Living on nature's edge

When you’re living on the edge of nature, it’s like a breath of fresh air amid the hustle and bustle of urban life.

You can breathe easy as you enjoy the great outdoors within Winnipeg’s city limits — and in some of these idyllic environments, you might even forget that you’re in the city at all.

As new residents in the flourishing Tuxedo Point area, husband-and-wife duo Ron and Rhonda feel like they’ve discovered the best of both worlds.

"It’s absolutely fantastic. We’re close to shopping, yet I’ve got trails that take me through a couple of the absolute gems in Winnipeg, one of them being FortWhyte and another one being Assiniboine Forest. You’ve got everything right here, just a one-minute walk away," Ron says.

"If you want to go for a little bit longer walk or bike ride, you’re not that far from the zoo and Assiniboine Park too."

 Nestled in nature along McCreary Road, FortWhyte Alive offers ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the world of wilderness and wildlife. The 640-acre urban oasis offers year-round outdoor recreation activities such as sailing and paddling in the warmer months or snowshoeing and skating in the snowy season.

With seven kilometers of trails, it’s an ideal environment for hiking, cycling or simply strolling through the tranquil setting. While you’re there, a must-see attraction is the natural open prairie that is home to North America’s only urban bison herd.

 For those who prefer a guided experience, FortWhyte Alive offers plenty of programs and tours that allow participants to connect with nature 364 days a year.

Located nearby at the corner of Chalfont Road and Grant Avenue, Assiniboine Forest allows you to indulge in the outdoor environment at one of Canada’s largest urban nature parks. The self-guided Sagimay Trail loops through the forest and meadow to the picturesque Eve Werier Memorial Pond. Woodchip paths connect with the paved Sagimay Trail, where you can come face to face with many species of birds and wildlife.

 From there, an asphalt pathway continues towards Assiniboine Park, where outdoor opportunities are endless. Families can enjoy the unparalleled atmosphere of Nature’s Playground and the Assiniboine Park Zoo, as well as free entertainment in the summer at Lyric Theatre. The park remains a long-standing attraction for all-season activity ranging from skating and tobogganing to sunbathing and summer strolls.

For Ron and Rhonda, they’re strong believers in taking advantage of everything the area has to offer.

"Once we got here, we realized we’re located in a nice little hidden gem. Living here, you notice the seasons. You notice the leaves turning. You see the buds coming out. You see the birds coming back," Ron says.

"We even go out when it’s minus 40. What we love about Manitoba is that it can be cold but sunny. If you dress for it, you’re going to survive."

Since he now owns a condo at Oxbow of Tuxedo Point, Ron no longer spends his outdoor time on arduous chores such as cutting grass or shoveling snow. Instead, he finds he has more room in his schedule to savor his surroundings.

"We make a concerted effort to actually get outside. Living where we are, it’s all right here. If I cross the road, I’m walking towards the bison compound at the FortWhyte. We’ve even gone to a couple of events at FortWhyte, including an astronomy dinner," he says.

 "Then I walk maybe a block and I’m in the Assiniboine Forest. You’ve got all this opportunity around you. Having those things right on your doorstep means you avail yourself of the opportunity to go see them."

And day by day, his appreciation for the area continues to blossom. "When you come here, you’ve got everything at your fingertips," he says. "Every day, it’s a little bit more pleasing than the day before."

For anyone who is considering moving to the area, Ron offers words of encouragement based on his own upbeat experience.

"If you like nature and you’re willing to open your mind, take a look at it. It’s a great, great location," he says.

"It’s central to the city. You’re not far from downtown, Polo Park, Kenaston or the university — and yet you have nature right here. To me, it’s a great compromise. It works for us and we love it."