Henteleff Family Roots
Before it was a park, this was a place people farmed, fished, and built a life around long before anyone thought to give it a name.
Natural Roots
TThe 40-acre park nestled against the eastern bank of the historic Red River is a natural urban oasis with diverse plant and wildlife. It is a refuge for more than 150 different species of songbirds that nest and use the park during their migration. It is an important backwater and spawning area for at least 10 fish species that swim up Normand Creek from the Red River. It is a serene sanctuary for community residents to enjoy a quiet respite from the bustle of the city life all around.
Métis Roots
The roots of our city and our province stretch back to the banks of the Red River of two centuries ago. The first Métis families settled here shortly after the Selkirk Settlers arrived in 1812. Since 1822, the nutrient-rich soil of what is now Henteleff Park was the ideal setting for the farms of several Métis families. The river provided the water for their crops, the fish to supplement their diets, and the transportation to move their harvest.
The Frobisher, Lacoste and Normand families thrived along the riverbank. The market garden community was a diverse ethnic mix of nationalities, in addition to the Métis families and the Henteleffs. Métis farms were the foundation of the Market Gardeners’ Society, formed in 1903.
Market Garden Roots
The Red River is the cultural and historical hub of western Canada, the site of early trading posts that spurred European settlement in the area. When the Red River Settlement was established in 1812, the river became the centre of agricultural development. The river that brought the people here also provided the rich soil and water that nourished market gardens along its banks.
Out of these market garden operations evolved the Manitoba Vegetable Growers Association, now known as Peak of the Market.
Together We Can Still Do More
From planting native trees to preserving our natural ecosystems, our volunteers make every acre thrive.