Walker Park - St. Clare Street in Birtle
Walker Park is a heritage park amongst some of the community's liveliest character homes. The park was developed at the site of a historic stone stairway that leads down to the river's edge, where a fresh water spring bubbles from the ground. This spring was once the reason pioneers chose this location to stop for what may have been an overnight stay, but became a lifetime.
Walker Park is a great place to admire the towering elm and spruce trees that arch over St. Clare St - some of the oldest trees in the community. Gardens were planted with heritage perennials and fruiting shrubs - in honor of the value they would have had to the early settlers. The boulders on site are but a few of the ones dug up when the beds were created. The public are welcome to pick the fruit in this garden, while picnic tables invite you to stop and rest a while.
Birtle Memory Garden - Corner of 7th and Main Street Birtle
This garden surrounds the old Town Hall Bell which once hung in the tower of the Town Hall at this location. On a lower tier of the property is the Friendship Garden.
This corner is one of many green spaces created and maintained by Birtle in Bloom volunteers. The Memory Garden was created in phases in 2000 and 2001. It is planted with roses, lilies, daylilies and peonies below rosybloom crab apple trees. The garden is planted in memory of our loved ones. If there is someone you wish to have remembered on a plaque in the Memory Garden, please speak to a Birtle in Bloom committee member.
Brian Salmon Memorial Pocket Park - Main Street Birtle
The Pocket Garden is the perfect place to rest, linger and smell the roses, or whatever might be in bloom. Flowering shrubs, bulbs, perennials and colorful foliage ensure an attractive display all season long. A dry stream bed drains the runoff from bordering buildings.
This Pocket Park was created by Birtle in Bloom in 2002. The wrought iron fence and gate was painted in 2007 by Birtle Collegiate students. In 2010 this garden was dedicated to the memory of Brian Salmon. For many years, Brian was the foreman of the Town of Birtle and he took great pride in the appearance of the community. After work hours and during retirement, Brian would care for over 20 private yards.
Town Square - Corner of 7th and Main Street Birtle
This small park is the perfect place for community gatherings, or just to stop and visit with friends on Main Street. It was created to beautify the property after the removal of an old building. The horses were added in recognition of Birtle as the "Heavy Horse Capital."
Birtle Riverside Park
This park is the pride of the community! It's home to a welcoming picnic area with open grass, shady trees, fire pits and a cook shack. Also within the park is the campground, fish ladder and the Birdtail River. The Birtle Beach and public washrooms are accessible from the campground and picnic area by foot.
Map of Birtle Riverside Park & Campground
History
Tommy Copeland, the son of an English gardener, came to Canada with his parents in 1888. He would one day donate acres of land to the Town of Birtle to create Birtle Riverside Park - the jewel of the town.
Tommy Copeland had a vision of what the park could become. He oversaw the installation of the bridges and the tennis courts. While sitting on Council in 1931, Mr. Copeland initiated the rebuilding of the dam and spent countless hours in the 30's and 40's beautifying and developing the park.
The Birtle Eye Witness is quoted as such: "Much thought and work was spent to make what was once a dense, swampy jungle into a park of restful, well shaded beauty [that is] hard to equal for extent and comfort."
In 1950, in appreciation for his work, the Parks Association presented Mr. Copeland with an electric kettle and a pound of tea.
In recent years, the Birtle Lions Club, Valley Recreation and Prairie View Municipality have worked to keep the Birtle Riverside Park flourishing and well maintained.
Residents of Prairie View Municipality and surrounding locales are fortunate that Tommy Copeland had the vision and dedication to create the park, and we're thankful to everyone who works to ensure that we can continue to enjoy everything it has to offer!
Miniota Memory Garden
The Miniota Memory Garden is located on North Railway Avenue in Miniota. In 2003, the LUD of Miniota started the project with the assistance of municipal grants. The project was completed with funds from the Home Town Grant. The garden features a gazebo with memorial plaques of our loved ones, and provides a picturesque green space in the community.
