Here are the city’s more interesting parks:
Assiniboine Forest (SW)
Located on Grant Avenue between Chalfont Road and Shaftesbury Boulevard.
This 680 acre oak & aspen forest is the largest urban nature park in Canada (Vancouver’s Stanley Park is larger, but is mostly developed parkland not in its natural state). This forest is criss-crossed by 3 kilometres of trails so you can explore the home to more that 39 mammal species, including deer and fox, and more than 80 bird species. One trail leads to Eve Werier pond, a 1970s Ducks Unlimited project to create a nesting habitat for waterfowl. Open daily sunrise to sunset. Free admission.
Air Force Heritage Park (W)
Sharpe Boulevard, north end of Ness Avenue at Conway Street.
(204) 833-2500 ext. 5993.
This park was built to help preserve the rich heritage of the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Forces, with 14 aircraft on display. A monument honours the ground crew and other support personnel who have served in the Forces. Canadian Forces ircraft on display include an F-86 Sabre, CF-100 Canuck, CF-101 Voodoo, CF-104 Starfighter, CF-5 Freedom Fighter, CH-136 Kiowa helicopter, DC-Dakota, Harvard Trainer and a CP-121 Tracker. Open daily to the public year-round. Free admission.
Assiniboine Park (SW)
2355 Corydon Avenue (also by footbridge from Portage Avenue)
This 153 hectare (378 acre) park lies on the south shore of the Assiniboine River. The park includes Winnipeg’s only cricket field, a miniature railway, Zoo, Conservatory, the English Gardens, Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, Tudor-style Pavilion, and a French formal garden. Picnic areas, cycling or walking trails are popular with visitors and citizens. In the winter, there is cross-country skiing, tobogganing and skating on the Duck Pond. Free admission.
Bonnycastle Park (Dtn)
Assiniboine Avenue, between Main Street and Donald Street
The park is named in honour of the Winnipeg family who founded the Harlequin Romance publishing empire. The park includes an amphitheatre, ornamental flower bed, an extensive pathway system and an ornamental fountain. The park has access to the Assiniboine Riverwalk, connected to the Forks and the Legislature.
The Forks (Dtn)
Pioneer Blvd off Water Ave
The Forks is a 56 acre waterfront redevelopment project, located behind the Union Station at the junction of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. The historic site marks the gathering spot of people for over 6,000 years. Many seasonal festivals, cultural and recreational events are featured on the site. Riverside walkways provide great well-lit views of the City. The Forks Market, housed in refurbished historic stables, features fresh foods, ethnic and specialty items, crafts and specialty retail shops as well as summer-time patio dining alongside the riverside Plaza. The Forks Historic Port offers free casual docking, a water bus service, rowboat, canoe and sea cycle rentals, and sailing instruction. In winter, there’s a circular outdoor skating rink, toboggan slides, and the River Trail for skating and skiing (with a huge gas fireplace to warm up).
Harbour View Golf Course and Recreation Complex (NE)
1867 Springfield Road, 1.5 km east of Highway 59
(204) 222-2766
The complex is part of Kil-Cona Park, nestled on a lakeshore. It offers 9 hole, par 27 golfing, a golf driving range, miniature golf, tennis courts, paddle boat rentals, shuffleboards, horseshoe pits, and a creative playground. Also available are the pro shop, restaurant, classroom and banquet room facilities. In the winter time, the fireplace and restaurant warm those who come to toboggan, cross-country ski or skate on the lake.
Kildonan Park (NW)
2121 Main St
(204) 986-3753
This lovely 40 hectare (100 acre) park off Main Street North is an unusual and relatively unchanged place since the early days of settlement, with some of the oldest and largest trees still standing in the province. A modern pavilion building includes a fine restaurant and washroom facilities. The park also has an outdoor swimming pool and a summer theatre, Rainbow Stage as well as a model of the Witch’s House from the fairytale Hansel and Gretel. In winter, there are facilities for ice skating, cross-country skiing and tobogganing. Open 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Gates close at 10:00 p.m.
Memorial Park (Dtn)
Memorial Boulevard and Osborne Street
Located in front of the Legislative Building, the park presents a colourful array of flowers and shrubs. In the summer evenings, a beautiful central fountain is illuminated with multi-coloured lights.