Group plans for busy spring

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This article was published 21/03/2022 (1646 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WASAGAMING — Friends of Riding Mountain National Park will celebrate two milestones this year at the park as the non-profit organization turns 35 and continues to organize programming for children and adults in a building that is now 95 years old.

George Hartlen, chief administrative officer for the charitable organization, helps oversee their volunteer board of directors, which assists in organizing a plethora of programs and events throughout the year for park attendees and kids in school.

Hartlen and his wife Valerie said they have not slowed down, keeping people active in the park right through last November. After photos with Santa Claus and Christmas break events wrapped up, Hartlen said it has been a joy to have a lot of involvement from Manitoba schools for outdoor based winter programming.

Throughout January and February, their team of volunteers focus on teaching kids how to snowshoe, how to track animals in the wilderness, and how to make a fire using flint and steel wool in what could be a survival situation.

“For anybody going into the backcountry, they’ll be a little bit more prepared. It’s just really about the snow and how to experience winter through the forest,” Hartlen said.

Now going into the spring months at the park, he said Friends of Riding Mountain is excited to host a series of presentations in April in conjunction with the park’s visitor centre.

On April 9, guests at the park can attend a presentation on monarch butterflies and learn about the role and importance they play in the environment. Additionally, Hartlen said they have people from Discover Owls joining guests at the park on April 23 to teach visitors about owls while enjoying the chance to see a live owl with the presentation.

In between those presentations, Hartlen and his wife have begun planning the park’s annual weekend of Easter activities. Taking place on April 16, the organization will be hosting a hotdog fundraiser, a scavenger hunt for kids scattered around the townsite and Easter crafts at their park headquarters.

“It’s a nice way to kick off the spring and always a good way for people to get outside and have a barbecue-cooked meal,” Hartlen said.

Later in the season, the organization is bringing back their marsh marbles program, which brings school groups to the wetlands in the park to understand the ecosystem and “critter dip,” in May and June. He said they are planning to ramp up their GPS and geocaching programs for kids, while teaching them the importance of wildflowers and trees in the park.

Furthermore, Friends of Riding Mountain is working on adding explorer kits for rent to teach people how to identify animal tracks, birds and enjoy a series of scavenger hunts where people can enjoy exploration at their own pace, according to Hartlen.

For May long weekend, the organization is partnering with another non-profit, the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve, to host a spring market showcasing local artisans and producers in the province.

For an event like the spring market, he said the organization has a solid base of 30 to 40 volunteers who help to ensure everything runs smoothly.

With restrictions easing up in the province, Hartlen said it has been a pleasure to work with the Wasagaming Local Chamber of Commerce as their vice-president to start bringing back events in July and August that existed prior to the pandemic.

“That first summer in 2020 was a no go for almost everything,” Hartlen said.

“It’s definitely making things a lot easier.”

Located at 154 Columbine St. in the park, his organization marks another historic milestone in 2022, as they continue to work out of a building that was once formerly a summer residence and headquarters for the Riding Mountain Forest Reserve.

Built in 1927, the now heritage status log building predates the park, as Riding Mountain National Park was formally established in 1933. It was a temporary summer residence for the first park superintendent, James Smart. After relocating to its present location that year, Friends of Riding Mountain have called it home since 2010.

It’s not just non-profits in the park that are excited for springtime to arrive. Michelle Brown, general manager of the Lakehouse hotel and restaurant, said they have stayed busy throughout the winter and are excited to welcome new visitors to the park.

On Saturday afternoon, the restaurant patio was full of customers outside as residents in western Manitoba enjoyed the warmer seasonal conditions.

She said their nearby property, the Arrowhead, has been undergoing renovations on their 33 rooms and will be ready this year for guests looking to enjoy Clear Lake.

After working at the hotel for two and a half years, she was reminded why the park has become a special place for her and her family.

“I’ve lived here for over 30 years. I chose to live here, and I’ve raised my kids here,” Brown said.

“We love everything about it.”

Going into July and August, Hartlen said he is looking forward to organizing a grander Canada Day display of events and their large book sale taking place on August long weekend.

“There’s always something to do at Riding Mountain National Park,” Hartlen said.

» jbernacki@brandonsun.com

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