GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS PEOPLEOF THE RED OF THERIVER FUR VALLEY TRADE Selff--DirectedDirected Drive Drive & & Stroll Stroll Tour Tour
Welcome to a Routes on the Red self-directed tour of the Red River Valley. These itineraries guide you through the history and the geography of this beautiful and interesting landscape. Several different Routes on the Red, featuring driving, cycling, walking or canoeing/kayaking, lead you on an exploration of four historical and cultural themes: Fur Trading Routes on the Red; Settler Routes on the Red; Natural and First Nations Routes on the Red; and Art and Cultural Routes on the Red.
The purpose of this route description is to provide information on a self-guided drive and walk. The walking described includes public lands and trails. While you enjoy yourself, please drive and hike carefully as you are responsible to ensure your own safety and that any activity is within your abilities. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this description is accurate and up to date. However, we are unable to accept responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury sustained as a result of anyone relying upon this information.
This is a tour that will let you explore the incredibly variety Today’s drive takes you from Winnipeg to Selkirk. There are of galleries and museums that can be found in the northern a number of locations along the way where you can pick up half of Manitoba’s Red River Valley. Along the way you will a lunch and other services. Restaurants can be found in: encounter a variety of cultures and a diversity of crafts that Winnipeg, Dugald, Oakbank, Selkirk and Lockport. will surely inspire you. Take your time, pack a lunch – enjoy all that southern Manitoba has to offer!
On today’s trip you will visit the following sites:
Cook’s Creek Heritage Museum Wild Rose Pottery Studio Highway 212 and Sapton Road Highway 206, north of Oakbank, Manitoba phone: (204) 444 - 4448 phone: (204) 444-3215 Open daily: 10 am - 6 pm Open most days. except for Wednesdays. admission: adult - $3, senior/youths - $2 Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre 184 Alexander Avenue East, Winnipeg, Manitoba Pine Ridge Hollow phone: (204) 942- 0218 South edge of Birds Hill Provincial Park Open Mon. to Sat: 10 am - 4 pm, and also phone: (204) 777-3881 Sun.: 1 pm - 5 pm in the summer Open 10 am - 9 pm all week except during Jan - March 23 (closed Tues. and Thurs.) Sage Pelican Gallery 6990 Henderson Highway, Lockport, Manitoba Selkirk Community Arts Centre phone: (204) 757- 4504 250 Manitoba Avenue, Selkirk, Manitoba Open most days. phone: (204) 482- 4359 Open Tues. to Sat., 11 am to 4 pm The Costume Museum of Canada North/West Junction of Hwy 15 and PR 206 Transcona Historical Museum Dugald, Manitoba 141 Regent Avenue West, Winnipeg, Manitoba phone: (204) 853 -2166 phone: (204) 222 - 0423 Open daily: March 26 -- May 7 and Oct. -- Dec., Open June – August: Mon. to Sat. 10 am - 5 pm, Mon. to Fri.: 10 am - 4 pm Feb. – May and Sept. – Dec., Tues. to Fri.: May 10 -- Sept., Mon. to Sat. 10 am - 4:30 pm, 12 noon - 5 pm, Sat. 10 am - 5 pm Sun.: 12 noon - 4:30 pm admission: adult - $5, senior - $4.50, student - $3.50, family - $14.00 2
Beginning of the Galleries and Museums Tour Driving Instructions:
Your excursion begins at The Forks in downtown Winnipeg. Before you begin your driving excursion, be sure to take some time to explore the wonderful craft shops in both the Johnston Terminal and The Forks Market buildings.
km to next location DIRECTIONS Total km
0.0 From the main parking lot beside the Johnston Terminal and The Forks Market building, 0.0 turn right onto Waterfront Drive.
0.4 Continue straight across Water Avenue and Pioneer Avenue. 0.4
0.6 Continue straight through the roundabout at Bannatyne Avenue. 1.0
0.4 Turn left onto Alexander Avenue. 1.4
Note the Alexander Docks on your right, just as you make this Docks is the Scots Monument, commemorating the lives of turn. This site offers public dock fishing and parking facilities. the Selkirk Settlers of Manitoba. This monument displayed in It is also the launch site of Winnipeg’s famous “Paddlewheel” a sculpture of gold, limestone and stainless steel is situated at riverboats, replicas of the stately boats that traversed these the historic site of the former Fort Douglas - a log fort in which waters during the 1870s. Located adjacent to the Alexander these settlers found refuge.
