
The survey will help identify gaps in service provision and highlight what you value most.
Tells us how residents want to experience and benefit from these services to ensure we continue to create a high quality of life for everyone.
Input we received will help ensure we are budgeting and planning according to priorities that bring the most value to our community.
We believe all hamlet residents should have access to quality community infrastructure and services that support economic development and strengthen the social and cultural fabric of our community.
By embracing our future together, we can build a growing economy that allows for:
- Local employment opportunities;
- Low residential taxes;
- Opportunities for starting and growing a business;
- A strong sense of community and vibrant, rural character;
- A range of amenities; and
- Resilient natural ecosystems.

Results from the Survey

Thank you for your feedback. The information provided was used to build the final Hamlet Reinvestment Strategy. Summarized feedback from the community can be found in Hamlet Reinvestment Strategy Appendices A, D and E

Services

Beautification

Beautification serves to maintain clean and inviting communities. The service’s purpose is to create a sense of pride and identity for residents and showcase all the hamlets have to offer to potential businesses or residents.

Connected Communities

Internet access is a necessity for business, education, and personal use. Parkland County is one of the first municipalities in Alberta to set a strategic goal of providing reliable, reasonably priced, high-speed Internet to 95% or more of its residents. Currently, Parkland County is laying fibre to Entwistle for better internet connectivity. The County is a leader in recognizing broadband as an essential utility, similar to roads, water and sewer, and solid waste disposal.

Drainage

Parkland County aims to provide effective and environmentally responsible stormwater conveyance and collection on public land and in road right of way. Drainage Services are provided to all of Parkland County.

Drainage Services include:

Culvert Operations & Maintenance
Catching and brushing
Stormwater collection system and treatment

Economic Diversification

Parkland County's Economic Diversification department actively promotes business growth, development, and tourism in the County. Parkland County offers development support, project management, process support, consultation and advice, and training.

Emergency Services

Emergency services are provided to all County residents to ensure the safety of all residents.

Services include:

Fire and Rescue

The County’s fire stations are located in Wabamun, Tomahawk, Seba Beach, Acheson, and Parkland Village. Additional coverage is provided through partnerships with Devon, Evansburg, and Stony Plain.

Enforcement

RCMP services are provided through the Province according to an agreement with the federal government
The County has Peace Officers located in Stony Plain and Tomahawk.

Emergency Management
Ambulance

Ground ambulance services in Parkland County are the responsibility of the provincial health authority, Alberta Health Services (AHS), and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year

Engineering

Engineering Services develop, maintain and manage all Parkland County-owned infrastructure such as roads and drainage. Engineering Services also includes the following service areas:

Asset Management
Development Engineering
Land Interests Requirements – Municipal
Road Construction
Transit
Shallow Utility – Utility Line Applications

Libraries

Parkland County belongs to the Yellowhead Regional Library System. Parkland County residents can borrow books from any library in the province. Libraries offer programming, lending, as well as funding and administration services. Branch are located in Wabamun, Entwistle, Keephills, Tomahawk, and Duffield.

Planning and Land Use

Long-Range Land Use Plans, Strategies and Studies are used to ensure Council's Long-Term Strategic Plan's vision and goals are reflected in the County’s long-term plans. The plans created by the department include:

Intermunicipal Development Plans, the Municipal Development Plan and Area Structure Plans
Statutory plans and amendments to support subdivision and development functions
Growth plans and technical studies

Recreation and Natural Areas

Facilities

The County manages and maintains many facilities and outdoor spaces, and partners with other organizations and municipalities to provide a variety of amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Programs

County programs are offered through partner organizations. Summer camps are offered for children ages 6 – 11 at various locations across the County.
Community Leagues throughout the County provide a variety of direct programming to residents. Youth groups and parent and tot groups run as partnerships.
A variety of programming is available including swimming lessons, public swim, first aid courses, youth programs, and senior programs.

Roads

The County is responsible for the maintenance of all Range Roads and Township Roads, and some subdivision roads. Each year, Parkland County undertakes several construction projects to care for these roads. Roads services include:

Gravel to surfaced road upgrades and maintenance
Snow removal and ice control
Brush control
Road right of way and maintenance
Preservation
Replacement

Solid Waste

Parkland County intends to manage waste and divert recyclables and organics effectively while controlling adverse impacts to the environment or community. Waste Collection is provided to residents of Entwistle. Waste Transfer Stations are accessible for all rural and Hamlet residents.

Tourism

Parkland County has hundreds of businesses serving the tourism sector. The County has the potential to increase the size and diversity of its tourism sector significantly with its stunning natural amenities, available land parcels, and business supports.

Hamlets have an opportunity to leverage their location and the surrounding exceptional natural areas and recreation opportunities to spur development.

Wastewater

Parkland County aims to provide a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible wastewater collection and treatment. Municipal wastewater collection and treatment is provided in three Hamlets: Entwistle, Tomahawk, and Duffield. Each Hamlet has an annual operations and maintenance budget to deliver this service to its residents.

Water

Parkland County aims to provide safe, reliable, and good quality drinking water to serve community needs. Municipal water servicing is provided to the Hamlet of Entwistle. Entwistle has an annual operations and maintenance budget to deliver this service to residents funded through utility rates.

Hamlet	Growth Ranking	Population	Land Area (Sq Km)	Description	Community Services
Entwistle	Priority	389	1.90	Entwistle is located on the western edge of Parkland County on the east bank of the Pembina River, along highway 16 and the Canadian National Railway railroad. Some services are shared between Entwistle and Evansburg, which is located on the other side of the Pembina River in Yellowhead County.	SchoolsPublic Library Restaurants Medical Centre Gas Stations Banks Food Market Canada Post Tourism
Tomahawk	Growth	62	1.40	Tomahawk is a hamlet located on Highway 759, in the southwest corner of Parkland County.	Tomahawk School (K-9) Public Library Gas Station Churches Restaurants General Store
Duffield	Growth	67	0.81	Duffield is a hamlet located in central Parkland County, approximately 5 km south of Highway 16.	Duffield School (K-9) Food/Gas Station Internet Tower Community Hall
Keephills	Rural	48	0.56	Keephills is located south of Provincial Highway 627 and north of the North Saskatchewan River Valley.	Public Library Language Classes Active Community Association Internet Tower
Gainford	Rural	79	1.89	Gainford is located in the west portion of Parkland County along the south bank of Isle Lake and north of Provincial Highway 16	Boat launch area Proximity to Day Use Park Antique store/upholstery shop Auto repair shop
Fallis	Rural	60	0.85	Fallis is located on the north-west bank of Wabamun Lake, south of Provincial Highway 16.	YMCA and YWCA camps Community Hall Franklin Wetlands Natural Area
Carvel	Rural	19	0.53	Carvel is centrally located within the County atthe intersection of the Canadian NationalRailway rail line and Range Road 23. The hamletis in close proximity to Mink Lake.	Ukrainian Catholic Church General Store

Questions?

Contact our team by email Sustainability@parklandcounty.com or phone 780-968-8888 ext. 8467