Photo Credit: Winnipeg Free Press Update: I am very disappointed that Public Service could not come up with a way to reduce the complexity involved in allowing residents to plant trees on public property. See details in their May 6, 2022 Requirements for Community...

My office is receiving an incredibly high number of calls related to dogs running loose with no leashes, and owners not picking up pooch poos! We love our furry animals, but we have to be responsible owners and respectful of other people. There are more and more...

We have over 248 hectares of parks and open spaces just in the Waverley West ward! That is equivalent to 500 Canadian football fields!! Some are formalized parks, with park identifications signs, and have amenities such as playstructure, firepits, and shade structures...

Development and Waterfront Greenspace I am not supportive of selling waterfront lands. SEE: Lukes' presentation to Mayor and his Executive Policy Committee We can have both development and waterfront greenspace if done properly – which would require time and planning...

Please know I am acutely aware of the importance of protecting green space and will do all I can to ensure greenspace is protected, and made available for public use. For years prior to being elected, and now in this role – I’ve worked to protect greenspace – here are...

https://youtu.be/KNlHapVUKhc   We have over 248 hectares of parks and open spaces just in the Waverley West ward! That is equivalent to 500 Canadian football fields!! Some are formalized parks, with park identifications signs, and have amenities such as...

We have many parks and open  greenspaces in the Waverley West ward. Each year Councillors meet with the Parks department and review upgrades that need to occur. In the Waverley West ward, the majority of parks are maintained by the City Parks department, but, some are...

Look around and you will see that all the storm water retention ponds in our neighbourhoods are full – probably the fullest some of them have ever been! PLEASE take care and keep your distance from the water as it will remain high for some time now that the grounds...

It was brought to my attention that Private Service Providers (PSP's) are using City facilities and I've asked for a report from the department. On Sept 11th I moved the Motion: Private Service Providers Using City of Winnipeg Recreation Facilities BE IT RESOLVED that...

If you are noticing an increase in populations of geese in Waverley West this year – you are correct. According to City Staff who focus on our urban geese: See Data on Waverley West geese and ponds. According to Kristin Tuchscherer, Naturalist - Education Coordinator...

Over the next few months, Animal Services will be focusing on patroling in Waverley West. By-law officers will be frequencing the parks and walkways in the ward ensuring pet owners are complying with the Responsible Pet Ownership By-law. Pet owners must remove their...

The City’s had to change their weed control program in 2015 due to new Provincial legislation (Non-Essential Pesticide Use Regulation under the Environment Act) which restricts traditional pesticide use on lawns. This means that the City CAN NO LONGER use certain...

I recently met with the Parks department for our annual review of the parks, playground and greenspaces in the Waverley West ward, and to set plan for upcoming park improvements. IF there are improvements to parks that you don’t see listed here but would like to...

In Southwest Winnipeg, we know there is a recreation deficit and lack of maintenance for our parks and greenspaces due to rapid growth, and a lack of proper planning for new developments. The City of Winnipeg needs to hear from you! I ENCOURAGE you to attend the June...

(Photo Credit: Jason Unrau, Blacklock's Reporter) The City of Winnipeg is at risk of losing all of its ash trees due to Emerald Ash Borer. Emerald Ash Borer cannot be eradicated once it is detected.  There are approximately 101,000 ash trees on boulevards and in parks...

The City of Winnipeg is developing an Off-Leash Dog Areas Master Plan to respond to growing interest and demand for off-leash dog areas in Winnipeg. The Master Plan will address the needs of all park users and will develop a vision and implementation strategy for...

The City of Winnipeg is undergoing a City Wide review of recreation and parks infrastructure. I encourage you to fill out the survey and attend upcoming open houses. PLEASE NOTE: South West Winnipeg residents, when you are filling out the survey and are asked where...

The aim of the Athletic Field Review is to ensure City athletic fields are well maintained, fairly allocated and used to the fullest extent possible. The recommendations that result from this review will guide how the City will manage and provide access to athletic...

The City of Winnipeg operates 10 off-leash dog areas within the City's Parks system (see map below). In recent years, use of off-leash dog areas has significantly increased, and as a result, a need has been identified to increase the number of these areas. In 2012, a...