0.3 Cross Martha Street. 1.7
0.1 Arrive at OSEREDOK – the Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre. 1.8 It is the five story brick building on your left.
The Ukrainian Cultural and Education Centre is an unique ceremonial beads, pioneer tools, Easter eggs, woodcarvings cultural and heritage institution in North America. The art gallery and religious articles. The centre’s archive collection is the comprises a wide compilation of items by Ukrainian and biggest collection of Ukrainian archival material in the World. Ukrainian Canadian artists, including such renowned artists The adjacent gift shop offers a collection of unique Gifts, as Trutovsky, Levotsky, Maydanyk, Stryjek, Gritchenko and from “Pysanky”-Easter Egg kits, original artwork and jewellery Hnidorsky. The museum exhibits thousands of Ukrainian and books. artefacts, including regional costumes, musical instruments,
After your visit, continue straight on the road as it curves around the building.
0.1 Turn left onto Pacific Avenue. 1.9
Straight ahead of you, just before you make this turn, is the include the “Orientation”, the “Earth History”, the “Boreal Forest”, Manitoba Museum. This is Manitoba’s largest heritage centre, the “Arctic/Subarctic”, the “Parkland/ Mixed Woods” and the and well worth a visit. Exploring the history of Manitoba and other “Grasslands” galleries. The museum also contains a collection regions of the world, the museum itself features two primary of 2,300,000 human historical artefacts and a specimen sections, the Museum Gallery, and a Planetarium and Science library of over 200,000 plants, animals, rocks and minerals. Centre. The museum gallery offers a selection of eight interpretive The Planetarium is a multi-purpose audiovisual dome theatre, galleries, exploring the human and environmental history of the allowing visitors to explore the mysteries of the universe through province from the Northern Arctic Coast to the Grasslands Region. astronomical presentations. The theatre is also used for other Notable amongst these exhibits are the “Urban Gallery”; a depic- forms of entertainment programming. The museum’s “Touch the tion of urban life in the 1920’s and the “Nonsuch Gallery” a life- Universe” science centre provides guests with the opportunity size replica of the “Nonsuch’, the ship whose voyage in 1668 led to learn about themselves and their world in a fun science to the founding of the Hudson’s Bay company. Other displays related setting. Great for kids! 3
0.1 Turn left onto Lily Street at the stop sign. 2.0
0.3 Turn right onto the Disraeli Freeway at the yield sign. 2.3
1.0 Cross over the Red River. 3.3
0.3 Veer right immediately after the bridge onto Talbot Avenue. 3.6
0.3 Turn right onto Brazier Street. 3.9
0.1 Turn left onto Midwinter Avenue. 4.0
0.1 Turn right to follow the signs to Nairn Avenue. 4.1
0.1 Turn left at lights to stay on Nairn. Do not cross over the Louise Bridge. 4.2
3.3 Cross Lagimodiere Boulevard. 7.5
2.7 Enter Transcona. 10.2
Prior to its amalgamation with the City of Winnipeg, Transcona and, after 1919, the Canadian National Railway. It also was was its own independent town. The development of this com- instrumental in the construction of locomotives and rolling munity, which was established in 1911, as a rail car and steam stock. During the 1960s and 70s, the community’s manufac- locomotive repair centre for the new National Transcontinental- turing base diversified into other areas such as brewing and Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. The Town of Transcona derived the manufacturing of city buses and farm implements. Today, its name from the National Transcontinental Railway. At the the former city, now a Winnipeg suburb, continues to hold an time of its establishment, Transcona functioned primarily as a important relationship with the Canadian National Railway. train repair centre and railway community for the two railways
2.1 Pass the Transcona Historical Museum on your left, at the intersection with Bond Street. 12.3
This museum celebrates all things related to the history museum, they also have a variety of other collections – of Transcona. This includes a large collection of railway memo- such as: an archaeological exhibit displaying over 3,500 rabilia featuring numerous photographs and items related to artefacts from over 80 archaeological sites across Manitoba; rail freight transportation, repair, shop theory and practice, tools a natural science collection, displaying an exhibit of preserved and equipment. Additionally, there is a display of over 4,000 mammals, fish, amphibians and birds of Manitoba; a collection community based household and domestic artefacts, such as of mothsand butterflies; and an exhibit of the history of tools for food preparation, cloth production and laundering football in Transcona. – which bring to life the day-to-day activities of Transcona households over the past 100 years. Although quite a tiny There is so much to see here it is really worth a visit!
