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Manitoba Government Announces Free Provincial Park Access All Month Long

Manitobans are invited to make the most of the scenery and winter activities available in Manitoba parks with free entry to all provincial parks for the entire month of February, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.

“We may not have had as much snow as we’re used to this winter but there are still plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy everything our parks have to offer,” Minister Mackintosh said.  “We have groomed trails for snowmobiles, skijoring and cross-country skiing, as well as great places for hiking or snowshoeing.”

Trail grooming reports are updated every Thursday throughout the winter so people can plan their outdoor adventure.  Maps of winter trails and updated reports can be found at www.manitobaparks.com.  SnoPasses are still required for snowmobilers using groomed trails in provincial parks.

Interpreters are also on-site in several locations to help visitors make the most of what the parks have to offer, 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 with natural, cultural and historical resources.  

Highlights for the month of February include:

• cross-country ski clinic in the Spruce Woods Provincial Park on Saturday, Feb. 7;
• learn to ice fish in the Spruce Woods Provincial Park on Saturday, Feb. 14;
• winter safari special event in the Birds Hill Provincial Park on Sunday, Feb. 22; and
• guided ski in the Whiteshell Provincial Park on Saturday, Feb. 28.

Interpretive programs are happening every week in February.  More information on these events and other upcoming programs can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/act_interp/events/events.html.

Teachers and group leaders can also book free interpretive school programs throughout the winter season and more information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/act_interp/teachers.html.

Free park entry for February and the focus on winter activities in provincial parks is part 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, Minister Mackintosh said.  For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parksstrategy/index.html.