When we talk about exercising, terms like ‘weight loss’ and ‘muscle mass’ often come to mind, but regular exercise is not necessarily about trying to look better, it’s about trying to live better. And thankfully, there are many different ways to stay active in Edson without having to leave the town limits! Keep reading for our top 9 activities that will help you and the whole family stay active and healthy this summer.
1. Try Disc Golf
Fans of frisbee and golf rejoice! Disc golf is the newest sport to arrive in Edson, and thanks to the Edson-Healthier Together Initiative, the community is home to its very own travelling disc golf course!
The course will take you to seven different parks in Edson to help you fully immerse yourself in the area. But of course, you can also choose from one of the seven courses to participate in this fun activity that will keep you and the whole family entertained and active. Sounds like a win-win to us!
Find a map and additional information to Edson's Disc Golf Course here.
2. Explore the Edson Trail System
Did you know that you can improve your mood, reduce health risks, increase energy, strengthen bones and lose weight just by walking? Lucky for you, Edson is no short on outdoor walking trails!
Edson’s 4-km trail system connects the town together through a series of both paved and unpaved trails, many of which will take you through the town’s beautifully lush forests. Right now is the perfect time to explore these trails for yourself as the forest is currently abundant with striking wildflowers, berries, mushrooms and other flourishing flora. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels chittering in the trees as they love to call this area home.
Maps to Edson‘s trail system are available through the Edson & Area Visitor Guide, which can be picked up at the Galloway Station Museum, as well as the Edson’s grocery stores and gas stations. The map can also be accessed online at www.gallowaystationmuseum.com/visitor-guide.
3. Channel Your Inner Tony Hawk at the Rotary Skateboard Park
Although skateboarding is typically considered more leisure than exercise, it can certainly work up a sweat!
The Rotary Skateboard Park, located just off of Highway 16, is a concrete park featuring an open bowl with a variety of ramps and obstacles for skateboarders of all skills levels. The park is also open to scooters and BMX bikes for those looking to perfect their tricks and test their skills on other equipment.
As a bonus, the most western section of the Edson Trail system is located just one block away from the Skateboard Park!
4. Take Up Geocaching
Geocaching is a great way to stay active while stimulating the mind and having lots of fun with the family!
For those who have not heard of the term before, geocaching is essentially a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers at specific locations marked by coordinates. You can choose to geocache on foot or by bicycle, but be aware that some caches do require you to trek a ways as they are often hidden well!
While some caches contain treasures for you to take and/or replace, others may simply contain a logbook that have been signed by people from all around the world who have also discovered that same cache.
Edson has many different geocaches hidden throughout the town, all you have to do is find them! There may even be a couple of geocaches in RCMP Centennial Park… not that you heard that from us!
Visit geocaching.com to sign up and start your geocaching adventure today.
5. Go for a Swim at the Edson Leisure Centre
If you’re looking to beat the heat and get some exercise in at the same time, consider visiting the swimming pool at the Edson & District Leisure Centre.
The five-lane swimming pool features both shallow and deep end pools for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. Bring some fun into the mix by sliding down the waterslide or showing off your skills on the diving board! Be sure to relax your sore muscles in the dry sauna before heading out.
Visit www.edson.ca/residents/parks-and-facilities/edlc for the current pool schedule.
6. Practice Your Serve on the Tennis Courts
Grab a tennis racquet, a ball and a partner and head out to the Edson Tennis Courts to work up a sweat!
The courts are a short walk from the Edson Leisure Centre and offer a fenced-in area with double courts so you and your whole family can play. Make a day out of it by visiting the Edson Public Library, touring the Red Brick Museum or splashing in the nearby Kinsmen Spray Park.
The tennis courts are also the scene of biweekly pickleball practices for the Edson Pickleball Club. The Club welcomes new players on the courts on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 pm and offers new players the first visit for free.
7. Go Golfing at the Edson Golf Course
Grab your clubs and head to the Edson Golf Course for 18 holes of fun, not to mention lots of exercise!
The well-groomed course boasts rolling hills and lush forests, with holes nestled in between rows of trees to give the illusion of a mountain-like course. Bench Creek runs through the property, offering water on nearly every hole.
Continuous upgrades to the course over the past few years has made the Edson Golf Club a popular stop for many golfers traveling down Highway 16.
The on-site clubhouse is home to a well-stocked pro shop for those who are short on equipment, as well as a bar and grill to keep your hunger at bay.
The Edson Golf Club hosts a variety of tournaments throughout the summer, which are geared toward different age groups, from children all the way to seniors. Lessons are also available for those looking to learn or improve their skills.
With well-placed sand traps, impeccable greens and the luscious scenery to keep you engaged, the Edson Golf Course is as perfect way to stay active this summer.
8. Hike and Bike at Willmore Park
Located along the beautiful McLeod River, Edson’s Willmore Park has a variety of activities that will inspire you and your family to stay active this summer.
The park boasts 21.5 km of beautiful hiking trails that wind through old growth mixed-wood forests, catering to hikers of different skill levels.
McLeod River lies on the border of the park, offering visitors with a variety of water-based recreational activities, from kayaking and canoeing to fishing and swimming.
In the center of Willmore Park lies the popular Edson Bike Skills Park, which provides people of all ages and skills with a place to gather and share in physical activity. The park is progressive in nature with elements that are safe for toddlers and more difficult trails that cater to the more experienced biker. With jumps, pump tracks, ladder bridges, teeter totters and more, the Edson Bike Skills Park is a great place to burn off some energy this summer!
9. Practice your Swing at the Glenwood Baseball Diamond
Although Edson’s popular Vision Park is closed for construction this summer, it does not mean that baseball is out for the summer! The Glenwood Baseball Diamond is another great place to play baseball, whether its to practice your hit or play a scrimmage with some friends.
Located in the serene Glenwood Park, the park is also home to a new basketball court and has a variety of playground equipment to keep your little ones busy. On site is also a large field separated from the baseball field by a fence, which is suitable for soccer and other field sports.
How will you stay active in Edson this summer?