THE PARKS OF WINNIPEG


Winnipeg has more than 850 parks within city limits, offering abundant opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

North America's largest surviving planted collection of publicly-owned elm trees - 60,000 on city streets and another 120,000 on other public lands - is here in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg has over 100 kilometres of navigable waterways to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of tree-lined banks, many of which are publicly accessed park space. This city of rivers has over 30 major bridges.

The permanent deer population in Winnipeg is over 600, one of the largest of any North American City.

Over 30,000 flowers are planted annually in Winnipeg Parks and along major walkways.


ASSINIBOINE PARK, ZOO, CONSERVATORY, AND PAVILION
2355 Corydon Avenue
may also be accessed from Portage Avenue via a footbridge over the Assiniboine River

The total park complex comprises 153 hectares (378 acres) on the Assiniboine River.

This 290 acre park resembles Central Park in New York City.

It features walking or cycling paths, large open lawns, formal flower gardens, playing fields, picnic areas, centrally located Tudor-style Pavilion, cricket pitch, English garden, the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, a fine example of a French formal garden, a miniature railway, and a duck pond.

In the winter, cross country skiing, tobogganing and skating on the Duck Pond are all activities to be enjoyed.

Also located here is the Conservatory, a tranquil garden setting housing a display of flowering and foliage plants.

Assiniboine Park Zoo is a major feature of the park, housing over 1,250 specimens of 300 species with an emphasis on northern creatures. Rare exotic species include the European Bison and snow leopard.

Located in the zoo is the Kinsmen Discovery Centre, a family- oriented exhibit.


ASSINIBOINE PARK CONSERVATORY

The Grande Dame of Conservatories, our own Assiniboine Park Conservatory opened in 1914 and enjoys the reputation of being one of the finest and certainly the oldest facility of its kind in western Canada.

The Conservatory features indoor gardens including a tropical palm house, seven different displays annually for flowering and foliage plants in a garden setting.

The foyer is home to displays of art works by local art groups.

The Conservatory can be booked for meetings, press conferences, cocktail parties, dinners and wedding photographs.

On site restaurant. Open year round.
Daily April to October, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
November to March, telephone 1-204-986-5537.


ASSINIBOINE PARK ZOO

The Zoo, whose history began in 1905, exhibits over 1,250 animals of 300 different species, including many native animals such as polar bears, cougars, elk and bald eagles.

The collection also features a variety of other animals from around the world, like the red panda, Afghanistan markhors, tigers, leopards and monkeys.

Since the zoo is open year round, many of the animals are able to withstand the cold of winter or are housed in special indoor facilities.

A Tropical House houses several hundred free flying birds plus reptiles from tropical forests.

For the young, there is a wide variety of baby animals in the Kinsmen Discovery Centre. Created especially for children, the Discovery Centre is a hands-on science and nature display which provides different views and perspectives on the everyday world.

A.A. Milnes' Winnie-the-Pooh was inspired by a Canadian World War I regimental mascot called Winnipeg. At Assiniboine Park Zoo, you will find a bronze statue celebrating the connection between Winnipeg and this famous storybook character. Winnipeg is host to Disney's Winnie-the-Pooh Annual Friendship Day Celebration.

Restaurants and gift store are also located on site.

Open daily at 10:00 a.m.
Admission charged.

For closings times, group rates and program information for special events such as Decembers' "Lights of the Wild" and October's "Boo at the Zoo" telephone 1-204-986-6921.


THE PAVILION

The Pavilion is home to outdoor concerts, ballets, and plays.

An excellent restaurant, operated by Heinz Kattenfeld, one of the city's best known and finest restaurateurs, and an art gallery are located inside the Pavilion.


THE ENGLISH PLANT GARDEN
and LEO MOL SCULPTURE GARDEN


For information call:
Park Office: 1-204-986-3050
Zoo: 1-204-986-6921
Miniature Train: 1-204-831-0197
Conservatory: 1-204-986-5537


ASSINIBOINE FOREST
Grant Avenue between Chalfont Road and Shaftesbury Boulevard

This 700 acre oak and aspen forest is the largest urban nature park in Canada.

Home to more that 39 species of mammals, including deer and fox, and more than 80 species of birds.

More than 3 kilometres of nature trails lead visitors through the parks. The 1.5 km Saginay self-guiding trail leads to Eve Werier pond, constructed in the late 1970's by Ducks Unlimited to supply a nesting habitat for waterfowl and water for wildlife.

Groomed trails year-round.
Daily sunrise to sunset.
No admission.
Telephone: 1-204-986-7233.


KILDONAN PARK

This lovely park off Main Street North is one of the few places in southern Manitoba that has remained relatively unchanged since the early days of settlement.

Some of the oldest and largest trees in the Province still stand in the park.

A picturesque modern pavilion has a fine restaurant and washroom facilities. Also in the park are an outdoor swimming pool and a summer theatre, Rainbow Stage. In winter, there are facilities for skating and tobogganing.

A model of the Witch's House from the fairytale Hansel and Gretel,is located in the park.

Hours are 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Gates close at 10:00 p.m.


BONNYCASTLE PARK

The park is located on Assiniboine Avenue between Main Street and Donald Street, and boasts a number of attractive features including an amphitheatre, ornamental flower bed, an extensive pathway system and an ornamental fountain.

Access to the Assiniboine Riverwalk adds to the appeal of this park.


THE LIVING PRAIRIE INTERPRETIVE CENTER
2795 Ness Avenue

The Living Prairie Museum Interpretive Center is a 12 hectare (30acre) tall grass prairie preserve located inside the City of Winnipeg.

Set aside in 1968, this preserve is home to over 160 species of prairie plants and a great array of prairie wildlife.

Prior to European settlement, tall grass prairie covered one million square kilometers in central North America, stretching from Texas to southern Manitoba.

Today, tall grass prairie is all but gone. In Manitoba only 1/20th of 1% of the original tall grass prairie remains. The Living Prairie Museum is one of the few remaining fragments of this once vast ecosystem.

You can frolic through wildflowers and waist high grasses of the endangered tall grass prairie at the Living Prairie Museum.

Explore what we have to offer!

  • Museum History
  • Environmental Education Programs
  • Special Events/Workshops
  • Volunteer Positions
  • Friends of the Living Prairie Membership
  • Wildflower Seeds (for sale)
  • Prairie Bookstore

  • For information, call: 1-204-832-0167


    FORT WHYTE CENTRE
    1961 McCreary, Charleswood

    Within city limits, you'll come face to face with wildlife and waterfowl in their natural habitat at Fort Whyte Nature Centre.

    The Fort Whyte Centre provides year-round adventure for families interested in nature, with their 200 acres of forest, lakes, self-guiding trails and floating marsh boardwalks. The interpretive centre houses the Aquarium of the Prairies, stocked with freshwater fish.

    For information, call:
    Office: 1-204-989-8355
    General Information: 1-204-989-8350
    Gift Shop: 1-204-989-8360
    Group Hall Bookings: 1-204-989-8353



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