Delwood is a mature residential neighbourhood located in northeast Edmonton. The area is bounded by 137 Avenue to the north, 82 Street to the west, 132 Avenue to the south, and 66 Street to the east. Although the land was first settled in the early 1900s, most of the neighbourhood was developed during the 1960s as Edmonton expanded rapidly to accommodate population growth. Today, Delwood is known for its quiet streets, beautiful gardens, and strong sense of community built over generations of residents.
The design of Delwood reflects typical suburban planning from the 1960s. Interior streets follow a modified grid pattern that centres on local parks and a park-and-school site along Delwood Road, while commercial areas are located along the edges of the neighbourhood. The community includes a mix of single-family homes, duplexes, row housing, and low-rise apartments, creating a diverse and accessible neighbourhood for families, seniors, and newcomers alike. Many of the homes were built during the neighbourhood’s original development period and have since been renovated or updated by new generations of residents.
The name “Delwood” likely comes from Edward Delegare “Del” Grierson, a prominent Edmonton landowner and politician connected to the area in the early 20th century. Before the modern neighbourhood was established, the area was known by several smaller subdivision names, including Queen’s Park, East Delton, and Industrial Centre. As Edmonton continued to grow in the postwar decades, these areas were consolidated and developed into the neighbourhood now known as Delwood.
The Delwood Community League
The Delwood Community League was established in 1965 as the neighbourhood was being built and families began moving into the area. Since its founding, the league has served as the social and recreational heart of the community. The league operates the community hall and outdoor rink near 74 Street and Delwood Road and organizes a wide range of programs, sports, and events that bring residents together.
Over the decades, the league has hosted countless activities and traditions, including community festivals, sports programs, family events, and volunteer initiatives. In the 1980s and 1990s, events such as perogy suppers, neighbourhood watch initiatives, and anniversary celebrations helped strengthen community connections and maintain Delwood’s welcoming spirit. As the neighbourhood has evolved, the community league has continued to adapt—launching a website, hosting movie nights, organizing sports programs, and supporting neighbourhood improvement projects.
Today, the Delwood Community League continues to play an important role in neighbourhood life. Through the work of dedicated volunteers, the league maintains community spaces, organizes recreation and cultural programs, and creates opportunities for neighbours to connect. More than just an organization, the league represents the shared effort of residents working together to make Delwood a vibrant and welcoming place to live; it’s a great place to grow.
Community Timeline
Early 1900s
The land that would become Delwood was largely rural farmland on the northeastern edge of Edmonton. Large parcels were owned by a small number of families and were gradually sold to developers as the city expanded.
1960–1965 – Neighbourhood Development Begins
As Edmonton experienced rapid post-war growth, the Delwood neighbourhood began to take shape. A few homes were constructed during this period as the city expanded beyond its previous limits.
1965 – Delwood Community League Established
Residents formed the Delwood Community League and held their first meeting in June, creating a volunteer organization to represent the neighbourhood and organize local programs and events.
1966 – Delwood Rink Built
Volunteers constructed the first rink shack and outdoor skating rink, establishing a recreational hub that continues to serve the neighbourhood today.
1969 – Delwood Hall Constructed
Delwood Hall is built in the year 1969. The League was now established enough that it was confident in its ability to raise money to start
1960s and 1970s – The Rabbit Patch
Delwood was known as the “rabbit patch” because there were so many young children in this developing part of the city! Residents from that time remember it was a close knit community where everyone knew each other. Lots of community dances were held to raise money for the hall and league programs, and it was a steal of deal for date night – $3.00 per couple, beer was 4/$1.00 and hard liquor was 3/$1.00. Sandwiches, pickles and coffee were also served. The early dances were advertised across the city, and were well-attended.
1970 – The Delwood Community Views
A regular newsletter for members is being published, called the Delwood Community Views. Sports programs are highlights for the league, as well as many social nights.
1971 – Bingos and Fundraising
The league was holding regular bingos in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus. Christmas trees were sold on an empty lot beside Balwin food market to raise funds for the community.
1972 – First Casino and Transit
Hall rentals started to bring in some funds and the first rink shack was sold for $145.00. City transit started, with Delwood residents who were right on the bus routes paying a little more in taxes than their neighbours, all for the privilege of priority garbage pickup and snow removal!
1977–1978 – Hall Expanded
An extension to the hall was built for about $16,500. The monies were raised with raffles and bingos in the community. One of the raffles brought in $35,000 by offering prizes of a car for the grand prize, a boat and motor for second, and one of those new fangled microwaves for third place.
1981 – Expansion of the Capilano Freeway
The issue of most concern for Delwood was the proposed extension of the Capilano Freeway. This was one of many times when the league made full use of its civic responsibilities, and held meetings and coordinated consultations between the city and the community members.
1983 – Another Hall Addition
Another addition and a general renovation to the hall was accomplished along with upgrades to the rink shack using a $60,000.00 loan to get things started. The city came through with a grant in 1984 for $130,200.00 to help defray the $306,943.20 bill for the addition. The Ladies Club held fundraisers and other events and donated $97.00 to the league.
The newsletter underwent a revision; the format and editorial content were changed and the title was shortened to “Delwood Views”.
