This park preserves Big Lake, a freshwater wetland ecosystem surrounded by small deciduous and coniferous woodlands adjacent to the cities of Edmonton and St. Albert.

The lake is shallow and supports considerable emergent vegetation such as cattails and bulrushes. Big Lake supports a large nesting colony of Franklin's gulls, migrating flocks of tundra swans, and numerous nesting and migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. It has been recognized as a globally significant Important Bird Area. More than 220 bird species have been observed in the area.