An easy walk/cycle 'n grab through the Assiniboine Forest, the largest urban natural forest in Canada. The forest is a blend of open meadows, wetland areas, ponds and large swaths of old growth forest, and hosts a variety of species of flora and fauna. It is 285 hectares of largely undisturbed wilderness and has a total of 18 kilometres of maintained multi-use trails that are used year-round by walkers, runners, cross country skiers and cyclists. The forest helps to reduce solar radiation, limits runoff, absorbs urban noise, modifies the air quality, improves human health and provides wildlife habitat. As an environmental carbon sink, the forest can also be useful both in mitigating climate change and helping the city adapt to higher temperatures and other impacts, such as reducing Winnipeg’s heat island effect.
Since 1990, the Winnipeg Charleswood Rotary Club has been the custodian of the Assiniboine Forest, providing over $600,000 in funding/grants and over 2,000 volunteer labour hours to support a variety of projects and initiatives. These include the entrance sign, development of the parking lot, the construction of a front gate, and the design and construction of the Eve Werier Pond boardwalk. The club is currently fundraising to do more enhancements.
(https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1000/sitepage/assiniboine-forest/the-assiniboine-forest-today