What a Happy New Year indeed! Thanks to near-perfect freezing conditions over the past few weeks, the Nestaweya River Trail is now open.
Today, The Forks celebrated this incredible moment alongside partners, donors, and the many community members who enjoy the trail as much as we do.
People from across Manitoba and beyond gather on the Nestaweya River Trail each winter to share a one-of-a-kind experience on the frozen water. These memories are made possible by the dedicated crew who care for the trail every day. It is thanks to their weeks of monitoring weather conditions, testing the ice, clearing the snow, flooding the surface, and smoothing the trail that everyone can safely enjoy this iconic winter wonder.
This moment is also thanks to you and the many others who have adopted a metre through The Forks Foundation Trail Together campaign. Every $50 donation directly supports the essential work that keeps the trail safe, welcoming, and magical for every skater, walker, and winter enthusiast who comes along.
“What a great way to kick off the new year,” says Sara Stasiuk, President and CEO of The Forks. “The Nestaweya River Trail exists because of the care, energy, and support of our community, and adopting a metre is a meaningful way to help keep this extraordinary winter experience alive.”
The Nestaweya River Trail is now open at The Forks Port and from The Forks Port to Queen Elizabeth Way. More sections of the trail will open as the season progresses. For updates on the status of skating trails, please visit theforks.com/skate.
Still haven’t adopted your metre yet? Don’t worry, there’s still time to #TrailTogether! Join us in keeping this winter tradition alive by supporting The Forks Foundation and adopting your metre here!
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The Forks Foundation is the affiliated charity of The Forks North Portage, established in 2006. Over the years The Forks Foundation has received major gifts from caring Winnipeggers to help build the skatepark at The Forks and commission public art that is seen around the site. This campaign marks the first time The Forks Foundation has undertaken a public fundraising effort.
Nestaweya honours the original Cree name for the area now known as Winnipeg. Nestaweya means “three points,” reflecting how people historically accessed the site by river from three directions. The name recognizes the deep history of the rivers as gathering places and travel routes long before The Forks became a modern meeting place.