On October 14, 2017, we celebrated the unveiling of a new pedestrian bridge in King's Park. The bridge replacements are one of several capital improvements totaling about $2 million for King’s Park which is a regional park. Other improvements include recent riverbank...

Prior to being elected as City Councillor for the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward, I was very pleased to secure funding and lead the development of the Water on the Land resource guide. Water on the Land contributes to a wider understanding of the concept of...

2017 CONSTRUCTION UPDATES Many of these parks projects have been in the consultation and planning process, and now are actually being constructed in 2017! There is much detail that goes into park improvements, and I want to extend much gratitude to the resident groups...

Please join me on Saturday, June 10 as we unveil TWO new, unique benches on the Bishop Grandin Greenway! I’m VERY pleased to be providing funding support for these benches in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward.  Through a  partnership with the Winnipeg Trails...

As we move into May, it's time to start thinking about summer in Winnipeg.  Whether it's enjoying our City's parks, concerts and festivals, or having a picnic in your own back yard,  it's all part of being outdoors, and making those important connections with nature,...

Forest Tent Caterpillar Control Program The City's Insect Control Branch will begin its forest tent caterpillar control program on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Tree spraying will be carried out in Insect Management Areas 43 and 51. Throughout...

The City of Winnipeg Public Service is currently transitioning from spring clean up to parks maintenance activities.  The mowing of boulevards and parks has recently started, and I would like to share some information with you on the City's mowing, weed control and...

Please join me at an Open House on April 4 to discuss upgrades to the “Fields for Fido” dog park located within King’s Park: DATE:  Tuesday, April 4, 2017 TIME:  6:30 to 8:15 p.m. PLACE:  Pembina Trail Library, 2474 Pembina Highway After a series of community meetings...

When I was knocking on doors during the 2014 election campaign in the areas of Grandmont and Ducharme, many people said they’d like to see a variety of park upgrades occur.   Grandmont Park is a beautiful spot with a small forest, lake and play structures that connect...

NOVEMBER 2017 UPDATE:   The Urban Forestry Branch has had to allocate the majority of its in-house resources towards the management of Dutch Elm Disease and safety related tree matters, which unfortunately has had an effect on the Schubert removal/replacement program...

The City is currently reviewing how athletic fields are allocated and maintained and is looking for Winnipeggers’ feedback. The aim is to ensure City athletic fields are well maintained, fairly shared and used to the fullest extent possible and public input is an...

Below is a great image that shows the City-owned land along the La Salle River. This is designated park space and at some point will hopefully become a long linear connected park with pathways leading to La Barrière Park.         Twitter: ...

The City's Parks department has been reorganizing roles, responsibilities and communication protocol with its staff over the past 5 months. During this process, three key projects in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward have been negatively impacted. The unfortunate...

As many residents in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward know, I conducted a series of open houses in 2015 to gather feedback on what the community would like to see in the way of upgrades to King’s Park. At that time, the City Parks department engaged a consultant to...

Winnipeg’s parks and greenspaces are an essential component of the urban fabric that encourages and promotes healthy lifestyles, cleaner environments, civic pride and urban beautification. Parks improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our communities...

I’m pleased to be supporting the St. Norbert Business Improvement Zone with Community Incentive Grant funding to continue upgrading ‘Main Street St. Norbert’.  Currently, Pembina Highway in St. Norbert is experiencing major water main construction, but as soon as...

Each summer, my office receives many enquiries from residents with questions about the growth of aquatic vegetation and algae on retention ponds in their neighbourhood. Stormwater retention ponds are used to manage stormwater.   A primary benefit is that they can...

24 hour notice:  Adult nuisance mosquito fogging to begin To date, the Insect Control Branch (ICB) has used a combination of larviciding and residual treatments to control mosquito populations. These measures alone are no longer sufficient to control the current adult...

Winnipeg's Insect Management Areas (IMAs) Winnipeg's neighborhoods have been grouped into 51 Insect Management Areas. Just type in your address and find out what insect management area you reside in. Mosquito Control Program The Insect Control Branch continues an...

Please join historians, community members and friends for the official naming and opening of Parc Charette Park on June 14. This scenic park sits on the banks of a curve in the Red River in St. Norbert, and provides a spectacular all-encompassing view of the Red...

