The best running trails around Macdonald

The Monkey Trails circle Assiniboine Park and are informal dirt trails open to mountain biking, winter fat biking, hiking, trail running, and snowshoeing. They offer nice views of the Assiniboine River, circle the zoo, and leave the park heading east following the river.

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy Inc. is a non-profit charitable organization that was established in 2008. It was created to oversee the development of the 162 hectare Assiniboine Park. This building was built almost 100 years ago in 1930 in Tudor Revival architecture with Swiss chalet elements and a 28-meter central square tower rising above the park. Today, it is used as a multilevel public cultural space with free art galleries, a museum dedicated to Winnie-the-Poo and the grounds have a rectangular lily pond, and sculptures for the public to enjoy.

The Riley Family Duck Pond was designed with an organic shape in mind, with small islands, a pedestrian bridge, perennial plantings, and is a home to waterfowl. In the warmer months, the central water fountain, a floating bio-island ecosystem, and entries for small canoeing make it a charming home for ducks, geese, and turtles. In colder months and winter, the pond is transformed into a large, outdoor skating rink with festive overhead light displays. Pucks and hockey sticks are not allowed on the ice to ensure a safe, family-friendly free skate time.

A collection of Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft lines the grounds of Air Force Heritage Park, offering a close look at several decades of Canadian military aviation. Highlights include the CF-104 Starfighter, CF-101 Voodoo, CF-100 Canuck, CT-133 Silver Star, and a Bell Kiowa helicopter. Many of the aircraft are displayed outdoors on static exhibit, making this a worthwhile stop for aviation enthusiasts and anyone interested in Canada's air force history.

There are a few nice paved trails to explore in the park, and the north side has some fairy houses and a cenotaph (empty burial memorial) to veterans of the first world war. You cross the creek via a pretty pedestrian bridge as it winds into the Assiniboine River.

This 1,070-kilometer river flows across the Canadian prairies before joining the Red River in Winnipeg. The river was named in honour of the Assiniboine First Nations people who have lived along its route for millennia.

Crescent Drive Park is a beautiful 25-hectare riverside green space, with mature trees, quiet trails, and open picnic areas. There is a year-round pavilion with a fireplace and patio, a 9-hole golf course at its centre, a playground, and a network of walking paths with access to the Red River, making it a popular spot for relaxed strolls, family gatherings, and year-round outdoor enjoyment.

Sturgeon Creek is a beautiful, winding tributary of the Assiniboine River that flows through Winnipeg’s St. James area. Lined with trees, grasses, and restored wetlands, it supports a wide variety of fish, birds, and other urban wildlife. The creek’s natural corridor also provides a scenic backdrop for trails and parks along its course through the city.