Assiniboine Park — Winnipeg’s urban gem

Winnipeg

When people think of iconic urban parks, New York City usually comes to mind. However, right here in Winnipeg, the sprawling 1,100-acre Assiniboine Park quietly claims a surprising distinction: our urban gem is more than 250 acres larger than Central Park. Making it one of Canada’s largest city greenspaces. But size is only part of the story.

With Winnipeg’s rapid growth in the late 19th century, civic leaders believed an urban park was essential for improving quality of life, while also making the city more attractive. Assiniboine Park was designed by Frederick G. Todd in 1905, one of Canada’s early landscape architects. He had trained as a student under renowned influences like Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer behind New York’s Central Park.

Assiniboine Park officially opened on Victoria Day in 1909. Landscaped in the English style, it included tree-lined roadways, formal gardens, walking paths, open fields, and a pond.

The original Pavilion was built in 1908 and designed by John D. Atchison, consisting of a dance hall, banquet space, and water tower. The zoo was also established in 1908, starting with a small collection of deer donated by local citizens. By the time of the park’s opening in 1909, the zoo had grown to include 116 animals across 19 species.

Today’s Assiniboine Park is a beautiful blend of attractions and tranquility where you can spend hours enjoying its features, exploring trails, picnicking with friends and family, or even just relaxing with a book.

Leo Mol was a Ukrainian Canadian artist renowned for bronze sculptures, with work that combines classical techniques with expressive realism. He donated over 300 pieces to the City of Winnipeg, many of which are presently featured in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden in Assiniboine Park. Unlike traditional galleries, the open-air setting feels intimate, inviting you to organically discover each piece as you meander among flowerbeds, pathways, and tree-lined stretches.

Since 1926, the English Garden at Assiniboine Park offers a peaceful retreat amid carefully curated plantings that are regularly added to. Flower beds flow with roses, lilies, and peonies, and magnificent fragrances fill the air. Benches tucked beneath towering elms make perfect spots to pause and enjoy the serene settings.

In 1999, the Lyric Theatre kicked off its programming. It was developed as part of a broader initiative to enhance cultural and community experiences in the park. The outdoor stage hosts free concerts, dance performances, and movie nights, as well as ticketed events. On warm evenings, the park comes alive with locals and travelers alike, gathering together to enjoy performances under the prairie sky.

The most current addition to Assiniboine Park is The Leaf — a stunning glass conservatory that offers an immersive journey into the global story of plants. First opening in December 2022, it has four distinct biomes: the lush Tropical Biome with towering palms and orchids, the fragrant Mediterranean Biome filled with citrus and herbs, the tranquil Babs Asper Display House, and an ever-changing seasonal display.

Trails throughout the park are popular with joggers, walkers, and cyclists, as they wind through forests, beside open spaces, and along the Assiniboine River. Over the centuries, the river served as a vital transportation and trading route for First Nations. Today, it still provides a sense of continuity and connection to the landscape, where people can journey by canoe, kayak, and other watercraft.

Whether you’re seeking a stroll, a free performance, or a gathering with loved ones, you’ll find plenty of opportunity within Assiniboine Park — which remains one of Winnipeg’s most treasured destinations and community spaces.