Just an hour’s drive Southeast of Brandon sits what might just be the ‘comeback kid’ of Westman’s family day trip destinations.
Killarney Lake’s Erin Park area features a fine sand beach, splash pad with the extra pop of a tipping bucket that kids love, a playground with all the bells and whistles you could ask for, outdoor exercise equipment and more than its share of trees and covered space for a sheltered picnic on a hot summer day. Located just across the street is the Beach Hut restaurant, an ideal spot to grab a burger, a cool treat and take in a round of mini golf.
The lake has in recent years received attention for its challenges with blue-green algae, for which a series of aeration heads were installed in 2018 with the goal of addressing.
Betty Sawatzky, chair of the Killarney Lake Action Committee, says that the 2020 season has been brisk with local and visitor activity thus far with signs that the aeration upgrading is performing in line with its intent.
“Our Killarney beach continues to be full during the week and weekends with locals and visitors,” offered Sawatzky on Saturday. “It’s exciting for our community to see so many enjoy our lake. We are still a prairie lake and there are still signs of the blue green algae bloom after a hot spell, but at a minimum. We believe the aeration field is doing its job but it is still slow going and summer isn’t over yet!”
A local Facebook page maintained by the Killarney Lake Action Committee shares regular images and updates on lake status. An early July post noted the presence of a algal bloom, later updating of it dying out in the middle of the month.
The Province of Manitoba publishes beach condition ratings, with a report from July 22 & 23 assigning a “beach acceptable” rating (check link for most recently available information). Signage posted on-site cautions of an algae advisory and steps to take in the event blooms are noticed.
For a more realistic look at the site, the interactive panorama image below places you on the sand this past week with a chance to look around in 360 degrees by clicking/tapping and dragging within the image. Click on the round black icon within the image to jump to a second scene further into the park in the area of the exercise equipment and splash pad.
Click/tap within the image to have a look around. Click on the black circle icon within the image to jump to the next scene.
The wider Killarney area is also home to the Kerry Park Campground, further charming green space, the 18-hole Killarney Lakeside Golf Club and a wide assortment of businesses.
Killarney is accessible by taking Highway 10 South of Brandon and then Highway 3 East just past Boissevain. Other routes available as per your mapping service of choice.