Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park: A refreshed space for the community

Funding provided through Canada Community-Building Fund

The grand opening of Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park was a proud moment for partners and community members who worked together to bring new life to a well-loved neighbourhood space. For years, the park had served as a gathering place, but aging features and limited accessibility made it harder for residents to enjoy comfortably and with ease. A shared vision guided the work, creating a park that is safer and more welcoming for people of all ages. That vision turned challenge into opportunity, transforming the park into a space that meets the community's evolving needs.  

A community vision takes shape

This transformation was made possible through collaboration between partners and community members, who built the redesign around shared priorities and local input. The result balances recreation with improvements that support safety, comfort, and accessibility, creating a space that feels both familiar and new.

At the heart of the renewal is a new community water fountain with a bottle fill station, supported by the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF). The fountain is a modern and accessible amenity that provides clean drinking water for residents and visitors. Placed near well-used spaces, the fountain serves as a welcoming focal point. Designed with inclusivity in mind, the fountain's simple controls and multiple heights ensure that everyone can stay hydrated and feel welcome.

A renewed space for connection and pride

Additional improvements have enhanced every part of the park. The basketball courts have been renewed with fresh surfaces for games, practices, and community programs to promote healthy activity. New lighting improves visibility and safety, encouraging people to stay longer and feel comfortable using the park after dark. Updated landscaping adds shade, beauty, and accessibility, with clear paths and open areas that invite people to move, meet, and relax.

The park's renewal also carries cultural and personal significance. Named in honour of community advocate Leslie Spillett-Giizhigooweyaabikwe, or “Painted Sky Woman” in Anishinaabemowin, it celebrates her lifelong work in Indigenous advocacy and neighbourhood care. The name reflects the community's respect for her leadership and the deep roots of Indigenous language and identity in the area. A land blessing ceremony held in 2023 brought together local residents, Elders, and partners to honour this connection before development began.

Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park reflects how smart investment and strong partnerships can transform public spaces. The park supports active living, strengthens community ties, and builds neighbourhood pride. The revitalized space honours Leslie Spillett's legacy while creating new memories for residents. With every visit, the community celebrates a park renewed through care, collaboration, and cultural pride.

Quick facts

• Across Canada, the federal government renewed the CCBF and is investing $26.7 billion over the next ten years (2024-2034) to support core infrastructure projects.
• The CCBF invests in 19 different project categories in over 3,700 communities across the country, such as public transit, water infrastructure, solid waste management, highways, roads, and bridges.

For more information

• Partners and community members celebrate grand opening of Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park - City of Winnipeg
• Canada Community-Building Fund in Manitoba