Manitoba Parks hosted two open house sessions for Lemay Forest on March 19, 2026. The open house sessions provided an opportunity for community members and interested groups to share their perspectives and help guide the future establishment of Lemay Forest as a provincial park.
Input was gathered through surveys, discussions, and interactive panels. This initial engagement marked an important early step toward developing a provincial park proposal, which will continue to be shaped by future engagement and technical review before formal park designation.
Key Themes Heard at the Open House:
- Protection Comes First
- The forest’s high ecological value and cultural significance should be the primary consideration guiding all future decisions.
- Minimal Development
- Few new facilities
- Low-impact amenities only where clearly justified
- Respect for Indigenous and Cultural Values
- Recognition of Indigenous presence and ongoing use
- Protection of ceremonial, burial, and heritage sites
- Opportunities for respectful interpretation and learning
- Thoughtful Connectivity
- Some participants expressed interest in improved connections to nearby, city-owned riverbank lands and existing trail systems, provided these connections do not compromise the integrity of the forest.
Manitoba Parks thanks everyone who took the time to share their ideas and perspectives. Feedback from this engagement plays an important role in shaping the future of Lemay Forest as a provincial park.
