This picture is from the Assiniboinne park conservatory. They often change the displays found amongst the tropical plants and this little hobbit style house that appears from time to time is by far one of my favorites. It's not big enough for real hobbits, if indeed there was such a thing, but it goes well with what I've been talking about this week (my new reading list) and so I couldn't resist sharing having just completed reading The Hobbit.
A number of years ago conditions were just right for Winnipeg to create the world’s longest skating trail in the world even beating out Ottawa’s Rideau Canal.It was a continuous skating trail along the Assiniboine River which extended from Assiniboine Park in the west end of Winnipeg to downtown at the Forks.
I never got the chance to skate it.There are a few reasons; that particular winter was bitterly cold, my youngest was still skating with a chair and unable to go long distances and I couldn’t find anyone else willing to skate the whole 9.3 KM length with me. Time went by and winter slowly came to an end along with skating for the year.
That was in 2008, since then the ice conditions haven’t been quite right to re-create that length.High water levels, warm weather, snow at just the wrong time anything that can make ice into an unsafe or un-skate able surface has happened.
This year conditions are looking good and a large section of the trail is open and in use.This year conditions might allow for the entire trail to be opened.This time I, a friend and my oldest will be skating it if it opens.I’ve got my fingers crossed.
Just a few of my favorite firework pictures from last years Canada Day fesitivities at Assiniboine park. Always a fun night and the next is approaching quickly.
For all our complaints about cold weather Winnipegers love their cold treats. The opening of the Bridge Drive In every year marks the first days of spring and people from across Winnipeg flock to it for it's unique cold treats. I posted about The BDI last year and so this year I'm going with another Staple of Winnipeg ice cream connoisseurs; Sargeant Sundae. Unlike BDI it remains open throughout the year but it too is most commonly bought with the intention of walking across a nearby footbridge. This bridge is the original entrance to Assiniboine park and connects the small northern section of the park to the main area on the south side of the river. The bridge also leads directly to Sargeant Sundae. Heading for the park and across the river to grab a cone is an one of the best ways to share a lazy Sunday afternoon.
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.
For all our complaints about cold weather Winnipegers love their cold treats. The opening of the Bridge Drive In every year marks the first days of spring and people from across Winnipeg flock to it for it's unique cold treats. I posted about The BDI last year and so this year I'm going with another Staple of Winnipeg ice cream connoisseurs; Sargeant Sundae. Unlike BDI it remains open throughout the year but it too is most commonly bought with the intention of walking across a nearby footbridge. This bridge is the original entrance to Assiniboine park and connects the small northern section of the park to the main area on the south side of the river. The bridge also leads directly to Sargeant Sundae. Heading for the park and across the river to grab a cone is an one of the best ways to share a lazy Sunday afternoon.
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 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.