1984 – Perogy Suppers and Neighbourhood Watch
The big social event of the year was the Perogy Supper and Dance. Around this time is when there was first involvement with the Neighbourhood Watch Program. Involvement in this program has fluctuated throughout the years depending on the number of volunteers available. The league has continued to be in contact with police and City representatives to identify concerns and promote neighbourhood safety.
1990 – 25th Anniversary
The Delwood Community League celebrates 25 years with a weekend event and banquet. A cookbook was developed and sold as a legacy project, and there was an enormous flower display in the shape of the number 25 established on the sliding hill. Improvements were made to the hall using provincial and city grant funds. The neighbourhood is maturing as many of the young children who were raised in Delwood have grown up and moved away. The number of sports teams goes down as sports are now being organized differently as club teams are introduced.
1990 – New Playground
Delwood’s new playground opened.
1999/2000 – New Logo and New Families
A new logo is adopted to represent the league, introducing the slogan “A Great Place to Grow” that works for both children and the area’s many gardeners.
Younger families slowly start moving into the neighbourhood, movie nights at the hall become very popular, and the sights and sounds of renovations and upgrades to homes built in the 1960s become more common. The league’s website, delwood.ca, is launched.
2002 – Rink Improvement Fundraising
Fundraising for improvements to the rink and rink shack begins, including a Skate a Thon and Family Festival held over three consecutive years, raising about $80,000, and Pub Nights that were a great time for socializing. “Delwood Rocks” t-shirts are proudly worn to raise awareness of the rink project. The number of rental homes in the area starts to increase as some original families move on to retirement. Hiring a STEP student to provide a Green Shack program over the summer is important to create a fun atmosphere for the growing number of children in the area.
2003 – Rink Caretakers and Halloween Safe Stop
The rink is flooded and operated by a paid caretaker for the first time. Operating the rink and a small concession has always included keeping an eye out that every one using the rink is having a good time and that it continues to be a safe place. The Halloween Safe Stop is once again a chance for children to warm up with a hot chocolate while they are making the rounds to fill up their candy bags.
2005 – New Rink Shack Built
Fundraising for the new rink has been very successful, and matched with city and provincial grants and sweat equity worth about $20,000. The new rink is built, including a floor inlay of the Delwood logo in the rink shack, and the paved space from the original rink provided a second, smaller rink for young children, and space for summer programs such as a skate park. Hall expenses include $17,600 for stucco and repairs to the exterior. Bingos start to be a regular source of fundraising revenue.
2007 – Delwood’s First Fall Festival
The first Fall Festival is held and becomes a favourite annual event for neighbours and friends from all over the city. The event continues for several years, with activities and entertainment ranging from bouncy tents, petting zoo, dunk tank, show and shine, roller derby, wrestling, agility dogs, beer gardens, vendor displays and of course, FOOD!
2008 – Programs Expansion
Partnerships with City of Edmonton Community Services bring some new programs in addition to the annual Green Shack. Cooking, crafts, arts, babysitting courses and winter fun days all help young Delwoodians get to know each other.
2010 – Facebook Page Launches
The league launches its Facebook page. Craft sales and garage sales organized by volunteers bring in extra funds and build a strong sense of pride in what our community can accomplish.
2013 – Future Plans
The league starts planning and fundraising for upcoming big projects including a hall renovation and playground rejuvenation. Volunteer numbers are sufficient to cover casinos and bingos thanks to required commitments from soccer families, but volunteers for board positions for the league are a little harder to come by. It’s thanks to the continued dedication of some key volunteers that the league can continue meeting its requirements and continue planning for the future.
2015 – 50th Anniversary
The league celebrates 50 years! Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated 50th anniversary committee, Delwood hosted its 50th anniversary celebration on June 19, 2015 which included a pancake breakfast, a cake cutting ceremony, dinner banquet and outdoor family dance, concluding with fireworks at the end of the night.
2018 – Hall Entrance Renovation Completed
The foyer and front entrance to Delwood Hall was reconstructed and reopened in 2018. The new foyer is bright and welcoming to renters and hall users alike.
2019 – Partnership with Fundraiser Freight
The Fundraiser Fright team, which puts on a stellar haunted house each October, sets up shop in Delwood Rink. Not only does the haunted house satisfy the need of its Halloween lovers, the team also provided ample support to the league throughout the year.
2023 – New Modern Logo and Brand
The league refreshed its logo to reflect both its history and its future. The updated design maintains the familiar tree motif, a symbol long associated with Delwood as “a great place to grow,” whether that means raising families or tending to the many gardens that define the neighbourhood’s character. Alongside the tree, the new logo introduces the image of hands, representing the generations of volunteers who have built, maintained, and strengthened the community over the years. This addition honours the countless contributions, big and small. that have shaped Delwood into what it is today, and reflects the league’s ongoing commitment to community, connection, and shared effort.
2025 – 60th Anniversary
The Delwood Community League celebrated its 60th anniversary with a cake cutting ceremony at the 2025 Fall Festival.
2026 – Hall Renovations
The hall washrooms and bar, in need of a refresh, receive a modernization in 2026. This update ensures Delwood Hall maintains high-quality amenities for renters and league events.
Today
The Delwood Community League remains a central part of neighbourhood life, organizing events such as the annual Fall Festival, operating the community rink and hall, and supporting programs and activities for residents of all ages.