It would be a shame to miss out on outdoor fun for several months of the year just because it’s a little chilly outside, and with some of the city’s winter programming being free, you don’t have to.
The city’s slate of free programming is designed to get you out of the house, have some fun and maybe even learn a couple new skills.
Embracing the winter in Selkirk
Kyla Ray, the city’s Manager of Cultural and Recreational Programs, says if you dress for the season, winter is fun.
“Sometimes we’re not very good at experiencing winter, so providing opportunities with free programming helps us thrive in the winter months when it’s cold and dark. We’re creating opportunities for people to make winter an outdoor season as well,” Ray said.
“Being outside has so many benefits, and one of the objectives in our community strategic plan is offering the best recreational opportunities for our citizens. Free programming helps reduce financial barriers to recreation, ensuring people and families of all ages can participate regardless of cost.”
Recreation that fits your schedule
A wide variety of activities give options for getting outside, and with some of them being self-directed, you can do them at your leisure.
There are eight free outdoor programs running throughout the winter, including the Frost Force, Exploration Bins, Equipment Lending Program and the Toboggan Borrowing Bin.
Fun & friendship
Jenifer Muir and her two children, Haven and Finlay, moved to Selkirk in 2023 and have been taking full advantage of the recreation opportunities provided by the city. She says the free programming has been something they appreciated and would recommend to others. They were new to the community, and they made great friends.
“When we moved to Selkirk, we didn’t know anyone in the area and we were about to face a new home, new town, new school and the challenge of finding daycare. With my children having to meet new friends and social interactions I took upon searching for activities for them to engage in and become familiar with the area and make friends and connections,” Muir said.
“Being outside has so many benefits, and one of the objectives in our community strategic plan is offering the best recreational opportunities for our citizens. Free programming helps reduce financial barriers to recreation, ensuring people and families of all ages can participate regardless of cost.”
Kyla Ray, Manager of Cultural and Recreational Programs
“These free programs are a great way for families to engage their children without the financial burden in a time when increasing expenses are a struggle for many families. We have met some great friends at these events that we have made friendships with.”
The Frost Force takes place the third Sunday of the month starting with a snow sculpture workshop at the Kin Centre in Water Tower Park on February 15. On March 15, there’s a guided snowshoe hike on the Selkirk Park Dyke Trail. Snowshoes will be available to borrow, but again, if you have your own, please bring them.
Frost Force runs from 1pm to 3pm and activities are open to all ages, but kids under 12 will need to come with a parent or guardian. There is no cost for the activities, but you will need to register in advance online at MySelkirk.ca/FrostForce.
Free Outdoor Recreation Exploration Bins
The city’s Outdoor Recreation Exploration Bins were made available this past fall and now that it’s winter, give the public access to recreational equipment and supplies designed to help you explore and enjoy the great outdoors in the winter months.
There are two bins, one located in Selkirk Park next to picnic shelter 3 and one at Water Tower Park on the north wall of the Kin Centre building. The bins have snow toys like pails, snowball makers, shovels, snow bricks and dinosaur footprint makers. There’re also scavenger hunts, string measuring activities, a sensory walk guide and a logbook, pencils and a notebook.
“Right now, we’re focusing on snow, so there’s snowball making tools, pails to make little stacks and there’s winter scavenger hunts, so kids will be listening to different sounds and things to see in winter,” said Courtney Bangert-Murray, Selkirk’s Program Coordinator.
“They can use the string to measure diameters of trees and other things. It gets kids out exploring our great parks.”
To access the bins, you’ll need to scan the QR code on the bin, fill out the short online request form and submit it and an access code will be made available to you on-screen and sent to your email. When you’re done, return all the items to the bin and lock it so the next person can enjoy the equipment.
More information can be found at MySelkirk.ca/ExplorationBins.
A community staple
The toboggan borrowing bin in Little Lake Park has proven to be popular. The hill has been a favourite for years and now the bin with sleds and sliders allows anyone in the park the chance to slide even if your toboggan is at home or you don’t have one.
In its third year, the toboggan lending bin is a hit.
“The uptake on this has been good, it’s been well received,” Ray said.
The city checks the bin regularly to make sure there are toboggans there for the taking, and it’s also suggested that if you have an old sled you’re not using, consider donating it to the program by simply leaving it in the bin.
“If you need one, use one, if you want to get rid of one, leave it behind for someone else to use,” Ray said.
“It’s a good system.”
More information can be found at MySelkirk.ca/TobogganinginSelkirk.
Other free programming offered includes the Youth Drop-In Zone, After School Program, Equipment Lending Program, and Selkirk Loves to Read. For more information on these programs, go to MySelkirk.ca/CityPrograms.
Free programming is made possible with the assistance of various grants, including Healthy Together Now and Interlake Suicide Prevention Committee (IERHA), and From the Ground Up (Province of Manitoba).