Stanley Park, which is nestled near the base of the Pembina Escarpment in the Rural Municipality of Stanley, is expected to be a hub of activity this coming summer.

Although the park is starting to be a destination for a number of winter activities like snowshoeing and tobogganing, summer is when the majority of visitors take advantage of the spacious park, and its amenities.

Stanley Park usually sees well over 15,000 visitors in a year.

"There's lots of things they've got up there," said Stanley Reeve Morris Olafson. "Frisbee Golf, we've got baseball diamonds, we're hoping to get up a soccer pitch along the way...You can go and have a picnic, and we do provide some washrooms."

Two new additional park shelters and an additional washroom will be constructed at the park in 2022.

Some primitive camping sites for tents and campers are also available at the park, and are frequently utilized, according to Olafson.

Olafson noted they also open up a toboggan run this year, a first for Stanley Park. "What I saw, the toboggan run was being used, which is great."

Three parking lots were also created to keep visitor vehicles out of the park in order to keep some separation from vehicles and pedestrians. "We changed the parking around so people were not parking throughout the park in the bush, in amongst the trees. We saw a major safety issue, we've got three or four play structures for the kids."

Although they do want vehicles to keep out of the park, Olafson adds, there is of course an expectation that folks with mobility issues, or for delivery of food or supplies for large events may do so. However, they still do ask that visitors to the park use the parking lots established.

To date, the RM has had some really positive feedback on this change, as people can see the safety concern that was there previously.

For large group bookings at the park – Any group booking expecting more than 150 people, the RM of Stanley requires a representative from the group to be responsible for the group function, to submit a reservation agreement and to meet ahead of time with the park attendant to discuss parking, cleanup, any tent set ups, etc. The RM has stated this is to ensure everything is well planned so all patrons can enjoy their time at the beautiful park.

Another convenient change has been implemented at the park for this year. Up until now, park users were responsible to take their garbage with them when leaving the park. The RM is now establishing a waste container site at the park, along with a recycling drop off location.

Visitors are welcome at Stanley Park anytime, and there is no admission to enter.

Shelter rentals and camping spots can all be reserved by contacting the RM Admin Office at 325-4101.