History + Projects

When Canada’s best and largest urban skatepark opened at The Forks on July 1, 2006, it was welcomed with fireworks, world-famous skateboard pros and a crowd of 50,000 spectators.

From that magnificent start, The Plaza at The Forks has become a vital gathering place for young people in Winnipeg. It’s much more than a bunch of kids skating around—it’s a lively community of kindness, persistent practice and mentorship. On any given day, you’ll see people of all abilities supporting each other to push themselves to learn new skills.

The skatepark is just the first of many public spaces that the Forks Foundation has supported, places that, now, Winnipeggers can’t imagine living without. Since forming in 2004 as a registered charity, we have raised over $4 million to offer beauty, art, and programs throughout the Forks and downtown. We aim to ensure that these public spaces remain vibrant meeting places for generations to come.

As another example, the River Trail attracts thousands of visitors each year to gather, connect, and play outdoors at The Forks all winter long. Soon after opening in 2009, the trail won the Guinness World Record for the longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world. In 2018 the trail spanned 10 kilometres of the Red and Assiniboine rivers.

The Foundation is now involved in refurbishing Niizhoziibean, the southernmost point of The Forks. This project honours our city’s Indigenous heritage and its prominent place alongside the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Niizhoziibean, which means two rivers in Ojibway, inspires new pathways for reconciliation.

 

Explore other Forks Foundation projects:

The Plaza at The Forks Skateboard Park

The Plaza at The Forks Skateboard Park

The Plaza at The Forks Skateboard Park

The Plaza at The Forks has become a vital gathering place for young people in Winnipeg. It’s much more than a bunch of kids skating around—it’s a lively community of kindness, persistent practice and mentorship.

Learn more
Niizhoziibean

Niizhoziibean

Niizhoziibean

Niizhoziibean means two rivers in Ojibway and inspires new pathways for reconciliation. This project honours our city’s Indigenous heritage and its prominent place alongside the Red and Assiniboine Rivers.

Learn more
River Trail

River Trail

River Trail

Each year the river trail attracts thousands of visitors to gather, connect, and play outdoors at The Forks all winter long.

Learn more