In this section

Our Communications Department oversees a majority of the Town's opportunities for public participation (engagement). Consider yourself invited to participate in our public participation opportunities.

Recreation, Parks and Open Space Master Plan

The Town of Sylvan Lake is creating a comprehensive recreation, parks, open space and trails master plan for our community. The plan includes an inventory and analysis of all recreation buildings, facilities, park sites and trails in addition to gathering feedback from the community, visitors and key stakeholders.

The plan evaluates parks, recreation, and open space needs for current and future residents by developing an understanding of what is working, where there might be gaps, and what the priorities are for the next 10 years. 

Take a look at the upcoming plan

Past Events

Memorial Trail Open House Concept Diagram

Construction of roundabouts along Memorial Trail is planned for 2023/2024. Consider yourself invited to our Memorial Trail Open House. We’d like your input on the design concepts for the road cross-sections and intersections. 

  • Online webinar (Completed, October 14)
  • Online feedback option

Online Webinar

Online Feedback

How do we use your feedback? 

  • We’ll consider resident input during decision making 
  • We’ll let residents know how their feedback influenced our decision 

Questions

  • Visited the calendar and still have questions?

  • Eric Boudreau: 403 887 2141 Ext 208

  • Email us

Council approved the First Reading of the proposed Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw at the July 26, 2021, Regular Meeting of Council.


The draft follows input from two public engagement sessions, Council input from the Committee of the Whole, and feedback received through email. The final draft of the proposed Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw, developed by Brownlee LLP, passed First Reading at the July 26 Council meeting.

Feedback?
Please take some time to review the proposed Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw. Residents can provide feedback through e-mail until Monday, August 16, 2021. Council will review feedback at their August 23 meeting.

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Please note: There are some misrepresentations of the Draft Bylaw and intent of the Draft Bylaw being circulated on social media.  Please take time to make your own review of the Draft Bylaw and provide us with your feedback.  All details, news and accurate sources of information with respect to the Town of Sylvan Lake can always be found on the Town’s website or by calling 403 887 1185 to speak with Town staff.  Any feedback can be emailed to administration for review and consideration.

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Animal Control Review Tentative Timeline

  • 2020 Oct - Dec: Gather Info / Review other municipal Bylaws
  • 2021 Feb: Public Feedback (virtually due to COVID)
  • 2021 Mar: Committee of the Whole
  • 2021 Apr: Draft Bylaw developed
  • 2021 Apr - May: Public Review and Feedback (hopefully public open house)
  • 2021 June: Legal Review
  • 2021 July: 1st Reading by Council
  • 2021 July – August: Continued Public Input through animalbylawreview@sylvanlake.ca
  • 2021 August: Passed by Council

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The first draft of the updated Animal Control Bylaw is now available for review and feedback. Please take the time to review the Draft Bylaw and provide feedback through e-mail.  An online, virtual public engagement session was held on Thursday, May 27 from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM. 

Thank you for your interest in the Animal Control Bylaw Review. The Town of Sylvan Lake received 420 responses from our residents and beyond. View the summary of survey results.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments in regards to the Animal Bylaw review, please reach out via email.

You can listen to a recording of the full May 27 session here.

The audio begins at 2h 37m:

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Why Do We Conduct The Survey?

We review our Animal Control Bylaw to make sure the bylaw is current with today’s public expectations for animal control. Pets play an important role in the lives of many Sylvan Lakers; however, when creating a bylaw, we need to strike a balance - one that ensures the safety and quality of life of all residents.

How Do We Use Survey Results?

To inform changes to the bylaw, the Town uses:

  • Public feedback from the survey,
  • Feedback from Council, and
  • Best practices identified from other communities.

Once this information is gathered, it is used to develop a DRAFT bylaw to circulate for public review in May, including a public engagement session.

*Online survey now closed | thank you for your participation!

A short-term rental means the use of a residential property for temporary accommodation for a period of 28 consecutive days, or less.  This can include any of the following:

  • An entire residence;
  • A portion of a residence; or
  • A secondary or garage suite.

Why do people choose to operate a short-term rental?

  • Short-term rentals offer a number of opportunities for those who choose to operate one.
    • Tourism/tourist rentals
    • Families/visitors in town attending sporting events/camps
    • Housing for temporary residents/workers like contract workers, or those in the oil and gas industry
    • Transitional housing for families/individuals mid-move, or even isolating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • In the town of Sylvan Lake, Short term rentals are currently referred to as “Tourist Homes”. The Town does not have a definition, or regulations in place for short term rentals, often referred to as Airbnb or VRBO; we’d like to change that!

Why is the Town making changes to how it defines and regulates Short-Term rentals?

  • This one is easy! When we develop measures for short-term rental operators to follow, we are better able to ensure those properties comply with health and safety rules, as well as local business licensing practices. These measures protect not only the operators, but also guests that attend these properties, and those living in adjacent properties.