5 Best Community Leagues & HOAs in Edmonton

The city of Edmonton, Alberta, has long been a hub for communities that value collaboration, support, and active involvement. One of the most notable aspects of this communal spirit is evidenced in the city's top-tier community leagues and homeowners' associations (HOAs). These entities provide residents with platforms to voice their concerns, engage in local activities, and maintain their surrounding environments. As with any city, some stand out more than others. This article dives deep into the city’s best, exploring what makes them exceptional and why homebuyers moving to Edmonton regularly target the areas in which they function.

Horse Hill Community League

The Horse Hill area in Northeast Edmonton is a fairly rural part of the city. Real estate in Horse Hill consists of some rural farmlands, single-family homes, Edmonton golf course homes in the southeast part of the area, and new construction homes. 

The Horse Hill Community League serves about 18,000 households in five neighbourhoods:

• Brintnell
• Cy Becker
• McConachie
• Quarry Ridge
• Rural North East Edmonton

Membership costs $5–$25 and provides many perks and benefits. Primary funding comes from memberships, but the league also receives grants from the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta. They also hold periodic fundraisers, such as a casino night every other year. 

The league provides soccer and baseball programs during the summer. Residents can show their Community League membership card for discounts at any rec centres in Edmonton. They also get to participate in free swim days and recreational skating days at rec centres in Horse Hill. 

Members also receive discounts from Cloverdale Paint, snow removal and landscaping services, and furnace and duct cleaning services.

Crestwood Community League

The eastern edge of the Crestwood neighbourhood—one of the best places to live in Edmonton—is one of the elbows of the North Saskatchewan River as it flows through the city. Luxury homes tend to reside closer to the river with water views. 

The Crestwood Community League represents residents of the West Edmonton neighbourhood who opt to join. An annual family membership costs $40. The league maintains the Crestwood Community Hall—often used for social events, meetings, weddings, or birthday parties.

The Crestwood Community Hall has two outdoor skating rinks, tennis courts, and basketball courts for members. The league provides recreational programs and activities for members, such as Tot Time and a summer soccer league. Members of the league receive discounts on memberships at any municipal sports and recreation centres throughout the city of Edmonton. 

The league hosts a Green Shack program for Edmonton at the Crestwood Community League Playground each summer. This is a free drop-in program for kids aged 6–12 with special events, including crafts, music, sports, and other activities.

Summerside Residents Association

Summerside is a neighbourhood of Edmonton luxury homes and new-construction homes on the south side of Edmonton.Membership is required for all homeowners in the neighbourhood by the Summerside Residents Association. Membership dues must be paid by the 1st of January for the upcoming year. 

There are three membership levels:

• Lake Front: $1,037.37
• Lake Access: $605.18
• Standard: $432.25

Residents with Lake Front or Lake Access memberships are allowed to use Lake Summerside, which is often mentioned among Edmonton’s best lakes. This beautiful 13-hectare lake is perfect for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating.

The lake is the heart of the Southeast Edmonton community and the location of the Residents Association's main building. Members enjoy access to a private beach club that includes a sandy playground and volleyball courts next to the lake. Fishing is allowed from the pier, and personal watercraft are restricted to kayaks, canoes, and non-motorized boats. When the lake freezes in the winter, it becomes a community skating rink. 

The Summerside Residents Association enforces strict guidelines for landscaping, architecture and rules governing the use of the lake year-round.

Wedgewood Ravine HOA

Wedgewood Ravine is a subdivision in the southwest corner of Edmonton, next to the Saskatchewan River and the ravine from which the Wedgewood Heights neighbourhood draws its name. The Wedgewood Ravine HOA serves nearly 500 homes in this beautiful part of the city, and while Wedgewood is among Edmonton’s most expensive neighbourhoods, there are usually a number of options priced below $700,000. 

The Wedgewood Community League is a volunteer-driven association in the neighbourhood that performs certain maintenance and public relations duties. Meanwhile, the HOA implements standards to maintain property values and a harmonious atmosphere. Any duties not covered by the Community League or the HOA are the responsibility of the City of Edmonton, such as filling potholes and snow removal.

Residents driving into Wedgewood Ravine are greeted by the community's decorative fountain at the corner of Wedgewood Boulevard and 184 Street NW. The beautiful Wedgewood Heights Park by the Community League's office includes basketball, pickleball, tennis courts, and a playground. A large gazebo is also located near the playground and is available for weddings, birthday parties, and other special events. The neighbourhood also offers easy access to Wedgewood Ravine, a wooded area for hiking and exploring.

The Wedgewood Ravine HOA ensures that basic standards of landscaping and architecture are consistent throughout the neighbourhood. This helps protect property values and community harmony. 

The Orchards HOA

The Orchards at Ellerslie is one of the southernmost neighbourhoods in Edmonton. Homes in Ellerslie are all fairly new, with most having been built since 2001. 

The Orchards HOA is the association that governs homes in the neighbourhood bordered on the north by 25 Avenue SW and on the east by 66 Street SW. All homeowners within the neighbourhood are automatically considered members of the Orchards Residents Association. The annual memberships cost around $400 plus a $550 encumbrance tax. 

The Orchards has numerous Edmonton condos and townhomes available for prospective homeowners. The Orchards Club House is the centre of the community and has year-round activities.

The Club House grounds have a playground, swings, a spray park, a hockey rink, and tennis courts. The back side of the grounds has a hillside converted into a toboggan hill during the snowy winter months. Members of the HOA also receive discounts for special programs and events at the Club House. 

The grand ballroom at the Club House is available to rent for weddings and other special occasions.

Edmonton’s Thriving Community Associations

The community leagues and homeowners' associations in Edmonton have set standards throughout the province of Alberta. By offering platforms for dialogue, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting community involvement, these groups epitomize the best of Edmonton's vibrant communal spirit. As this exploration has shown, these leagues and associations are more than just organizational entities. They are a testament to Edmontonians' commitment to togetherness, collaboration, and the unyielding desire to make their neighbourhoods the best they can be.