Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Hecla Island welcome sign
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 Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park
Location in Manitoba
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| Location | Manitoba, Canada |
| Nearest town | Riverton, Manitoba |
| Area | 1,084 km2 (419 sq mi) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Governing body | Government of Manitoba |
Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park is a special natural area in Manitoba, Canada. It includes Hecla Island, a mainland area called Grindstone, Black Island, and other small islands. These islands are all found in Lake Winnipeg, which is one of the biggest freshwater lakes in the world! The park is right next to the town of Riverton in Manitoba.
Contents
Park History: How it Started
The story of Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park began in 1969. That's when the Government of Manitoba made Hecla Island a provincial park. Later, in 1997, Grindstone Provincial Park was added. Together, they formed the Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park we know today. This huge park covers about 1,084 square kilometers (that's about 418 square miles!). It's considered a Class V protected area, which means it's managed to protect its landscapes and wildlife.
Hecla Island: An Icelandic Home
Hecla Island was first settled by people from Iceland in 1876. They called it Mikley, which means "the magnificent island." These settlers built homes and tried to make a living by fishing and farming. However, life was tough with cold winters, illnesses, and not much money from fishing or farming. The only school on the island eventually closed in 1970.
Nature's Beauty: Forests, Cliffs, and Beaches
The park has many different kinds of natural areas. You can find thick coniferous (evergreen) and mixed forests. There are also cool limestone cliffs and soft silica sand beaches. If you explore further, you'll discover marshes, bogs, fens (wetlands), and wet meadows. The park's main goal is to protect these unique parts of Manitoba's natural landscape. It also offers lots of fun things to do outdoors.
Fun Things to Do on Hecla Island
Today, Hecla Island is a popular spot for visitors. It has a campground where you can stay overnight. There's also a resort hotel, now called Lakeview Hecla Resort, which was bought by new owners in 2013. The resort offers beautiful sandy beaches and a full-service marina for boats. You can also walk the Lighthouse Trail or play a round of golf on the 18-hole course. The golf course and marina are run by private companies, separate from the provincial park.
Hecla Village: A Step Back in Time
Hecla Village is a historic place where you can learn about the island's past. It has several interesting spots:
- The Hecla Fish Station is a fishing museum and still operates as a commercial fishing spot.
- The Tomasson Boarding House shows what a boarding house was like long ago.
- The Community Hall hosts events.
- The Hecla School has a classroom set up like it was in the past and a center to teach you about the park.
- The Heritage House Museum is furnished like an Icelandic family home from the 1920s to 1940s.
- The General Store is open from May to September.
- The Ice House Museum displays old tools for carpentry and fishing.
- The Hecla Church holds services and music events in July and August.
- You can even stay at a bed & breakfast in a restored historic Icelandic home!
Grindstone: Cottages and Wildlife
Grindstone is a long piece of land, about the same size as Hecla Island. It's home to over 350 private cottages, a general store, and lovely sandy beaches. The people who live there celebrate "Annual Grindstone Days" in early August with fun family activities.
Amazing Animals of the Park
Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park is full of wildlife! You might spot animals like the black bear, moose, timber wolf, fox, and beaver. Birdwatchers can look for the majestic bald eagle, the graceful common loon, and the large American white pelican. You might also see tiny ruby-throated hummingbirds and many kinds of woodpeckers, hawks, and owls flying around.
See also
- List of protected areas of Manitoba
