Greetings from the Board President
I am delighted to present our first newsletter of the year and I hope that you will find the information in it both compelling and practical. Henteleff Park has seen a tremendous increase in use over the past year; while that has presented some unique challenges it also has presented tremendous opportunities.
The outpouring of public support for the protection of public greenspace noted later in this newsletter (see: Greenspace Advocates Spoke and the City Listened), was for example, a real win not only for the Park Foundation but also the community it serves. The additional protections approved by Winnipeg City Council will ensure that Henteleff Park will continue to provide a natural green space for all to enjoy for years to come.
We are grateful for the kind support of visitors willing to share their views about Henteleff Park. Your feedback, summed up in two informational graphics in this issue, will significantly strengthen our chances of obtaining funding from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative (go to https://communityfoundations.ca/initiatives/chci/ for more information) to create a virtual arboretum.
The Foundation hopes that this project will enhance the experiences of those who want to learn more about the Park’s native plant species while limiting human impact on the natural surroundings. My favourite outcome of the survey were the responses to the question “What has Henteleff Park meant to you during the COVID-19 pandemic?” It is truly validating to see the many people who share our vision.
Finally, I am really proud of the contributions that our community, volunteers, and staff have made over the past year. My hope is that the Park will stand as a testament to the collective power of dedicated individuals who together strive to make their community spaces even better. If this effort sounds like something you would like to be part of, I invite you to get in touch with our volunteer coordinator, Terri Ashcroft, or to make a donation. Every action helps and we are so thankful for your support. See you at the Park!
Owen Clune
President, Henteleff Park Foundation
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE
Community Opinion Survey Results
The Henteleff Park Foundation recently applied for a grant with the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative which recognizes the importance of public spaces (both real and virtual) to support healthy physical and social activities, especially during COVID-19. To help determine which project we wanted to pursue, we conducted a community survey in April 2021 and here is synopsis of the results.
This tree graphic is a beautiful representation of the survey question:
“What has Henteleff Park meant to me during the pandemic”
Beautiful visitors!
Photo credit: Marilyn Latta
Foundation News
The Foundation’s AGM has been postponed to early October.Information on the exact date will be announced in early Fall.
We have six wonderful staff who have been working hard to preserve our park since the end of May. They are taking all necessary precautions as we continue through this pandemic journey. Thank you for respecting their space and allowing them to complete their tasks!
Our new volunteer program has had a promising start. Approximately 50 new volunteers have joined us. Much of the work can be done at a time and frequency chosen by the volunteer.Those who are experienced gardeners are “Prairie Pals”, weeding in the tall grass prairie under Site Supervisor Marilyn Latta’s direction. Most of the volunteers are removing weeds from trees and shrubs throughout the Park. You might see volunteers with specialized skills doing different tasks from time to time.All of the volunteer work is coordinated between Volunteer Coordinator Terri Ashcroft and the Site Management Committee. Please contact Terri rather than starting a specialized task on your own. Terri will contact people as different jobs arise throughout the summer.Interested in volunteering at Henteleff Park? Contact terri.ashcroft@henteleffpark.org
Advocates for protecting and expanding Winnipeg’s greenspace are rejoicing after City Council gave final approval to amended City planning documents, OurWinnipeg 2045 and Complete Communities 2.0 on June 24, 2021.The Henteleff Park Foundation added its voice to greenspace advocates OURSWinnipeg, SaveOurSeine and many others at a public hearing before the City’s Executive Policy Committee on May 13, 2021, asking Council for amendments that will preserve and protect public greenspace.The amended planning documents will serve to prohibit development on major city-owned green spaces, such as golf courses, forests and parks, including Henteleff Park, and will provide guidelines that should significantly reduce the risk that housing and other development proposals will threaten existing green space. Council also voted to “take steps” to add 1,000 acres of public park space to its reserves by 2045.Thank you to everyone who contacted the Foundation expressing support for Henteleff Park and to all of you who contacted Mayor Bowman and city councilors to voice your concern about the loss of one of our city’s most precious resources, our public green space. Your voices were heard!
Donations Needed
Henteleff Park Foundation’s mandate is to maintain and restore Henteleff Park as a passive park – a place of beauty, quietude, and reflection – a welcoming space for all wildlife and native plants as well as for human beings.
As we work to restore the Park, each year we apply for grants from government and from some corporations to enable us to purchase native species of trees and shrubs, pay salaries to summer staff, and maintain equipment. These grants are by no means assured. For this reason, we welcome and gratefully accept personal donations by cheque or through CanadaHelps.
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.”
1964 St. Mary’s Road
Winnipeg, MB R2N 4G8
Owen Clune, President
Corinne Caron, Vice-President
Sheila Pursey, Secretary
Marilyn Latta, Treasurer
Ian Keenan, Board Advisor
Terri Ashcroft, Volunteer Co-ordinator
Yude Henteleff, President Emeritus