Bishop Grandin Greenway Benefits

The Greenway will benefit south Winnipeg in many ways:

• Environmentally friendly transportation route
• Major recreation amenity for families
• Spine and trail system linking to multiple destinations
• Promoting health and physical activity in a safe venue
• Promoting youth and neighbourhood involvement and stewardship of local environment
• Enhancing property values and providing benefits to many near-by businesses
• Tourism opportunities
• Enhancing green space, wetlands and rivers
• Enhancing historic and cultural values of area
• Related programming will encourage greenway awareness and use, while being healthy, fun and environmentally progressive.

Green Spine of south Winnipeg

When complete, over 22 communities will connect into Bishop Grandin Greenway making it a key spine in south Winnipeg:

East of the Red River

West of the Red River

Active transportation choices promote personal and environmental health

Quality of life, environmental health, personal fitness, economic prosperity, and how communities can grow are all dependent on the transportation options available. Air quality is declining, childhood obesity is rising, communities are expanding, and businesses and individuals feel the frustration of daily traffic congestion.

Meeting a known demand

Cycling and walking are the healthiest, most efficient and cost-effective alternatives to driving. Getting more Manitobans to choose these active transportation options provides incredible environmental and personal health benefits at low cost to the public purse. Studies have shown that many people would cycle and walk more often if accessible, convenient and safe routes were available.

The 3+ km of pathway between the Seine River and St. Mary’s Ave is being used 24x7 in all seasons by pedestrians, cyclists and a people using a wide range of non-motorized transportation, wheelchairs, skateboards and inline skaters.

Climate change solution

Given the quality, connectivity and broad geographic coverage of Bishop Grandin Greenway and the demonstrated underlying demand for such facilities in south Winnipeg, the Greenway will spur a significant shift to active transportation for a wide range of long and short journeys. It is estimated that the Greenway will result in major decreases in greenhouse gas emissions.

Eco-education, community and native plant species gardens

Funding has been secured and plans are being developed to build an Eco-Education site and community gardens between St. Anne’s and St. Mary’s Ave. A native plant species garden is also being established to preserve endangered species.

Other benefits include:

• Reduced traffic congestion
• Improved safety
• User and public cost savings
• Improved image of active transportation as a viable personal transportation choice
• Improved image of greenways as a public amenity
• Tourism enhancement

The Greenway’s pathway is a key means to promoting active transportation in south Winnipeg and having people move within their communities by foot and by bike rather than in their cars.