The Assiniboine Park is the largest park in Winnipeg and includes a number of points of interest and is also home to the Winnipeg zoo. There have been updates throughout different areas of the park over the years but one area has remained somewhat dreary and kind of sad.
This area has carried the implausible title of ‘family area’ containing nothing more than a number of picnic tables and several sets of rusty and squeaky swings. It had become an area seldom used and even less enjoyed.
For a little over a year now construction has been ongoing to completely over hall this section of the park. This area will now be home to a nature park, large playground and family centre. This project has also included a huge expansion of the duck pond. The newly expanded duck pond was open for skating this winter and it is a lovely improvment. With the indoor area built 4 or 5 years ago right next to the pond we find it to be one of the best skating areas in the city.
We spend a fair amount of time at the park and so I have walked past this new area many times and although it is quite hidden by surrounding trees it appears to be quite a novel design and a fun looking space.
The design seems quite well attuned to the perspective of a child and from what I could see beyond all the construction fencing and the vantage point I took these pictures from (where I probably wasn't suppossed to be) it seems to include many different elements. I could see areas for water and sand play, a giant chess board, and many different things to climb on.
There is also a large section with some wonderful looking living sculptures and creative plantings quite aptly named the Children's Garden. The entry to this section is a wonderfully designed doorway reminescent of Alice in Wonderland and opens up to the rest of the Family section.It will be first open to the public this Friday with the official grand opening taking place on Saturday between 10 am and 2 pm. A group of us is planning on checking it out this weekend and exploring this great addition to the park.