I’m very pleased to support the expansion of the extremely popular skateboard park at 205 Killarney Avenue. Prior to being elected, I worked to help improve the site between Dalhousie and Acadia Schools, securing funding to upgrade the tot park with a new net play...

As many residents in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward know, a $1.5 million riverbank erosion protection project was initiated in King's Park in 2015.  This year, the project will continue with reforestation and pathway restoration.  More details are available at...

Please join myself and dignitaries for ice-cream and fun on International Trails Day!  International Trails Day is an annual celebration of trails to promote trail development, the use of trails and the healthy lifestyle they encourage. It is celebrated each year on...

In my opinion, the maintenance issues in Waverley West are the ‘canary in the coal mine’ for what is to come with respect to maintenance of greenspace in ALL new developments, including communities like Amber Trails and Sage Creek. The BIG PICTURE is that the City...

In mid-May this year, the City of Winnipeg Public Service transitioned from their city-wide spring clean up to parks maintenance activities. Sometimes the transition is smooth, and sometimes, depending on weather conditions, there's a few challenges.  This year, we...

Thank you to CBC Information Radio-Manitoba for providing informative, in-depth coverage on this evolving issue.   On May 19, Dr. Jino Distasio of the University of Winnipeg  (Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation & Director, Institute of Urban...

I’d like to thank Marla, Secretary of the Richmond West Neighbourhood Association (RWNA), for providing the very accurate notes (shown below) from the meeting which I hosted on April 26, 2016.  I would like to elaborate on a  few additional points: 2016 PARK...

In 2015, I conducted a series of open houses in May, June and October to gather feedback on what the community would like to see in the way of upgrades to King’s Park.  The City Parks department engaged a consultant to work through the feedback that was provided, and...

The City of Winnipeg’s Urban Forestry Branch is currently conducting an inventory of Ash trees on private property to augment the City’s public tree inventory and to continue its preparation for the arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle. The Emerald Ash Borer is a...

I'm very pleased with the enhancements taking place in our community parks in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward.  These important greenspaces are very popular in our communities!  My thanks to Richard Kamchen for covering this story!   King’s Park waterfall is...

Winnipeg has about 7,000 Schubert chokecherry trees in City parks and on City boulevards. Unfortunately, many of them are infected with black knot, a fungal disease affecting species of cherry and plum trees. This disease is distributed across North America and is...

Winnipeggers love their dogs!  At present, there are over 112,000 licensed dogs in our City! Information on the locations and regulations at off-leash parks is available on the City's website. The City's Animal Services Agency provides animal control measures under...

Celebrated each year on April 22, Earth Day is the largest environmental event in the world!   It’s a great time to take a look at what’s happening from a sustainability perspective close to home!   South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward In our community, there are a...

At the April 4th meeting of the Riel Community Committee, I was very pleased to support an important project for the redevelopment of the Ile de Cercle Island Park in St. Norbert.  My thanks to The Sou'Wester for their coverage of this story, and also to Group 'Action...

The list of parks initiatives is funded through City of Winnipeg budget items and also through Parks funding directly allocated to Ward Councillors: $500,000 La Barriere Park washroom upgrade Details of the much needed washroom upgrade will be announced soon! The City...

Two meetings in one!!  On Thursday, April 21, the Dakota Community Centre will host their Annual General Meeting at 7 p.m. Immediately after the AGM, at approx. 7:45 p.m., Councillor Brian Mayes (St. Vital Ward) and I will host a Community Consultation regarding...

The South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward has three very active community centres which have just released their spring, 2016 newsletters!  These informative newsletters contain updates on community centre events, expansions, proposed expansions, spring registrations,...

The South Winnipeg Community Centre is set to drop the puck for Winnipeg’s first all-female outdoor hockey tournament. The Winnipeg Storm Winter Classic runs Jan. 27 to 31 at the Waverley site of the community centre at 1885 Chancellor Drive. More than 20 female...

The City of Winnipeg is currently undertaking Phase II of an erosion protection project in King’s Park. This work will occur from January to March, 2016, with planting and re-vegetation work to be completed by mid-July, 2016. During this time, there will be a number...

