Barrhead: History, Parks and Recreation

Barrhead combines insights into pioneer history with parks, recreational activities and a distinctive local culture. The Barrhead Centennial Museum displays an extensive collection of artifacts related to the daily lives of Barrhead’s settlers. The museum also preserves a complete collection of the local newspaper, as well as an archive.

Local History and Notable Landmarks

The Barrhead Grain Elevators are historic buildings and a visible symbol of Western Canada. They can be seen from Elevator Road and offer a look back at the early 20th century. A statue of the Great Blue Heron is also a landmark: it stands beside the Community Gazebo, which marks the centre of Barrhead. Aaron the Blue Heron is a statue created by artist Trygve Seland in 1984. It offers an impressive close-up view and makes a distinctive photo opportunity.

Yuill Park showcases a different cultural facet. Its ornamental garden highlights Japanese culture and honours Barrhead’s Japanese sister city, Tokoro. Barrhead is therefore home to several kinds of commemorative sites: the history of its settlers, the grain elevators as Western Canadian landmarks, and a garden that reflects the connection with a sister city.

Parks and Recreation

For time outdoors, Cecile Martin Park has two playgrounds and walking paths. Most parks in Barrhead are connected to the Town’s Walking Trail. This means the options include both paths through individual parks and a trail connected to most of the parks. Visitors who want to include parks and walks in their stay can take these features into account when choosing Barrhead as a destination.

The Barrhead Regional Aquatics Centre also brings together several different aquatic amenities: it has a six-lane competition pool, a zero-entry pool and a wading pool. There is also a 20-person hot tub, a 20-person steam room and a lazy river for low-impact therapeutic exercise. The Centre is accessible to the entire community and to people of all ages and abilities. The facilities range from a competition pool to areas for splashing and low-impact exercise.

The Agrena Multiplex has an indoor track, as well as indoor and outdoor ice rinks. Those who prefer golf can visit the nearby Barrhead Golf Club: its course has 18 holes and is located five minutes outside Barrhead. These amenities have quite different focuses: the track and ice rinks are in the multiplex in Barrhead, while the golf course is outside town.

Summer Event and Local Dining

The annual Barrhead Blue Heron Fair is a summer event. It includes a two-day competitive rodeo and activities for children. Those interested in local events can consider the fair a seasonal part of what Barrhead has to offer. Dining options include restaurants, pubs, distilleries, cafés and other establishments. These serve pizza, Greek and Chinese cuisine, as well as other food, drinks and light snacks.

Getting Here and Choosing a Destination

The Town of Barrhead and the County of Barrhead together form a community. The Town is accessible via Highway 33 and is located northwest of Edmonton, about an hour away. A holiday rental in Barrhead can be considered as an accommodation option for a stay in town, without having to combine the different attractions into a single itinerary.

Explore nearby places: Westlock, Whitecourt, Mayerthorpe, Onoway, Athabasca and Sangudo.

View the regional travel overview: Division No. 13.