Leisure Lake Estates

The development of Leisure Lake Estates is situated east of Bragg Creek on Highway 22X, within the MD of Foothills. Properties range from typically four acres to larger parcels of land.
Bordering on expansive reserve lands to the north, this unique development boasts its own man-made community lake – built in 1963 under the name of Water Wonderland – and a water cooperative that supplies residents with pure, iron-free water.
Originally offering camping facilities, a picnic area, a concession stand and canoeing, Water Wonderland was closed in 1974-75 to make room for local home construction. The original well is still used today by the water cooperative, which is supported by a flat $450 annual residence fee covering the water usage and insurance.
With help from local volunteers – rewarded with a $75 discount on their annual fees - the cooperative meters the water usage, monitors for any possible leaks in the system, and performs weekly testing and maintenance services to ensure continuous and reliable water supply for all of the area’s residents, who compete for an annual fun award for a family with the lowest water usage.
The community is connected by the water cooperative and the lake – fed throughout the year by local streams and runoff from the nearby properties. An annual communal clean-up of the lake is performed each June, followed by a community barbecue to celebrate the residents’ collective efforts to maintain the lake and the high water quality, as well as a healthy bank account surplus to cover future repair costs.
To nurture the community spirit, the MD of Foothills provides funds to gravel the neighbourhood’s walking paths, with local volunteers pitching in to maintain four sets of swings, a bridge, a community row boat, and island used as a popular overnight camping spot.
The annual Octoberfest celebration is one of the many highlights of the fall season, which gives way to fun-filled winter festivities, including a holiday season skating party, adult dinner parties and neighbourhood hay rides.
Magical moments are big snow falls and skating on the lake. Every few years the lake completely freezes over before the snow falls - providing skaters with a six acre, crystal-clear skating rink with a view to the bottom of the lake and a peek at the muskrats swimming below their feet under the frozen ice surface.
Residents delight in bird watching on the lake and the numerous animal sightings in the area. The lake attracts the geese who herald the arrival of spring, as they compete for a little piece of real estate on the island, which is also a favourite birthing place for a cow moose.
At this time of the year, residents are often awakened in the morning by the haunting call of the loons, and entertained by the passing families of ducks, loons and tundra swans providing a procession of the area’s winged visitors.
Often referred to as “Neighbour Heaven”, residents are drawn to Leisure Lake Estates by a myriad of attractions that includes the lake, the walking paths, friendly neighbours, a safe living environment, peace and tranquility and the breathtaking natural beauty .
The vibrant community – a well-balanced mix of retirees and young families – operates an informal neighbourhood watch, employing a community phone fan-out system to notify neighbours of animals passing through the area, as well as a coloured-flag system to provide timely updates on water quality.
While individual residences are responsible for mowing their ditches, a joint community effort ensures continuous upgrades around the lake, creating a park like area.
The harmonious community spirit and deep-rooted respect for one’s neighbours, makes any formal restrictions on motorized quads or snowmobiles completely unnecessary.
The Tsuu T’ina Nation reserve land to the north is an extension of the Leisure Lake community. At one time, residents traversed through the reserve lands, however there are now an abundance of new options for hiking, cycling and skiing along the trails around the lake, as well as a hiking/horseback-riding trail running west from Leisure Lake to Fish Butte, a hill overlooking the Leisure Lake valley.
A quiet, scenic walk to the mailboxes located at the corner of Highway 22X and 352 Street is part of the daily routine for residents of the Leisure Lake Estates development.
Children from Leisure Lake estates are either bused or car pooled to Red Deer Lake school for Kindergarten to Grade 9 or to schools in Okotoks. Others are driven to Banded Peak School in Bragg Creek.
Leisure Lake Estates boasts stalwart community pride and a stable, family-friendly environment.