Looking for a good long walk on one of Winnipeg’s first spring-like days? This Saturday, join tour leaders Gail Perry and David Firman for a unique walk from our house to YWG, Winnipeg’s international airport. It’s our contribution to Jane’s Walk 2022.
This is a fun but long walk so be sure to read the following not-so-fine print:
Date and time
Sat, 7 May 2022
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT
You can register for this free walking tour on Eventbrite but, if it’s a last minute decision to join in, just show up at noon on Saturday.
The walk starts at 521 Raglan Road, in the Wolseley neighbourhood. This is our home. We will gather in the front yard. There are major bus stops at Raglan Road and Valour Road serving all Portage Avenue bus routes within 290 metres or a 4 minute walk.
This is a fun but long walk so be sure to read the following not-so-fine print:
It’s a crazy idea, something you’re not supposed to do. But walking to YWG, whether for pleasure or to catch a plane, is entirely possible. Gail and David have done it for the adventure of exploring places that are normally off the pedestrian road map as well as several trips with our carry-on backpacks, to fly to Europe.
Want to try it? Then join us on our 3 hour round trip, starting in the Wolseley neighbourhood and winding our way through residential, commercial and industrial areas on our way to Winnipeg’s airport. And then return by way of Omand’s Creek as it takes us by strip malls, big box stores—all those place you usually drive to—as well as surprising stretches of restored prairie.
Along the way, we’ll explore architectural gems, such as St. James Church, find hidden vest-pocket parks, investigate austere industrial parks, consider Winnipeg’s aviation heritage and reflect on airports lost and new. But, most importantly, we will take ownership of places in our city where no pedestrian is meant to tread. And, who knows? Maybe your next trip to Hawaii will start with a walk to the airport.
This will be a longish walk of about 12 kilometres, so make sure you have good walking shoes. There is an option to walk just half the distance to the airport and take a bus or taxi back from there. The route is all on sidewalks, paved paths or compacted gravel trails. It’s a good idea to bring a small backpack, some water and a raincoat.
Please bring a mask as we will be entering the airport.
We will follow sylvan paths and roads along the Assiniboine River, then cross Portage Avenue into the King Edward neighbourhood and walk along its quiet residential streets. This suddenly gives way stark commercial/indusrial development as we head north on Berry Street, west on Sargent Avenue, north on Flight Road, past the site of the former airport and into the arrivals lounge of the current airport. Leaving the airport, we will walk east on Wellington Avenue through the St. James Industrial Park to Empress Street. Here we will connect with the Omand’s Creek Greenway, through a mix of prairie preserve and commercial development. The Greenway path leads us directly back to the starting point of our walk in Wolseley.
No kidding – “… surprising stretches of restored prairie…” That is interesting. Don’t answer me now. You are busy.
In the heart of the city, with development all around. That must be the Omand’s Creek Greenway? I googled the Park and the Greenway. I see a Bluestem Nature Park, number three on their index. Bluestem is a type of prairie grass, a reddish coloured grass, if I recall. Interesting.
Way to go, you two!! Have a grand time on Saturday!!
Gloria