“A hidden gem”

Rosser

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This article was published 12/07/2023 (869 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Just west of the Oak Point Highway, in the RM of Rosser, lies 49 hectares of prime parkland.

Little Mountain Park, a City-owned park, stands on the ground formerly occupied by the village of Mount Royal and was once home to the city’s first quarry. Now, it provides nature-lovers and dog owners a place to stretch their legs and enjoy the great outdoors.

“This is one of the prettiest parks in the city,” said Lloyd Johnson, chair of the Little Mountain Park Conservancy Group. “It’s such a beautiful area here. I love the way it lets a dog be a dog out here.”

While the miles of walking trail, ponds, fields, and seemingly endless supply of saskatoon berries provides a sanctuary on the northwest edge of the city, Little Mountain is really an oasis, surrounded by industry as CentrePort expands operations in the area.

“This is such a hidden gem that we have, which has been surrounded by development,” Johnson said. “I have nothing against development at all. But just be aware that we’re here.”

Originally founded to oppose plans to run a major road through the park, the Little Mountain Park Conservancy Group continues to advocate for designating the park as an ecologically sensitive area; protecting the park from further development; pushing for an expansion of the park to the south; and preserving the history of the area, which served as spot of refuge during the historic Red River flood of 1826, which is estimated to have been 40 per cent larger than the flood of 1997. The park clubhouse, which includes a recently renovated accessible washroom, is built on the foundation of the old Mount Royal post-office, and is home to many historical photos and displays.

In April 2021, Johnson made a proposal to city council to purchase privately owned, undeveloped land immediately south of the park, effectively creating a “green corridor” from the park’s edge on Farmer Road south through the Players Course golf club. Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) championed the proposal, but the public service reported that the city didn’t have the money to pursue it.

Undeterred, Johnson and the conservancy group are raising money and trying to keep the issue top-of-mind for all three levels of government, in case the land comes up for sale.

“I’m just trying to get everybody talking about it, because if all of a sudden you see a For Sale sign up, it’s too late,” Johnson said. “Everybody we’ve talked to has been supportive of our efforts, very interested. But we want that conversation started in case the opportunity comes.”

The group has also been pushing for traffic safety improvements at the intersection of Oak Point Highway (Route 90) and Farmer Road/Jefferson Avenue.

“Somebody is going to get killed in that intersection with the increase in traffic,” Johnson said.

The City of Winnipeg and the RM of Rosser have agreed to share costs of installing lights at the intersection, with installation expected later this year.

Along with plenty of native flora — including lady’s slipper orchids, old man’s beard, hazelnuts and more — the park is home to turtles, birds (including owls and eagles), fox, deer, squirrels, rabbits, and even skunk and porcupine, from time to time. Coyotes, Johnson added, are a growing concern.

“When you hear three or four calling to each other, you know there’s more,” Johnson said. “Where’d they all come from? They’ve always been here. Now we’re here too. We’re in their space.”

Visit www.lmpcg.ca for more information.