Settlers, Rails, and Trails Heritage Park

“Settlers, Rails & Trails Inc.” is home to Argyle and Balmoral’s first and only rural park. Before 2019, this 12-acre property was simply a farmer’s open field and volunteers have spent the last four years developing this heritage park from scratch!

With a central focus on local, provincial, and national history, the community has diversified to include a broader community than most museums in Manitoba can offer, and draws in over 900 visits per year. It provides recreational opportunities (walking and biking trails, winter tobogganing hills, open areas for heritage games), environmental areas (prairie ecosystem, lowland sinkhole, community gardens) and an agricultural educational zone (living cropland and livestock areas).

For the last 32 years, people from the community of Argyle, Balmoral, and beyond have been meeting at the space for tours, presentations, concerts, and community events. They are partnered with various other community groups, such as the Interlake School Division, local Royal Canadian Legions, the Association of Manitoba Museums, Prime Meridian Trail Association, and regional sporting, curling, and skating clubs.

Now that the space’s historical buildings are in place and restored, they require paint, stain, and a historically appropriate planting of foliage.

“It is a loving connection to our heritage organization’s space that fosters volunteers to give their time to administer, fundraise, act as tour guides, and lend their time and skills to see our community space continue to flourish.”