As part of June is Parks and Rec Month Recreation Manitoba asked former board member Leila McVannel to tell us about some of the best parks that she uses for programming in her role at the Manitoba Developmental Centre. Here is what she had to say.

Not is any particular order – these are just some of the Central Region area locations that we have enjoyed taking our recreation participants to:

1)     Spruce Woods Provincial Park – Winter Active area (Link)

They have a great area for Winter activities in the Spruce Woods Provincial park.  It has warming cabins, a skating oval through the trees, skating rink for a game of shinny, a toboggan hill and jam pail curing – all within walking distance from each other.

There is paper, an axe, matches to light the wood stoves inside the two warming huts; it has benches and tables inside for warming up and having snacks.  It also has a large outdoor fire pit where we cook our hot dogs and warm the beans.  We have made and cooked bannock on a stick on the open fires.  We plan Winter Active Days at this location and it is wonderful spot for this adventure.

2)      Headingly Spray Park –located behind the Headingly Community Centre.  (link)

We love stopping in at this Splash pad. It has an accessible washroom/change room facility and is close to a great ice cream stop along the highway – formally, KO’s but now goes by E’s.

3)     MacGregor Splash Pad (link)

It is small, quaint sprinkle pad with accessible washrooms close by.  It also has plenty of shade, as well, as a small wooden shelter where you can do crafts or table top activities. 

The Normac Centre arena, soccer fields and ball diamonds – great place to fly kites.

4)     Stephenfield Provincial Park (link)

One of our favorite spots is a lovely location in the over- flow campground area.  It has a large shelter that has sliding barn doors, windows with shutters and a stone fireplace.   It is great for Fall trips as it is nestled in the trees and the fire place keeps you warm.  Great place for cooking s’mores with a hot chocolate.  The bathrooms are close by and accessible for all. 

It also has a water tap close by – great for water balloon games.

5)     Island Park – Portage La Prairie(link)

This park is amazing. It has accessible pathways that wind through an arboretum, large trees and pond.  It has a disc golf course, as well as beautiful views of Crescent Lake and plentiful waterfowl. It has picnic shelters located throughout the park that can be pre-booked through the City of Portage.   Also located on the Island Park is the outdoor Splash Island aquatics centre, which has a pool and two waterslides.  Both the outdoor and the indoor aquatics centre have zero-depth entry which make is so easy for anyone to use.  Having the Stride Credit Union Centre in the middle of the Park allows for easy access to accessible washroom when needed.  If you visit at the beginning of July – Mayfair farms has a strawberry patch on Island for picking/ or pre-picked strawberries. Definitely, a great place for a road trip.