Blazing the river trail, one metre at a time

The Forks

Now in its second year of operation, the Trail Together campaign at The Forks is calling on the community to give back to a memorable part of the Winnipeg winter season.

The Nestaweya River Trail is considered one of the city’s most beloved winter attractions. In a good year, it can be up to six kilometres long, connecting neighbourhoods across the Red and Assiniboine rivers. It offers two routes to choose from — the long skating rink that’s always talked about, and a parallel trail for walking, running and biking along the frozen ice.

The Forks is the major hub for trail-users, but the Nestaweya River Trail can also be accessed from many riverside neighbourhoods near the city’s core.

The Trail Together campaign asks those interested to pay $50 to essentially ‘adopt’ a metre of the trail, either in their own names or in honour of someone else. Names are displayed online in a list format, as though you’re counting the metres one-by-one. Those so inclined can adopt more than one metre or a purchase a larger sponsorship.

Donated funds help with maintenance and upkeep of the trail.

In its inaugural edition, the campaign raised approximately $54,000 which The Forks’ communications and marketing manager Blair Malazdrewich calls a “pretty significant” end result.

“The biggest thing, I think, is that the role of community in Trail Together and (the) passion from Winnipeggers really fuels the trail each year,” he said. “The Forks builds the trail while Winnipeggers bring it to life through sports, arts, events, and everyday winter joy. And adopting a metre is a simple, meaningful way for residents to support a beloved tradition and ensure winter at The Forks remains vibrant and accessible.”

Last season, the Nestaweya River Trail opened on New Year’s Eve and, while it was too early at press time to tell when this year’s opening date will be, Malazdrewich said the 2025-26 season is already looking good. Winners of the annual warming hut design competition will once again be station along the river, adding to the experience of taking in the trail.

“It’s just a really different way of viewing the city that maybe you wouldn’t get to experience because, unless you’re travelling on these rivers in the summertime, you won’t get a chance to see what your city looks like from that angle,” Malazdrewich said, explaining some of the allure of enjoying Winnipeg’s rivers in the winter. “So it’s just a new perspective of the city you already know.”

At press time, ice testing had begun, the first step in the process of determining when conditions will be safe enough for people to begin enjoying the trails.

“It takes a team of at least 12 out there daily, facing the elements, testing the ice, preparing the services, and attempting to build a safe winter trail whenever possible,” Malazdrewich said. “Rain or shine, freeze or flow, the Trail Together campaign continues because the work continues.”

To adopt a metre of the trail, visit theforks.com/trailtogether

To learn about corporate sponsorships, check out theforks.com/trailtogether#corporate-giving