Wabamun, Alberta is a charming hamlet nestled in the heart of Parkland County, approximately 67 kilometres west of Edmonton on Highway 16. Once a village, Wabamun has a rich history and a vibrant community that welcomes visitors from all over.
The hamlet of Wabamun, Alberta, named for its location on the north shore of Lake Wabamun, has a fascinating history. The first post office opened its doors in 1903, marking the beginning of the community's development. In the early 1900s, Wabamun served as a railway stop for homesteaders, who brought goods and animals on train cars as far as Wabamun before transferring to wagons drawn by oxen or horses for the remainder of their journey to homesteads in the Lac Ste. Anne area.
Wabamun has twice incorporated as a village and twice dissolved from village status. The first incorporation took place on July 18, 1912, only to be relinquished on January 1, 1946. The village reincorporated on January 1, 1980, and then dissolved for a second time on January 1, 2021, to become a hamlet under the jurisdiction of Parkland County.
According to the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wabamun, Alberta recorded a population of 682 living in 270 of its 290 total private dwellings, a 3.2% change from its 2011 population of 661. With a land area of 3.58 km2, it had a population density of 190.5/km2 in 2016. The 2011 Census reported a population of 661 living in 265 of its 295 total dwellings, a 10% change from its 2006 population of 601. The population of Wabamun according to its 2009 municipal census is 662.
On August 3, 2005, Wabamun, Alberta experienced a significant environmental incident when 45 cars of a CN Rail train derailed on the shores of Wabamun Lake. The derailment resulted in the spill of more than 700,000 litres of a variety of fuel oils and pole treating oils into the lake.
Wabamun, Alberta boasts a variety of amenities and infrastructure that cater to both residents and visitors. The Wabamun and District Museum offers a glimpse into the hamlet's past, while the Wabamun Public Library provides a wealth of resources for learning and leisure. The Wabamun School, part of the Parkland School Division, serves students from kindergarten through grade 9.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Waterfront Park offers lakeshore access, parking and a full-sized boat launch. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic area with shelter, washrooms and change rooms, a playground, and a water spray park.
