About 2 blocks from my house is a man-made lake with a 4km trail around it known as the
Blue Trail. Needless to say it makes it extremely easy to get away for a quick run or walk or sit by the lake on one of the many benches around it when the mood strikes. It even hosts a couple of neat little islands and viewpoints that create some hidden areas of tranquility in an otherwise extremely well used area.
I'm convinced that the rest of Regina agrees with me that it is a great place to be because there doesn't ever seem to be a time that there is no one else around. This at times makes for some interesting dodging of fellow pedestrians, rollerbladers, cyclists and geese. This photo is looking back towards Albert Street where the dam lies under the bridge keeping the water in the lake and my house from flooding. Yeay dam!
This guy is hanging out by himself just behind the dam along some trails bordering the creek even closer to where I live. It's a bit more solitary back there and that is a very good thing sometimes.
Apparently the lake was created way back in 1883 by damming the creek and the name was derived from the word Oscana which means "pile of bones". The Cree would place the bison bones along the creek when working with the hides and drying the meat. It was most recently dredged and deepened in 2004. I'm sure glad I missed that construction and got here this year fully able to enjoy it.
The grounds include the legislative buildings and are nicely maintained and a number of picnic table area's with cement BBQ's are scattered around. All you do is bring your charcoal, food and friends and family and enjoy the day. There are always big groups using the tables or sitting on the grass on the weekends. Of course its pretty hard not to notice the resident geese;
The
Wascana Center actually extends way past this 4km loop that I've been using as my running route. In fact it is one of the largest urban green spaces in North America at 2300 acres. The water within the loop I described is used for water sports such as dragon boat regatta's, kayaking, canoeing and sail boating. Beyond this body further along the creek are protected marsh ecosystem lands for birds and other living things.
There are so many things to be explored within this area so this is only meant to be an introduction to this amazing green space within Regina. As the summer progresses I'm sure I'll be adding more about what is in and around the area as I explore and enjoy it myself.
I'm convinced that the rest of Regina agrees with me that it is a great place to be because there doesn't ever seem to be a time that there is no one else around. This at times makes for some interesting dodging of fellow pedestrians, rollerbladers, cyclists and geese. This photo is looking back towards Albert Street where the dam lies under the bridge keeping the water in the lake and my house from flooding. Yeay dam!
This guy is hanging out by himself just behind the dam along some trails bordering the creek even closer to where I live. It's a bit more solitary back there and that is a very good thing sometimes.
Apparently the lake was created way back in 1883 by damming the creek and the name was derived from the word Oscana which means "pile of bones". The Cree would place the bison bones along the creek when working with the hides and drying the meat. It was most recently dredged and deepened in 2004. I'm sure glad I missed that construction and got here this year fully able to enjoy it.
The grounds include the legislative buildings and are nicely maintained and a number of picnic table area's with cement BBQ's are scattered around. All you do is bring your charcoal, food and friends and family and enjoy the day. There are always big groups using the tables or sitting on the grass on the weekends. Of course its pretty hard not to notice the resident geese;
The Wascana Center actually extends way past this 4km loop that I've been using as my running route. In fact it is one of the largest urban green spaces in North America at 2300 acres. The water within the loop I described is used for water sports such as dragon boat regatta's, kayaking, canoeing and sail boating. Beyond this body further along the creek are protected marsh ecosystem lands for birds and other living things.
There are so many things to be explored within this area so this is only meant to be an introduction to this amazing green space within Regina. As the summer progresses I'm sure I'll be adding more about what is in and around the area as I explore and enjoy it myself.
I'm feeling super sentimental seeing my old childhood stomping grounds in this post (I moved away over a decade ago). I spent many years walking, cycling and paddling in that park.
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the blog, I'm sad to see it discontinued. I hope you're enjoying many more adventures since your last entry!
Cheers,
PV