Manitobans are encouraged to take advantage of all the activities available in the great outdoors with free entry to provincial parks for the month of February. This announcement was made by Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh.
“Manitobans enjoy our parks year round and whether it’s taking a walk or enjoying cross-country ski trails, this is a chance to see our province in a whole new way,” said Minister Mackintosh. “To encourage more people to visit and explore our parks in the beautiful, crisp winter air, we will offer free entry to all provincial parks this month.”
Hundreds of kilometres of snowmobiling, cross-country and skate skiing, snowshoeing and hiking trails are all groomed and maintained throughout the winter season. Pet owners can take advantage of trails for skijoring, kick sledding and dog sledding. SnoPasses are still required for snowmobilers using groomed trails in provincial parks.
Trail condition reports are updated weekly throughout the winter season every Thursday to help plan winter adventures.
Park interpreters are leading the family fun this season with numerous hands-on learning experiences, the minister said. Interpretive programs are free and offered year round in Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks to encourage Manitobans to get outdoors and connect to natural, cultural and historical resources. Manitobans can follow a park interpreter on a guided snowshoe or ski expedition to discover winter adaptations of Manitoba’s plants and animals, learn how to survive the winter by building a quinzhee, try their hand at ice fishing and bake bannock over a campfire.
Interpretive programs are happening every week in February. Teachers and group leaders can also book free interpretive school programs throughout the winter season.
Minister Mackintosh said promoting a greater winter focus in provincial parks is a part of the implementation of Building the Parks Province: Manitoba’s Parks Strategy, a fresh and sustainable strategy for provincial parks that focuses on key priority areas for investments and action to 2020.
For more information on winter activities and interpretive programs in provincial parks, email ParkInterpretation@gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitobaparks.com.
Manitobans are also reminded the Seasonal Camping Application package for the 2014 summer season is now available online. Applications are due Feb. 7. For more information, call 204-945-3934 or email seasoncamp@gov.mb.ca.
