Winnipeg parks & gardens
There are hundreds of Winnipeg parks, and just about as many ways to enjoy them. Scenic walks, wildlife hikes, children’s playgrounds, beautiful public gardens, tennis courts, sports fields, where to enjoy
skating and other winter sports,
outdoor concerts, golf, and swimming. One of these Winnipeg parks has a maze, another is home to Winnipeg Zoo, and at others you will find
off-leash dog parks
(opens in a new window), wedding photo locations, places to canoe or go fishing or birding, plus much more to enjoy!
All are open year-round, dawn to dusk and all are free to visit. (All of the ones listed here have plenty of free parking with the exception of the park behind Manitoba Legislative Building and Memorial Park, both an easy walk from downtown hotels).
Winnipeg parks Downtown
The Forks is Winnipeg’s city-centre park with museums, restaurants, shops and easy access to Assiniboine Riverwalk. Walk, or rent a bicycle, canoe or kayak at
The Forks.
Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail is a winter delight (usually open January to early March), more than 5.5 km ( 3.4 miles) of trails for walking and skating on the rivers. Skating, plus organized sleighing, curling and hockey tournaments on weekends noon to 4 p.m. January to March. The easiest access is at The Forks, but you can also get onto the Trail from any of the docks (Norwood, Exchange District, Corydon, Osborne, Legislature, St. Boniface.) In summer, stroll along the rivers on Assiniboine Riverwalk. Goes between The Forks and Manitoba Legislative Building.
Manitoba Legislative Building has lovely riverside gardens with the Bears on Broadway bears (painted sculptures, part of a charity event a few years back) that are popular with children, and also beautiful fountains. Broadway at Memorial (as this stretch of Osborne Street is called). Just across the street is the smaller Memorial Park (with more fountains and a splash pool).
Waterfront Park runs along the river, just east of The Exchange District and north of The Forks. A serene spot, with walkways, flowers and benches to watch the river. Popular with city joggers.
Winnipeg parks close to downtown
Assiniboine Park, west of downtown, is Winnipeg’s oldest, largest and most popular park. It has the Zoo, several theme gardens, picnic areas, a conservatory with a lush tropical indoor garden, two art galleries, a steam train for children, two restaurants, walking trails and is connected to Assiniboine Forest.
St. Vital Park has walking or hiking trails, a pond that is home to many species of ducks and in winter both skating and two
toboggan slides.
Also gardens, picnic sites and this is another popular spot for wedding photos. St. Vital Park is east of downtown on River Road in St. Vital, edging the Red River just north of Bishop Grandin Blvd.King’s Park is just south of University of Manitoba in Fort Garry. Another riverside park, it also has a marshland, the lovely Pagoda Gardens, ball fields, and is the site of the Maze, built as a memorial to author Carol Shields, who lived and wrote in Winnipeg for many years. Kildonan Park is just north of downtown and has gardens, Rainbow Stage (the longest-running outdoor theatre in Canada), a pool and picnic tables plus a formal garden and,
fun for younger children,
Hansel & Gretel’s Witch’s Hut. At 2015 Main Street.
More Winnipeg parks
La Barriere Park is a smaller, more wild park, just south of Winnipeg at the end of Waverley Street. Here you can canoe, fish, hike and bike in summer or cross-country ski in winter. Nature tours are also available (call 832-0167).
Little Mountain Park has picnic sites and hiking trails and also offers nature tours (call 832-0167 to book). On Klimpke Road, off Inkster Blvd.
Wedding photos in Winnipeg parks
If you would like your wedding pictures to be taken at a Winnipeg park, or to find out about park events or make a group picnic site reservation, call 311 (in Winnipeg) or (toll free) 1-877-311-4974.
Harbour View Recreation Complex at Kilcona Park offers lots to do if you are traveling with kids. Mini golf, driving range, horseshoes, shuffleboard, volleyball, and paddleboats on the lake. There’s also a 9-hole golf course, a pro shop and tobogganing, cross-country skiing, and skating in winter.East of The Perimeter and Highway 59 at 1867 Springfield Road in Transcona.
Birds Hill Provincial Park has a lake, forests, plenty of opportunities to see songbirds and other wildlife and native prairie wildflowers, and has camping facilities. Nearby there is a restaurant and two places to ride horses, Miracle Ranch and Birds Hill Park Ranch, which also has a petting zoo. Trails for rollerblading, walking, hiking and cross-country skiing. This is the site of
Winnipeg Folk Festival
every July. Half an hour northeast of Winnipeg on Highway 59.
Grand Beach Provincial Park is said to be the best beach in central Canada and is rated one of the top 10 in North America. Powdery white sand dunes, sparkling water, concession stands – pack a picnic for the perfect place to spend a hot summer day! Grand Beach is about an hour northeast of Winnipeg on Highway 59.
Go from Winnipeg parks to find more Winnipeg attractions
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