Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/55101
EASTERN Artist: Walter Keller / Photo: S. Thompson Design 46 Spectacular Parks and Outdoor Places ATIKAKI PROVINCIAL WILDERNESS PARK A spectacular 3,997 km² acres of rugged forest, rock outcrops, glassy lakes and wild rivers accessible only by air or canoe. Prehistoric rock paintings can be seen along the rivers. These fragile links with the past were created for ritual purposes hundreds of years ago. 300 to 500 caribou are in the park. The park is still virtually untouched by man, a true wilderness. e: nrinfo@gov.mb.ca w: www.manitobaparks.com The Bloodvein River, a Canadian Heritage River, originates in Ontario and flows through Atikaki 200 km/124 mi to Lake Winnipeg. This rugged whitewater river travels through pristine Canadian Shield and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. PROVINCIAL PARK BIRDS HILL Featuring hills and ridges formed by ancient glaciers, this 35 km²/22 mi² park has a lake, oak and aspen forests, native prairie wildflowers (including several species of rare orchids), deer, waterfowl and songbirds. Facilities include camping, swimming, picnic sites, a riding stable, a restaurant, a beach concession and a convenience store. There are 30 km/ 18.5 mi of trails for walking and cross-country skiing and a 7.2 km/4.5 mi paved bicycle and roller blading trails. Interpretive programs are available on a year-round basis for groups of all ages. Every July the park hosts the Winnipeg Folk Festival. location: 24 km/15 mi northeast of Winnipeg on Hwy. 59 p: 204-945-6784 toll free: 1-800-214-6497 BUFFALO POINT Located on southern Lake of the Woods, this peninsula features some of the best fishing on the lake. Sand beaches are highlighted with a quarter-mile waterfront boardwalk. Services include store, gas, marina, docking, rental boats, resort and campground. There is swimming and various beach sports. Ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobile rides and other winter activities are part of the year-round facilities. PROVINCIAL PARK GRAND BEACH Resting along the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg, Canada's fifth largest lake and next to the historic La Vérendrye Trail, are powdery white sand beaches and grass- topped dunes that make this one of the top beaches in North America. The dunes reach as high as 8 m/30 ft. A lagoon supports many species of birds. An excellent place to swim, wind surf or hike, three excellent self-guiding walks: Spirit Rock Trail, Wild Wings Trail and the Ancient Beach Trail. The Park also features a campground, outdoor amphitheatre, picnic shelters, a restaurant, concession services and wheelchair access to the beach. p: 204-945-6784 toll free: 1-800-214-6497 Nearby Grand Marais offers entertainment and a full range of services. A provincial commemorative plaque, The Postage Stamp Province, marks the east original boundary of the province. It then measured about 130 mi east to west and 110 mi north to south. Its size and shape gave it its nickname. w: www.grand.beach.mb.ca Thunder Mountain Water Slide Park offers the only speed slide in Manitoba, the only whitewater rafting ride and 450 ft water twisters. Admission charged. Open daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. end of June to September long weekend. location: East gate of park p: 204-754-4066 b HADASHVILLE Sandilands Forest Education Centre, a 121 ha/300 ac site, contains various forest environments including a black spruce bog, eastern deciduous and jackpine forests. Includes the Beaven Suspension Bridge across the Whitemouth River, self-guiding nature trails, the famous Tree Planting Car, Dawson Ranger Station, a fire tower, a forest museum with displays of local plants and animals, forest conservation and harvesting operations past and present. In July and August, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; May, June, September to mid-October, weekdays for school groups by appointment. Admission charged for groups. location: 2 km/1.5 mi south of junction of Trans-Canada Hwy. and Hwy. 11 p: 204-453-3182 f: 204-477-5765 e: info@thinktrees.org w: www.thinktrees.org Art in the Forest – Sagimay Trail Sandilands Forest Discovery Centre