1.1 Continue on your road as it veers to the left after a stop sign. 13.4
0.2 Turn right at stop sign onto Victoria Avenue East. 13.6
0.6 Turn right onto Redonda Street. 14.2
0.3 Turn left onto Pandora Avenue East. 14.5
0.9 Turn right onto Ravenhurst Street. 15.4
0.8 Turn left onto Dugald Road. 16.2
0.5 Continue straight at the lights to cross the Perimeter Highway. 16.7
0.4 Cross over the Red River Floodway. 17.1
8.2 Turn left onto Route 206, direction OAKBANK, just before entering the town of Dugald. 25.3 4
This town was originally called Sunnyside, however, it acquired Railway (similar to Transcona). It is one of a collection of its present name in 1880 after Dugald Gillespie, who arrived in small towns including Elma, Hazel, St. Rita, Vivian and Anola, the region, from Ontario, at that time. The creation of the town which were formerly important as waypoints on the rail line was largely a legacy of the development of the Grand Trunk into Winnipeg.
0.2 Immediately after crossing railway tracks, turn left to enter the parking lot for 25.5 the Costume Museum of Canada.
This museum (once simply known as the Dugald Costume The genesis of this museum can be traced back to 1953 when Museum) contains a wide collection of over 35,000 clothing the Dugald Women’s Institute began displaying a collection of and textile related artefacts, representing the lives of the period costumes in local historical fashion shows. These shows everyday Canadian - spanning a period of over 400 years. grew quite popular and gained a wide audience, which eventually The museum also contains some of the top world fashion pieces led to the Dugald Fashion Show Review. By 1977, a growing from such renowned designs as Chanel, Paco Rabourne, Vionnet, demand for the presentations led to the establishment of the Scasso and Schiaparelli. Exhibits at the museum change on an Dugald Costume Museum, to collect, restore, preserve and annual basis. A popular (and permanent) item at the museum display the growing numbers of clothing items. The rest is the fully furnished pioneer home adjacent to the museum. is history. The museum gift shop, features costume inspired items such as porcelain dolls, handcrafted jewellery and costume books. If you would like a short break, they also have a number Also located at the museum is the Museum Tea Room. of picnic tables on site that you can use. Here visitors can stay for a light lunch of homemade soups and desert, including fresh scones with Devonshire cream Following your visit, return to Route 206 and turn left. and the museum’s famous “Cream Tea” served in fine China.
4.9 Enter Oakbank. 30.4
Oakbank is one of several communities, comprising the glaciation. The legacy, which remains from this ancient lake, is Rural Municipality of Springfield (which also includes Dugald). a vast expanse of glacial deposits, sand and sediment scattered Springfield is located along the shores of the historic Lake across the region’s landscape. Today these resources support Agassiz, an ancient glacial lake, which covered most of Manitoba gravel and stone quarries in adjacent communities. Oakbank is and parts of northwestern Ontario, following the most recent named for the many oak trees on the nearby Moosenose Hill.
4.7 Continue straight at Garven Road. 35.1
1.7 Turn left onto Hillside Road, onto a gravel road (following a sign to Pine Ridge Hollow). 36.8
3.3 Turn right onto Heatherdale Road at a 3-way stop sign. 40.1
0.9 Turn left into Pine Ridge Hollow parking lot. 41.0
This is a beautiful little spot with a lovely garden, craft store, to take a few moments to explore their gardens and stop in at tearoom and restaurant – right beside Birds Hill Park. Be sure their store – filled with a variety of items.
Following your visit, retrace your steps to Route 206.
