January 31, 2017
Province Offers Free Park Entry in February
The Manitoba government will once again encourage Manitobans and visitors to the province to enjoy the scenery and winter activities in Manitoba provincial parks with free park entry for the entire month of February, Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox announced today.
“Winter is a wondrous time to visit our provincial parks,” Cox said. “Our parks offer countless opportunities to take part in winter activities or to simply enjoy the splendor of nature in a beautiful snowy setting. We encourage everyone to take a moment this winter to get outside and enjoy a walk in the park or blaze a trail with skis or snowshoes.”
Vehicle permits are not required in any provincial park this month, but SnoPasses are still required for snowmobiles using groomed trails in the parks. There are groomed trails in 12 provincial parks across the province for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and hiking. Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain provincial parks also offer outdoor skating areas, hockey rinks and toboggan hills while fat biking is welcome at Birds Hill Provincial Park on the Oak Ridge Mountain Bike Trail.
Trail grooming reports are updated online every Thursday throughout the winter. Manitobans are encouraged to check trail conditions and weather forecasts before visiting to parks to properly plan their outdoor adventure. Maps of winter trails and updated reports can be found at www.manitobaparks.com.
Park interpreters are offering several guided experiences this winter. Interpretive programs are free and offered year round in Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks. Highlights for the month of February include:
- a cross-country ski clinic in Spruce Woods Provincial Park on Sunday, Feb. 5;
- a guided ski trip in Whiteshell Provincial Park on Saturday, Feb. 18;
- a learn to ice fish session in the Spruce Woods Provincial Park on Sunday, Feb. 19; and
- a winter safari in Birds Hill Provincial Park on Sunday, Feb. 26.
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/sd/parks/act_interp/events/events.html.
Teachers can also book free guided school programs throughout the winter season. More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/act_interp/teachers.html. For more information on winter activities and interpretive programs in provincial parks, email ParkInterpretation@gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitobaparks.com.
Manitobans can also stay up to date with provincial park news, activities and events by following the Twitter channel at www.twitter.com/MBGovParks.
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