Valley Life Recreation Hosts Grand Re-opening of Upgraded Squirrel Hills Trail Park
A long-time community asset in Minnedosa is getting a new lease on life thanks to funding provided by the Brandon Area Community Foundation, the Minnedosa Community Foundation, and numerous community partners and sponsors.
A grand opening on Saturday, July 12 brought the community together to celebrate this important milestone at the park area, which is located just off Highway 10, here:
The Squirrel Hills Trail Park, first developed more than 30 years ago, has evolved to become a popular all-season community recreation space and regional tourism asset, with more than 16km (about 10 miles) of trails currently available for use, including a 4km (2.5 mile) trail named for the Foundation that opened in 2021.
The park is managed by Valley Life Recreation (VLR), a charitable organization based in Minnedosa with a mandate to create and maintain trail systems in and around the community. https://valleyliferec.ca/about/
Recent upgrades to the Squirrel Hills trail system include an improved parking lot, wayfinding signage, trailhead facilities and all-season washrooms. Trails are designed for a broad range of seasonal and year ’round activity levels and uses – such as hiking, cross-country skiing and cycling. Central to the facility is a large pavilion space, a youth activity area and picnic tables.
The contributions from the Brandon Area Community Foundation and the Minnedosa & District Foundation ($72,000 in total from 2021 to date) primarily supported the costs to install an all-season accessible washroom facility at the new trailhead for the Squirrel Hills Trail Park. Each community foundation covered half of the project cost.
“These new funding commitments to the Squirrel Hills Trail Park build upon the 2021 funding commitments both community organizations made to help us achieve these significant improvements,” said VLR spokesperson Dave Ternier. “We (the Board of Valley Life Recreation) are grateful for this strong community foundation support.”
A complete list of community sponsors and supporters can be found on the Valley Life Recreation website, here.
The Brandon Area Community Foundation encourages funding applications for a variety of projects, and the Squirrel Hills Trail project is one of many examples the Foundation has supported.
The grant application portal for the 2025 funding period opens on August 5 and is online until September 22. Organizations interested in submitting an application can visit the website for application details and eligibility criteria, here: 2025 Community Grants Program
From modest beginnings in 1965, the Brandon Area Commiunity Foundation has provided more than $12 million in funding to a broad range of community organizations in Brandon and throughout western Manitoba. In a typical year, we deliver more than $1.2 million in funds to approximately 50 successful applicants in such varied sectors as healthcare, environmental protection, education and arts/culture.
Follow us on facebook, Instagram or Linkedin
Website: www.bacf.ca / Contact: Bob Cooney Executive Director, ed@bacf.ca