4.2 Turn left at stop sign onto Route 206. 45.2
0.3 Pass the entrance to Hilltop Antiques and Collectibles on your right. 45.5
0.5 The land on your left is part of Birds Hill Provincial Park. 46.0 5
Birds Hill Provincial Park and the small community of Birds Hill Over the years, the land here has supplied many natural on PR 202 were named after the Bird family that came to resources, first timber for fuel and building material, then sand the area in 1788. James Curtis Bird worked as a writer with and gravel for the production of concrete and asphalt. Between the Hudson’s Bay Company and, over 36 years of service, the turn of the century and 1975, an estimated 137 million eventually became Chief Factor for the Red River District. It is tons of sand and gravel (the legacy of Lake Agassiz) were said he had more knowledge of the country than all the HBC removed. officers combined. Upon his retirement in 1824, Bird was granted over 3,000 acres of land on the east side of the The provincial government established Birds Hill Provincial Park Red River, of which some included the area where the in 1964, enabling the area’s beauty to be enjoyed by all. Over community of Birds Hill is today. The Red River was the main the next three years, the campground, artificial lake and roads transport route in those days and Bird built a home on its were developed. The park was officially opened in 1967 to banks. He married several times, fathering 15 children. celebrate Canada’s centennial. It now covers 3,350 hectares or 8,673 acres and offers over 35 km of hiking, cross-country The Bird family referred to the current park area, which was ski and bike trails. rich with game and natural materials, as the Pines or Pineridge. During spring flooding in the Red River valley, settlers, fur traders One role of the park is to preserve a portion of Aspen/Oak and wildlife found refuge here on the higher ground. In 1826 Parkland, a combination of grasslands and forest. The patches and 1852, when severe floods threatened the very survival of of prairie are reminders of the large grasslands that covered the the Red River Settlement, entire families camped here with southern region of the province before the arrival of the settlers. their livestock and possessions. Rare plants from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forest region of Ontario and Quebec can also be found throughout the park. European homesteaders in the late 19th century settled the One of the park’s distinctive features is the concentration of land of today’s park. German Lutherans, who were some of many plant varieties in a relatively small area: tall grass, cedar the first, built the church still standing across from the east park bogs, stands of aspen, prairie wildflowers and chokecherry trees. gate. Many Polish and Ukrainian settlers also farmed the land. The diverse plant life provides habitats for a variety of wildlife, Initially, the soil was very productive for rye and potatoes, including a white-tailed deer population numbering between but its fertility gradually decreased, causing people to turn 150 and 250. The park is a paradise for bird watchers – to other trades in nearby towns over 200 bird species have been sighted since the park opened in 1967. In winter, you may see brilliant yellow grosbeaks, black-capped chickadees and redpolls.
0.8 Turn right onto Zora Road. 46.8
If you would like to visit Birds Hill Park, continue straight for a little to reach the East Gate entrance to the park.
1.7 Turn right onto Spruce Road. 48.5
0.7 Turn right into Wild Rose Pottery. Follow the driveway through to the studio (keep right). 49.2
This is a fabulous pottery studio and gallery – where you can ropes of tempered clay being spiralled around or added in rings have the opportunity to meet the artists (if you happen to catch to form the walls of the pot as it was formed and shaped by them in). Not only can you watch them work, but you might be paddling the exterior against an anvil on the interior, The paddle able to give it a go yourself! In addition to the lovely pieces they and anvil method started with a mass of tempered clay that was make, they have created fabulous water gardens. This is a great drawn upward manually into a pot as the walls were thinned place to wander about, and perhaps have a quiet picnic away and shaped as the exterior was paddled against the anvil on from any crowds. the inside.
Pottery represents one of the oldest art forms to be created. More recent developments in pottery have seen this initially Some of the oldest pottery found can be found in Japan and utilitarian craft become its own art form. In the 1950s, many dates back to the Jomon period, more than 10,000 years ago. Canadian potters studied overseas and brought back influences Developed independently at a variety of locations around the from other areas of the world – resulting in a wide diversification world (from the Far East to the Middle East and Europe), the of styles. In the 1960’s the “Raku” style of pottery became history of ceramics in North America dates back more than predominant among many ceramicists, being influenced by 2,500 years ago and can be traced back to the Mississippi Japanese methods (Wild Rose Pottery makes fabulous raku River area. These pots were typically used for food preparation. pieces, and you can ask them about creating your own raku pot). The First Nations people used the “coil” method, and the “paddle and anvil” method. The coil method consisted of long 6
Generally speaking three main types of pottery exist; the first “porcelain”, originally invented by the Chinese (206 B.C-220A.D) and simplest form is “earthenware”. This is the pottery of through the combination of feldspathic material into the stone- ancient times, created from fired clay baked to a degree of ware. This original form of pottery, “soft” porcelain originally was hardness. The second form is “stoneware”, typically used for translucent in colour with a lead glaze, as opposed to the highly domestic purposes; this form of pottery is fired at a very intense glossy, and smooth pottery, one typically associates heat level – making it non-porous. The third form of pottery is with “true” porcelain.
Following your visit, exit the driveway and turn left onto Spruce Road, to return the way you came.
0.6 Turn right onto Zora Road at the stop sign. 49.8
3.3 Turn left to pass in front of the impressive Ukrainian Catholic Church 53.1 of the Immaculate Conception in Cook’s Creek.
If it is open, be sure to stop in for a visit.
