Assiniboine Forest is a regional park in

Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Manitoba. It is centred on the confluence of the Red River of the North, Red and Assiniboine River, Assiniboine rivers. , Winnipeg h ...

and the largest urban forest in Canada, comprising an area of over 285 hectares. It's located within the suburban area of Charleswood and is surrounded by Roblin Blvd, Chalfont Road, Wilkes Avenue, and Shaftesbury Boulevard. The Forest consists of old growth aspen and oak trees, as well as wetlands; open meadows of tall-grass prairie; and a 12-acre pond. These habitats collectively include various species of plants and animals, including a resident population of white-tailed deer and nesting waterfowl. The Forest also contains 18 kilometres of maintained (paved, woodchip, and crushed limestone) multi-use trails that are accessed year-round by walkers; runners; cyclists; and in the winter; cross-country skiers. A surrounding system of paved trails connects these pathways northward to

Assiniboine Park Assiniboine Park (formerly known as City Park) is a park in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, located along the Assiniboine River. The Winnipeg Public Parks Board was formed in 1893, and purchased the initial land for the park in 1904. Although in use ...

and southward to the Harte Trail. Since 1990, the Assiniboine Forest has been maintained by the Winnipeg Charleswood Rotary Club.

History

The Assiniboine Forest was originally going to be razed as part of a suburban development of what was originally the

Town of Tuxedo Tuxedo is a residential suburb of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is located about 7 kilometres (4.5 miles) southwest of downtown Winnipeg and borders the Assiniboine River and Assiniboine Park on the north, Shaftesbury Boulevard on the west, Route 90 on t ...

. By 1920, a development plan was in place and road cuts were made. However, due to the stock market crash of 1929 and subsequent

economic depression An economic depression is a period of carried long-term economic downturn that is the result of lowered economic activity in one or more major national economies. It is often understood in economics that economic crisis and the following recession ...

, plans for its development were stopped. In the 1960s, local residents and City of Winnipeg Councillor Bernie R. Wolfe became interested in protecting the forest and the wildlife within. Although the Town of Tuxedo was not interested in this idea, it joined the City of Winnipeg in 1971, making the possibility of preserving the Forest more likely. In 1973, after persistent efforts by individuals and concerned citizen groups, particularly the Assiniboine Park Centennial Committee, Assiniboine Forest was preserved as a municipal nature park. Today, the Charleswood Rotary Club acts as the Forest's custodian, maintaining and increasing the Forest's amenities for city residents.https://www.assiniboineforest.ca

References

Parks in Winnipeg {{Manitoba-geo-stub Regional parks of Canada

History

See also

References