Summer is upon us, and there is no better time to soak up living in a community where nature is on your doorstep.
While every season at SLR offers something special in the way of activities, by the time June rolls around, we are ready to take advantage of the warm sun, cold lake, and long, beautiful days.
If you’re looking to live in a community where you and your family can enjoy the outdoors close to home, look no further! Here, we share 9 of our favourite summer activities at SLR and the surrounding area.
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Canoeing and Paddle Boarding on Spring Lake
Our residents LOVE getting out on the water and taking in the tranquil scenery in a canoe or paddle board. It’s an amazing way to start or end the day! There are no motorized boats on Spring Lake, so the experience allows for quiet reflection, a chance to listen to and watch the abundant bird life, and simply spend time reflecting, either solo or with family members. Kids have so much fun seeing their community from the vantage point of the lake, and learning how to launch, paddle, and steer.
2. Fishing for Rainbow Trout
Did you know that Spring Lake is stocked with rainbow trout? It doesn’t get more peaceful than passing time with a fishing rod and the calm waters of spring lake.
3. Relaxing on the Deck (and Enjoying the View)
Whether your home feature views of Spring Lake, Loon Lake, the Meadow or the Ravine, time spent on the deck offers a chance to unwind and appreciate your little piece of paradise. In the summer, you can watch the setting sun on a warm evening and hear nothing but the call of the loons and an orchestra of frogs.
The best way to follow up a deck session? Your backyard campfire. S’mores and stories around the fire don’t have to be reserved for camping trips. Our residents enjoy this pastime on their very own properties.
4. Growing a Garden
With a 1/2 acre property, your yard offers plenty of room for growing veggies, flowers, or a mix of both. Seeing the blooming gardens throughout the community each year is so inspiring, with a wonderful variety of colours and scents. And kids are natural gardeners — they love choosing seeds, planting them, and then seeing their project come to life! It’s a bit of magic that the whole family can enjoy together.
5. Picnics at the Beach
The Village of Spring Lake features a lovely private beach that is ideal for afternoon picnics and a swim. (Seasonal passes — June to October — for the beach can be purchased by Spring Lake residents.) Launch your canoe, play with your kids at the playground, or simply spread a blanket out and enjoy the sand and sun.
6. Exploring Lake and Ravine Trails
SLR is so lush in the summertime! Our native tree and plant species feature every shade of green you can imagine. Taking a walk along our Ravine or Lake trail is a daily pleasure for many of our residents, some of whom are also avid bird watchers. We are proud to provide nesting boxes for native birds throughout the community, and love spotting everything from goldfinches to owls to blue herons.
7. Farmer’s Markets in Stony Plain and Carvel
At SLR we are lucky to be within 10 minutes of two excellent Farmer’s Markets — the Stony Plain Farmer’s Market (10 minutes east) and the Carvel Station Farmer’s Market (10 minutes west).
Stony Plain’s market runs April to end of December every Saturday, 9-1. With 70 + vendors, it offers a range of fresh food products and artisanal crafts. We always find treasures here, and the atmosphere is fun and friendly.
Carvel Station Market runs Thursday evenings, 5-8. With a “Make/Bake/Grow’ theme, the 25+ vendors feature everything from handmade cutting boards to fresh loaves of bread to ripe tomatoes. A rotating range of food trucks and bouncy castle for the kids make this market an awesome Thursday night tradition.
8. Chickakoo Lake Recreation Area
Hikers, cyclists and horseback riders visit Chickakoo to explore the beauty along its 14 kms of trails. The lake is stocked with trout and the area is also home to a wide variety of bird species. Just a 15 minute drive from SLR, Chickakoo is a gorgeous spot to spend a summer afternoon.
9. Golf at Cougar Creek Golf Resort (+ 3 other Nearby Courses!)
Championship-length golf course Cougar Creek is located just 15 minutes east of SLR, giving our golf-loving residents an excellent opportunity to play their favourite sport on a pro course close to home. A short drive north of Stony Plain in the Glory Hills is executive par 3 course Duffy’s Challenge. And both Stony Plain and Spruce Grove feature local golf courses: the 18-hole Stony Plain Golf Course and The Links at Spruce Grove.
We invite you to visit Spring Lake Ranch this summer to see the community in all its green + sunny glory. Book your visit (which includes a Lot tour!) with Sarah Corker at scorker@springlakeranch.ca.
And be sure to follow us on facebook here and instagram @springlakeranch for updates!
Happy summer, everyone.
