Minnedosa Tribune
SUN BATHERS
DARRELL NESBITT/MINNEDOSA TRIBUNE
A small flock of sparrows took advantage of the warm spring sunrays, as they sat on a shrub featuring lights left over from the festive season, near an elderly persons housing unit in Minnedosa last week. It’s not only farmers wishing for an extended period of warm temperatures to see the snow disappear and the fields dry up, but also gardeners, who both have the itch to till the soil.
Provincial Park reservations
The province has confirmed that the 2026 provincial park reservation season will begin on April 13. The Parks Reservation Service will use a five-day staggered rollout, with the majority of Westman and Parkland campgrounds opening for bookings on April 16 at 7:00 a.m.
This Thursday window is the
most critical date for local campers. It includes popular regional destinations such as Asessippi, Rivers, and Spruce Woods (Kiche Manitou), alongside Duck Mountain, William Lake, and Turtle Mountain.
NEW RULES AND FEATURES FOR 2026
The province is introducing a $10 cancellation fee this year for any reservation cancelled four or
more days before a scheduled arrival. The new charge aims to reduce speculative bookings that often leave campgrounds underutilized during peak weekends of the summer. Additionally, a new email notification tool has been added to the reservation website. Account holders can now set up to five alerts to be notified immediately if a campsite becomes available due to a cancellation for a desig-
nated timeframe.
For those targeting Rivers Provincial Park, the campground on Lake Wahtopanah remains a high-demand location due to its full-service sites and proximity to the community. Similarly, Asessippi remains a top draw for its scenic valley views and access to the Lake of the Prairies.
However, campers at Spruce Woods should prepare for some
limitations. While the province recently invested over $2 million into the park for 70 new electrical pedestals and trail repairs, the Bay 10 family and group sites at Kiche Manitou will remain offline during the initial April booking window. These sites are currently closed while ongoing electrical upgrades are completed.
RACHEAL FLINTOFT
Minnedosa Tribune