| Executive Summary The �Bois des Esprits� Park Plan is a proposal to develop the pristine Bois des Esprits forest area located south of John Bruce Road and west of the Seine River, and the surrounding areas into an interpretive canoeing and hiking corridor. This proposed park situated along the Seine River would tie into a larger system that would lead all the way into downtown Winnipeg by means of canoe and pedestrian trails. This proposed park would become a valuable asset to the citizens and visitors of the City of Winnipeg. Following are Opportunities, Issues and Recommendations for the study as well as Highlights of the Design Components of the Bois des Esprits park plan. These are described in greater detail in the body of this report. 1. Opportunities 1.1 Preserve one of the largest remnant forests in the city of Winnipeg as a Nature Park. The Bois des Esprits Forest is a pristine grade �A� habitat complete with river bottom forest species, upland forest species and oxbows unique to the City of Winnipeg. 1.2 Connect and provide access to historic elements along the Seine River Corridor. The most significant of these being the Riel Grist Mill found on the historic Riel settlement lot 50. 1.3 Acquire the Seine River frontage of Historic Lot 50. This lot, located between St. Anne�s Rd. and the Seine River, is presently for sale by Sutton Realty. Acquisition of the land would ensure access for the community at large to the Riel Mill site and to the Seine River Corridor. 1.4 Develop Pedestrian Corridors. Tie into proposed pathways such as the Trans Canada Trail and the Bishop Grandin Trail. Clean up and provide access for canoeing on the Seine River, which is currently being canoed. 2. Issues: 2.1 The Forest is presently at risk of being consumed by surrounding development. The developers of the land including and surrounding the Bois des Esprits forest are currently in the process of laying out a residential subdivision. The land is being developed by a partnership between Ladco developers and the Province of Manitoba. The City of Winnipeg�s policy is to purchase the waterway requirement along the Seine River (the area between the river and upland forest) to protect the flood plain. It is all felt that there is willingness from all parties to preserve this forest and the timing for its purchase is critical. The success of this project is dependent on securing the Bois des Esprits forest. 2.2 The proposed Southglen Bridge will disturb the Grade �A� habitat of the Bois des Esprits forest. It is a requirement that all subdivisions have two entries. The developers of the land are therefore planning a bridge over the Seine River a few hundred metres from the future Warde Avenue Extension. This proximity of the two bridges is unprecedented anywhere else in the City of Winnipeg. The proposed Southglen Bridge is redundant, and will destroy Grade �A� habitat. These plans include moving a portion of the Seine River in an area that has already experienced riverbank failure. 3. Recommendations: The study recognizes that the Bois des Esprits park plan will proceed in several phases and concludes that acquisition of the land is crucial. This acquisition will allow development of trails and public access to historic and natural features to stimulate desired activity. The Interpretive Centre and overnight accommodations would then follow. 3.1 Purchase the forested area known as Bois des Esprits. 3.2 Purchase the frontage on historic lot 50. 3.3 Develop one low impact and environmentally appropriate Bridge over the Seine River at Warde Avenue 3.4 Develop a pedestrian trail system and canoe docks throughout the park. 3.5 Develop the historic and natural areas particularly the Riel Grist Mill for low impact interpretation. 3.6 Create an Interpretive Visitor Centre on Lot 50, which is outside ecologically sensitive areas. 4. Highlights of design components The general approach of the design is to help direct in a controlled and sensitive manner visitation of this fragile ecosystem. All built elements would be carefully located outside sensitive areas. When these areas cannot be avoided (e.g. Warde avenue Bridge) precautions would be taken to insure elements are low impact and environmentally sensitive. 4.1 Interpretive Visitor Centre and Themed Inn Includes: interpretive/visitor area, coffee shop and bakery, maps and reference material, classrooms, gift shop, bike, cross-country ski, skate and canoe rental shop, festival tents, skating rink, washrooms, outdoor staging area, parking and entry signage. 4.2 The Riel Mill Interpretive Site and Interpretive Nodes Includes: shell structure, sound garden, interpretive panels, plaques and/or markers 4.3 Pathway System Includes: asphalt pathways outside ecologically sensitive areas and nature pathways 4.4 Land Bridge over Wildlife Corridor 4.5 Picnic Areas 4.6 Canoe-In Camping 4.7 Seasonal Docks for Canoeing 4.8 Canoe Launching Areas 4.9 St. Anne�s Bois des Esprits Park Entrance Includes: directional signage, canoe launch. footbridge, picnic tables and parking |
| Prepared by Gaboury Prefontaine Perry, 2001 |