For over a century, people have explored Assiniboine Park and left here with happy memories of watching animals at the Zoo, having family picnics in the Park’s greenspaces, and more recently, exploring and connecting with the fascinating world of plants at The Leaf. Unfortunately, many in our community are unable to experience this special place. Thanks to the generosity of donors, this need is addressed through the ParkShare Today program.
ParkShare provides accessible and memorable Park and Zoo experiences for children, youth, and seniors who would otherwise not be able to attend due to financial barriers. The ParkShare program can cover the cost of admission, programming, and transportation for participating groups.
Our education team tailors the program to the attendees, providing a tour, interactive hands-on learning opportunities and special games or activities appropriate for each age group. The impact that these programs have on the children, youth, and seniors who experience them is inspiring.
“Funding for this program allowed my students to access place-based learning in a place they likely could never afford to go otherwise,” said a grade three teacher visiting The Leaf with her students. “The program allowed students who are unable to access these places within their family structure to learn in a fun and engaging way. This is especially important for those living in poverty, or those with differing learning needs.”
In addition to the school groups that benefit from this program, daycares and senior groups also participate. It is well known that spending time in nature and learning new things is beneficial for cognitive and social well-being.
“ParkShare was a great replacement for the Day programs that he was so badly missing due to COVID. Coming to the Zoo allowed him to learn new things which helped him remember,” noted a care partner for a senior program attendee at the Zoo.
It’s important to us at Assiniboine Park that this is a park for everyone. Thanks to the generous support of donors, students can come face to face with a polar bear for the first time and seniors can learn something new while sitting in a tropical oasis in the middle of a Manitoba winter.
“For many of the students it was their first visit to the Zoo,” said a grade four teacher after a ParkShare Zoo visit. “We would not have been able to do this field trip without funding from your donors and it truly was such an amazing trip. So many of my students said this was the best field trip they have ever been on.”
We are grateful to the donors who make ParkShare experiences possible and would like to highlight the tremendous generosity of Canada Life. Long-time supporters of Assiniboine Park, their latest gift will help to provide even more ParkShare experiences for groups in our community.
“We’re happy to continue our relationship with Assiniboine Park and are proud to support these special experiences for members of our community through the ParkShare program,” said Katerina Bletnitsky, Senior Program Manager, Community Relations, Canada Life. “Combined with the completion of the major redevelopment of the Park and Zoo marked by the opening of The Leaf this is a great opportunity for more children, youth, and seniors to learn from and explore all that Assiniboine Park has to offer.”
Every year, the demand for ParkShare experiences grows, and the kind support of donors helps us accommodate as many children, youth, and seniors as possible.
Want to be involved? You can help the ParkShare Program serve more of our community by clicking here.
Interested in applying for ParkShare? Details are available on our website.
