Assiniboine Park – Safe Spaces for All

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy is committed to ensuring the environments and experiences within our space make all feel welcome, safe, and respected.

We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusivity that embraces diversity in all its forms, growing a workforce that reflects the wonderfully diverse community we serve, and nurturing a sense of community within our Park that makes all feel welcome, accepted and comfortable to be themselves.

To facilitate this, we have identified acceptable behavioural standards that apply to all Park users working in, visiting, or participating in any event or program, at Assiniboine Park, Assiniboine Park Zoo, The Leaf, or any other Park attraction or green space.

BEHAVIOURAL CODE OF CONDUCT

• All Park users share responsibility for ensuring and maintaining a safe and healthy environment that is free from harassment, violence, and discrimination and are expected to treat others with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• Unsafe, discriminatory, or unlawful actions towards other visitors, staff, volunteers, plants, animals, or Park property will not be tolerated.
• All Park users are expected to behave in accordance with applicable local, provincial, and federal laws and by-laws including, but not limited to, the Criminal Code of Canada, provincial public health orders, and local and provincial traffic laws.
• Feeding wildlife is prohibited and restricted under provincial wildlife regulations and City of Winnipeg by-laws. Feeding wildlife can lead to disruption of their natural diet, spread of diseases such as avian influenza, overpopulation, aggressive behaviour, and damage to gardens and greenspace.
• Public consumption of alcohol is not allowed, except where permitted under license (e.g. restaurants, licensed patios or beer gardens). Public consumption of cannabis is prohibited.
• Excessive noise is not permitted, as per the City of Winnipeg’s Neighbourhood Liveability By-Law. Events held in the Park may require a noise permit if you plan to play music through a speaker or have amplified sound at your event.
• Profane, offensive, or inflammatory language directed to staff, volunteers or other visitors is not acceptable. This includes language on signage, clothing, or other personal items.
• This code of conduct extends to the Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s social media profiles. Comments containing spam, profanity, promotion, personal attacks, irrelevant or inaccurate information will be removed.

LIMITATIONS

• The Assiniboine Park Conservancy reserves the right to restrict access to and usage of amenities and spaces within the Park during special events (e.g. Canada Day). All entertainment, performers, and activations at such events must be approved, coordinated, and overseen by Conservancy staff.
• The Assiniboine Park Conservancy reserves the right to restrict or decline commercial or promotional activity on Park property. This includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized business operations, food and retail sales, food sampling of any kind, and events in publicly accessible spaces that are promotional or sales-oriented in nature.
• The Assiniboine Park Conservancy has a responsibility to maintain safe and healthy environments for all Park users and reserves the right to restrict or decline events or activities in the Park for any reason, including its belief that such events or activities may have a negative effect on the safety and wellbeing of other Park users (including staff and volunteers), the experience of other Park users, or the credibility and/or reputation of the Conservancy.

When necessary, we will take progressive steps to address negative behaviour and/or unauthorized activity. In such situations, our approach is first to inform, to de-escalate and minimize conflict, and to work toward a solution that prioritizes the safety of visitors and the integrity of the Park experience. Depending on the circumstances, APC staff or Security may also take additional actions, including:

• Verbal warning
• Verbal and/or written suspension of access
• Notification to proper authorities (e.g. Winnipeg Police Service, Winnipeg Fire & Paramedic Service, City of Winnipeg bylaw enforcement officers, Provincial authorities).