Message from the President

The winter, spring and summer of 2018 have been exceptionally interesting for Henteleff Park. It has been a time of exciting developments, interesting challenges and important progress. In this report, I will highlight some of the significant events that have taken place at Henteleff Park over the past year.

Normand Road Apartment Plan
A most challenging situation that occurred this year was the proposed construction by Progressive Real Estate of a 535-unit apartment complex immediately south of Henteleff Park on Normand Road. Henteleff Park Foundation took the position that this project would have a very negative impact on the park and the community-at-large, so HPF became actively involved in opposing the plans.

Over many months HPF did considerable research and attended many meetings with community residents, political leaders and a legal team to get a clear idea of what the plan entailed, what it’s impact would be and how to oppose it. To this end, with the very skilled help of Dave Hill LLb, HPF sent numerous letters to the City of Winnipeg outlining our legal position.  Furthermore, in partnership with Van Hull Residents Association, HPF spent many evenings soliciting names for a petition opposing the development plans. As a result of this effort, HPF and Van Hull RA collected over 500 names opposing the development.

Finally, HPF attended the Riel Community Committee hearing in which the project proponents submitted their request for rezoning. At the same time, many members of the community, including HPF responded. Over the course of 8 hours, from 5:30 PM to 1:30 AM, dozens of presentations opposing the plans – including our own – were submitted and reviewed by the Riel Community Committee.

At the end, the RCC approved the re-zoning application by the proponent but with significant requirements for plan alterations.  While this was not a complete win – HPF did not want to see any apartment development on Normand Road – the changes recommended by the RCC require serious downsizing which may prove to be un-economical for the developer. At this time HPF is waiting to see what the developer is going to do.

Toronto Dominion Bank Friends of the Environment Grant.
This year, Henteleff Park Foundation applied for and received a significant grant from Toronto Dominion Bank Friends of the Environment Foundation. The grant we received was put to very good use in that it allowed us to upgrade some important lawn machinery, purchase more trees and add to the wages that we pay our summer students. We wish to thank TD Bank Friends of the Environment Fund for its generous support of Henteleff Park and the numerous projects across the country that run reforestation and environmental sustainability programs.

Canada Summer Jobs
This year HPF again received funds from the Federal government’s Canada Summer Jobs program to hire 4 summer students. HPF strongly supports this initiative and feels very strongly that Government support in this fashion is extremely important as it allows charitable organizations such as HPF to employ high school and university students for community and environmental enhancement programs.

Henteleff Park Foundation wishes to thank Service Canada for its continued support of Henteleff Park Foundation.

Land Dedication Reserve Fund
This year, Henteleff Park Foundation received an outstanding grant from the City of Winnipeg’s Land Dedication Reserve Fund. The LDRF is money set aside by the city for greenspace and park enhancement. In our case, the money is used for tree purchases, park machinery servicing and improvement, trail enhancement and continued park re-naturalization and beautification. Henteleff Park Foundation wishes to thank City of Winnipeg for its continued support of Henteleff Park.

Board of Directors
As a charitable organization, Henteleff Park Foundation is run by volunteers on its board of directors. Our bylaws require a minimum of 3 board members and a maximum of 15, each with a three-year term. At this time, we have seven board members:
President – Saul Henteleff
President Emeritus – Yude Henteleff
Treasurer – Gord Elvers
Secretary – Bryan Bjerring
Officer – Bruce Donaldson
Officer – Ian Keenan
Officer – Corrine Caron
Officer – Marilyn Latta

I would like to thank the HPF board of directors for its wisdom and guidance on the many issues that we faced this year. I would also like to thank the community of South St Mary’s Road particularly residents of The Enclave, The Waterfront and Van Hull Estates for their wonderful support of Henteleff Park. Having worked with these folks very closely over the past few months I can say they are fantastic people and that we are here together.

Finally, Henteleff Park Foundation wishes to acknowledge that Henteleff Park is on Treaty One Territory and that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Thank you, Merci and Meegwetch!
Saul Henteleff, President
Henteleff Park Foundation 

Group Tours & Community Outreach

Since the Interpretive Centre’s opening in August 2016, Yude Henteleff, President Emeritus of the HPF Board has hosted and led several group tours of the HPF Interpretive Centre and the Park as a whole. Shown here is a tour in September with a group from Creative Retirement.

If any group wishes to hear more from Yude or book a guided tour of the Interpretive Centre and Park, please email him directly at y.henteleff@gmail.comto arrange a convenient time.

Welcome Board Members

Henteleff Park Foundation is very happy to announce the addition of the following folks on our Board of Directors.

• Corrine Caron
• Bryan Bjerring
• Ian Keenan
• Marilyn Latta

At the same time, we are sad to see Markus Chambers leave the board as he recently was elected as City Councillor for the new St. Norbert-Seine River ward. Congratulations Markus!

Site Planning Committee Report

Thanks to Marilyn Latta for submitting a thorough Site Planning Committee report for 2018 with updates on the summer staff, tree planting, maintenance, volunteers and so much more. To read the report in its entirety, click here.

Donations Needed

We appreciate all the financial and other assistance provided to HPF by all three levels of Government. But that falls considerably short of what HPF requires to maintain and improve Henteleff Park as set out in its mandate and we need your financial support to do so. That mandate is to maintain and improve itself as a passive park – a place of beauty, quietude and reflection. HPF is a non-profit registered Charity with the Canada Revenue agency and all donors will be provided with a tax-deductible receipt for their donation.

Please make your cheques payable to “Henteleff Park Foundation”
Henteleff Park Foundation
748 Borebank Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3N 1G4