A Winnipeg woman is concerned a planned bypass will run over her business. Darlene Dolinski has operated a horse farm in rural St. Norbert for 20 years. She worries her business and way of life is in jeopardy because of the $400 million highway project. "It will take...

I’ve been gathering some great feedback from community members with respect to King’s Park (May 5 and June 17, 2015: SEE HERE)  Because King's Park is defined as a regional park (one that serves a great number of people), it is important we reach out to residents so...

After much consultation with St. Norbert community residents, I’m very pleased to bring forward a motion for the official naming of a new park in the community of St. Norbert. Parc Charette Park sits on the banks of a curve in the Red River in St. Norbert. The park is...

The community is invited to attend a public information session to view the project plans for the new multi-use fieldhouse at the Dakota Community Centre. Thursday, October 15, 2015 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Jonathan Toews Sportsplex Gymnasium 1188 Dakota Street The...

The City of Winnipeg is encouraging Winnipeggers to give fall leaf and yard waste a royal sendoff. Help prepare for winter by raking and collecting leaves from your yard, adjacent boulevards and roadways. Then take advantage of the City’s curbside leaf and yard waste...

On May 5 and June 17, 2015, I hosted consultations with the community to gather your ideas on improving King's Park. We’ve compiled the feedback from those meetings, and included additional comments which our office has received through residents' emails and phone...

If the water in your local off-leash park pond looks iffy, the city is putting the onus on you to keep your dog safe. Winnipeg conducts random water quality testing of municipal retention ponds, but doesn’t test marshy ponds such as the one at King’s Park, says...

A long-standing heritage home and important piece of St. Norbert history has been revived.  The Bohémier House in the St. Norbert Provincial Heritage Park reopened to the public for the first time in six years on July 11. The date also marked the 30th anniversary of...

A park in one of Winnipeg's youngest neighbourhoods will be named after the world's youngest Nobel Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai. "This is good news," said Dost Mughal, vice-president of the Pakistan Canada Business Association of Manitoba.  The three-acre park in...

On Thursday, July 23, 2015, I had the honour of celebrating the naming of Malala Park with the Pakistani community at an event in the beautiful Pakistan Cultural Centre in Winnipeg.   Malala Park is located in the South Winnipeg–St. Norbert at the south end of...

Upgrades, big and small, are being considered for King’s and Kirkbridge parks.   Five community consultations have been held to determine local priorities. "I really wanted to hear what people were looking for and what they wanted," says acting mayor Janice Lukes,...

Fogging will begin on Thursday, June 11, 2015, between 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.  To date, the Insect Control Branch (ICB) has used a combination of larviciding and residual treatments to control mosquito populations. These measures alone are no longer sufficient to...

The City of Winnipeg has a website page with very current and updated information on BUGS and Insect Control activities.  Use the left hand navigation menu, as it contains very informative information which is often updated weekly. With regard to mosquito control, it...

On May 25, 2015,  I held a community town hall in partnership with Councillor Mayes (St. Vital ward) to discuss Black Knot Fungus which is affecting many south Winnipeg trees.  We had the City Forester attend and provide a presentation on Winnipeg’s urban forest, as...

Two city councillors are trying to engage the public in the fight against a deadly fungus that disfigures and eventually kills trees.   St. Vital Councillor Brian Mayes and St. Norbert Councillor Janice Lukes held a townhall meeting Monday evening to discuss the...

Councillors Brian Mayes and Janice Lukes will be hosting a Town Hall on Monday, May 25, 2015 regarding Black Knot, a fungal disease which affects many species of trees. Everyone is welcome to attend this open house and learn about the City of Winnipeg's action plan on...

Mark Tuesday, May 5 on your calendar for a very important community event! This is your opportunity to talk to the experts who plan your streets and parks, as well as share your thoughts and ideas on how we can improve our community! Improving Transportation &...

Many of my constituents in the South Winnipeg-St Norbert Ward either work at or have attended Dakota Collegiate.  I’m proud to be working together with Councillor Brian Mayes to help improve Dakota Collegiate AND the community’s athletic field! On April 10, 2015 at...

Changes Coming to King's Park:  Just over three months on the job and I am finding it to be a very challenging and rewarding experience.  The St. Norbert ward is home to 53,444 residents living in 14 unique communities.   READ MORE:  The Sou'Wester - February...