Donsdale is a small residential neighborhood located along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River Valley, within the West Jasper Place South plan area. The neighborhood is bounded by 53rd Avenue to the north, Lessard Road to the west, the Wedgewood Ravine tributary on the south, and the river valley to the east.
The neighbourhood experienced the bulk of its development in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but pre-existing country residential development runs the length of the river valley’s edge. Some development is still occurring. Significant wildlife habitat exists within the river valley and ravine systems that surround the neighborhood. The neighborhood was planned to provide an attractive residential environment while conserving and integrating development with existing natural features of the area, including the preservation of significant viewpoints.
The predominant dwelling type within the neighborhood are single-detached homes, but some medium density housing, in the form of low rise apartments, is located along Lessard Road and additional multi-family housing is planned. A small neighbourhood park, overlooking the Wedgewood Ravine, provides residents with an attractive lookout point as well as access to the local ravine system. Donsdale is named in honour of Frank Doncaster who owned a large tract of land in the area in the mid-1940s. After annexation to the City of Edmonton, the use of the name continued.