The church is often referred to as the “Prairie Cathedral” for churches throughout Canada. Since this church was located its magnificent appearance on the open prairie. When there near the geographic centre of Canada, Ruh envisioned the are no leaves on the trees, the church’s cross is visible from Church as a “Spiritual Nucleus” for Ukrainian-Canadians. Hazelridge, six kilometres away. The spectacular decoration and He also constructed it as memorial in honour of the Holy interior design of this church are the work of local Manitoban Lady of Lourdes - St. Bernadette. As a young girl Bernadette artists. Some of these works include a painting of Mary being received a vision of Mary, the Christian mother of God at crowned as the queen of heaven, a painting of the Annuncia- Lourdes, France. The church’s adjoining grotto, designed by tion, and of the appearance of Mary to the children of Fatima. the Reverend at the late age of 70, is constructed as a miniature replica of the Grotto at Lourdes, the location where It was erected in 1930 and it was consecrated in 1952. It is Bernadette claimed to see the Holy Mother. Although Ruh did the third of three churches to be constructed in the town of not live to see its completion, the construction of the grotto Cook’s Creek, built to meet the demands of the large and was overseen by the Knight’s of Columbus. growing Ukrainian congregation. This church was designed by the architect and Reverend, FatherFather Philip Ruh (1883-1962),(1883-1962), On August 14, 2004 a plaque dedicating the church as a designer of approximately thirty other Ukrainian Catholic National Historic Site was unveiled.
1.4 Pass the Cook’s Creek Museum on your left, immediately beside St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church. 54.5
Cook’s Creek was first settled by Ukrainian immigrants in and artefacts. The museum provides a glimpse into the lives 1892. Much of this heritage can be viewed at the museum, of these settlers through several historic displays, including which displays numerous cultural treasures. The Cook’s Creek an authentic Blacksmith’s shop, a restored pioneer home, Heritage Museum features many remnants from the oldest carpenter’s shop and candle house as well as a wide collection Gallacian Settlement in Western Canada, and boasts one of of farm machines. the largest collections of unique, Slavic and religious articles
6.8 Turn left onto Route 44 West. 61.3
6.8 Turn right direction GRAND BEACH onto Hwy 59. 68.1
4.7 Turn left onto Route 509, direction SELKIRK. 72.8
1.8 Veer right onto Route 204, direction SELKIRK. The Red River is on your left. 74.6
2.7 Cross the Red River. 77.3
0.2 Turn right onto Eveline Street immediately after the bridge. 77.5 7
You are now in the City of Selkirk. The namesake of this town, Sir Sanford Flemming struggled desperately to keep the rail line Thomas Douglas – also commonly known as Lord Selkirk, in Selkirk, however, his efforts were unsuccessful, and the line commissioned the Canadian government in the 17th century was granted to Winnipeg. The region, however later gained the for a grant of land to be provided to people who had been attraction of local surveyors, and fishing companies, for its’ forced from their land in Scotland due to a poor economy and “West Slough”, a naturally deep and protected inlet. The inlet an oppressive government. He is accredited with the settlement was used as a harbour for boats, subsequently, Selkirk was to of Scottish settlers within the Red River valley as well as other play role as a vital river port and centre for ship construction. areas throughout Canada, including Prince Edward Island, The region specialized in lumber, fish export and agriculture. and Baldoon, Upper Canada (now Ontario). In 1913, it became a centre for steel production, in the construction of the Manitoba Rolling Mill. Today, Selkirk remains During the 1870’s, the Selkirk community competed with its as an important steel-producing region. It is also involved in neighbour to the south - Winnipeg, in the decision for the loca- the areas of light manufacturing, the service sector and tion of the Canadian Pacific Railway passage point; the railway, government administration. which would link Eastern Canada to the West. At that time,
0.6 Pass the entrance to the Marine Museum on the right, turn left onto Queen Avenue. 78.1
This is a very interesting museum that allows you to board a number of historic river boats that once plied the waters of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.
