Volunteering at Henteleff Park: Honouring the Past, Relishing the Present, Anticipating the FutureI step silently along the woodland path, heading west toward the river. A rustle in the bushes to my right startles me and I stop to investigate. Seeing nothing, hearing nothing, I move on. Then, again, a noise.  A lone squirrel stocking up for winter? Prairie grasses gently moving in the fall breeze? As I slowly look up, I spot the source.

My companions on the trail through Henteleff Park this peaceful October day are two Whitetail deer: a doe and her fawn. As I stop, they stop. We stare at each other, share a few seconds of recognition, and then continue on our separate ways, simply enjoying the natural beauty of this lovely 12-hectare tract of land along the Red River in St. Vital.

I first visited Henteleff Park one hot and humid July afternoon a few years ago. A friend had asked me to accompany her on a search for Monarch butterflies in the Park. A photographer, she wanted to add to her collection of butterfly photos. Neither of us was disappointed as the afternoon excursion came to an end – she was delighted with her pictures and I had fallen in love with a landscape which welcomed me and piqued my curiosity at the same time.

How had this parcel of land escaped the hands of property developers whose work loomed large in the immediate neighbourhood and beyond? Like many other areas of Winnipeg, south St. Vital had seen a massive expansion of condominium complexes and new residential communities in the last few decades.

Why hadn’t it happened here?

And the impressive variety of trees, including those planted in straight rows? Where did they come from? Who had lived here and loved this land?

It seemed like the Park held so many memories. I sensed that there were stories here.

Since that first walkabout, I have become a regular hiker in the Park, always enjoying the peace and natural beauty regardless of weather, seasonal changes or chaotic world events. Learning to identify the various plants and trees has been a special joy to me and has enhanced my experience in the Park enormously. I now anticipate when the first tiny wildflowers will appear in the spring and when the tamarack will cast its golden glow at the end of October, making its colourful contribution to the beauty of the Park long after the deciduous trees have lost their leaves.

My newly acquired understanding of the history of the Park has been a revelation. Henteleff Park is named after the immigrant family who arrived from Europe a hundred years ago, and started market gardening on the land. I have also learned that, in the 19^th century, Metis families owned sections of this property.

In early 2023, I offered to volunteer at the Park. Joining the HPF Communications Committee introduced me to a wonderful group of dedicated and skilful Henteleff Park enthusiasts. Their willingness to share their wisdom and knowledge so generously and patiently has made my volunteer experience a joy.

As just one of many volunteers at Henteleff Park, I have grown to appreciate the scope of work that is involved in preserving this south Winnipeg treasure. Maintaining the Park as a unique intersection of our city’s geography, history, ecology and natural beauty requires a large team of volunteers now and in the future.

Donna Marion
Member, Communications Committee

To explore volunteer opportunities at Henteleff Park or to share your story of why you are a volunteer please contact Terri Ashcroft, Volunteer Coordinator terri.ashcroft@henteleffpark.org

PHOTO CREDIT: WES BRAUN

Henteleff Park is always a good place to hear and see wildlife. This year’s fawns have lost their spots and grown considerably, although they will still stay with their mothers over the winter. Two sets of twin fawns were observed this year.

A resident of The Waterfront condo complex, who closely monitors wildlife in the park, counted five bucks and 14 does and fawns in one week in late October. During the fall mating season, when bucks are in pursuit of a mate, bucks spar with other bucks to determine dominance and to compete for receptive does. It is especially important for people and their pets to give deer extra space this time of the year.

Coyotes, which have been around the Park for several years, but usually only in the winter, now appear to be permanent residents in the Park and surrounding area. They were spotted at various times throughout the summer season.

Although this caused concern for people at times, the coyotes generally ignore the human visitors to the Park. However, walkers should ensure that they read the signs posted by the main entrances to the Park to make sure they know how to respond if a coyote comes too close.

Both deer and coyotes frequent the Park in winter. Year-round bird residents include Downy woodpeckers, Hairy woodpeckers, Pileated woodpeckers, Great horned owls, Blue jays, White-breasted nuthatches and the ever-popular Chickadees, which are probably the most commonly spotted bird in the winter. But keep your eyes open for winter visitors such as Owls, Common redpolls and flocks of Bohemian waxwings. If you see any interesting or unusual birds in the Park over the winter, please let us know!

Marilyn Latta, Chair Site Management Committee

PHOTO CREDIT: WADE MUNRO

We are a non-profit registered charity with Canada Revenue agency and all donations receive a tax-deductible receipt. If donating by cheque please make it payable to “Henteleff Park Foundation.”