Discover Sherwood Park Strathcona County April 2017 | Page 29

COMMUNITIES
Today the lake is shallow and canoes replace pleasure boats but flocks of pelicans and swans still visit in summer . Moose , deer or coyote are also commonly seen taking a stroll to the lake ; this area is full of wildlife ! For Instance , Cooking Lake is on the migration route of millions of waterfowl and birds and many stay and nest in ideal locations in and around The Cove .
Since 1990 , there have been several new developments in the hamlet , such as new homes , a modern playground with basketball hoops and a seasonal ice surface .
Today there are spectacular sunsets and a lifestyle only found in a small community . For hall bookings see page 43 .
Half Moon Lake
The hamlet of Half Moon Lake is on a picturesque crescentshaped body of water located just north of Highway 629 , approximately 13 kilometres southeast of Sherwood Park . The lake is about 2km long , end to end , 250 metre wide , with a maximum depth of 8.5 metres .
In the late 1950s , the land north of the lake was subdivided into residential lots , with the subdivision of the south side following soon after . Currently , the hamlet of Half Moon Lake is home to approximately 226 residents , who enjoy the quiet of rural life along with a strong sense of community . Each spring , the residents get together for a day of road-side and lake clean-up followed by a community BBQ .
Although the hamlet is surrounded by private land , visitors to Strathcona County will find the commercially run Half Moon Lake Resort at the south end of the lake , which provides access to the lake . The resort , open during the summer months , has campsites , a developed beach , and boat launch , for those looking for some summer water activities . Repeated attempts have been made to stock the lake with fish , but the only species capable of survival through the winter in the lake is the tiny brook stickleback .
For hall bookings see page 43 .
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