0.2 Turn left onto Main Street. 78.3
0.5 Turn left onto Manitoba Avenue, passing the Selkirk Community Arts Centre on your right. 78.8
Park at any of the angle parking spots along Manitoba Avenue. Office Building” was purchased by a local developer, who in The Art Gallery is located in the old Post Office building on turn, transformed it into a rooming house. By 1979, the building the corner of Main and Manitoba and is well worth a visit. This had experienced a fair amount of neglect and a sequence of building, a Manitoba Heritage Site, is home to the renowned unfortunate events, which resulted in it being condemned. Gwen Fox Gallery, which displays artworks by local artists and In the mid 1980s, a group of volunteers interested in the arts offers a gift shop featuring local crafts. Exhibits within the gallery and in preserving the heritage of the Old Post Office, purchased change on a monthly basis and admission is free – although the building and utilized it as an arts centre. However, as funding donations are most welcome. sources dwindled, the building underwent a period of decay, but was rescued once again by a group of interested volunteers This former post office was built on land that was purchased in the late 1990s. Today the building continues to function as for $50.00 in 1905, and construction began in 1907. In addition the community arts centre and houses a number of other to serving as the location of a post office, the building initially tenants that share the space. also functioned as the offices for the local police department and Indian Agents. It later served as the site of the Fishery Department offices. In 1957, the Post Office was relocated further down Main Street, and subsequently, the “Old Post
Following your visit to the Art Gallery, continue driving down Manitoba Avenue.
0.3 Turn right onto Eveline Street. 79,1
2.8 Pass St. Clements Church on your right and the St. Clements park on your left. 81.9
3.0 Turn left onto Highway 9. 84.9
0.4 Pass Lower Fort Garry on your left – a National Historic Site. 85.3
3.3 Turn left at lights onto Highway 44, to enter Lockport. 88.6 8
You have now arrived in Lockport, home of the famous River to Lake Winnipeg. The primary purpose of this lock and St. Andrew’s Lock and Dam, from which the community gains dam was to bypass the St. Andrews rapids. The special nature its name. The St. Andrews Lock was important in the navigation of the construction of this lock and dam has resulted in its being of the large riverboats that once travelled up and down the Red named a National Historic Site.
1.2 Cross the Red River (over the lock and dam). 89.8
Turn left onto Henderson Highway, and turn immediately left again onto a gravel road, 0.6 90.4 following signs to the Sage Pelican Gallery.
0.3 Arrive at the gallery. 90.7
Take a few moments to explore this unique gallery filled with interesting crafts. You also have a wonderful view of the Red River from here.
Following your visit, return to Henderson Highway and turn right.
0.3 Continue straight across Highway 44. 91.0
9.6 Enter the area of Henderson Highway where numerous market gardens can be found. 100.6
You may want to pick up some fresh produce for dinner tonight.
8.0 Pass beneath the Perimeter Highway. 108.6
8.0 Cross over the Red River. 116.6
1.3 Turn left just before the first set of lights after the bridges onto Lily Street. 117.5
0.3 Pass behind the Centennial Concert Hall. 118.2
You are now in Winnipeg’s Theatre District.
0.1 Turn left onto Market at the T-intersection in front of the Manitoba Theatre Centre 118.3 and then make an immediate right onto Rorie.
0.3 Turn left onto McDermot Avenue. 118.6
0.2 Turn right onto Waterfront Drive. 118.8
1.0 Arrive back at The Forks. 119.8
On this trip you have had the opportunity to explore numerous galleries, studios and museums in the northern half of Manitoba’s Red River valley, discovering a diversity of crafts and cultures along the way. 9
Thank you for joining Routes on the Red’s self-directed excursion exploring the cultural heritage of the Red River Valley. We hope that you had an enjoyable trip, and we would love to have you discover more of the Red River Valley on our other self-directed itineraries.
We greatly value your input and comments. If something was not clear, a road sign changed, or if you found a delightful picnic site or visit that you would like to share with future travellers, please let us know. The best way to communicate is to write the changes or new information directly onto the appropriate route description page, and mail or fax it to the Rivers West office. Thank you in advance for your contributions!
Rivers West, officially known as Red River Corridor Inc./L’Association du Corridor Rivière Rouge, is a not-for-profit organization, with the overall objective to develop the Red River Corridor as a destination. Our mandate is to create and implement a long-term tourism and conservation strategy focusing on the development, promotion and management of the natural, tourism, cultural and heritage, and recreational resources of the Red River from Emerson to Lake Winnipeg. We are pleased to receive financial support from the federal and provincial governments and the participation of rural municipalities, towns and cities along the length of the river. A variety of projects are underway in the Red River region. These include the preservation of special lands for conservation, designation of the Red River as a heritage river, increasing opportunities for public access to the River, and the development and promotion of the river valley’s natural, cultural, recreational and tourism resources. Contact us for more information at: www.riverswest.ca or www.routesonthered.ca 201-One Forks Market Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4L9 PH: 204-945-7733 or 1-800-665-0040 ext. 7733 FAX: 204-943-7915 E-MAIL: [email protected]