Discussions

Why haven't they been groomed? We were out for a walk yesterday and the one East/West to get to the parking lot was up to our waists and impassible. It didn't get like this overnight and as a tourist center, this is disgusting. They have always been groomed in the past and this is the main reason we support them with a family membership. What has changed? We will be rethinking our membership next year.

Could it be rewilding of land?

It is a paved walking path.

Best to call Ducks Unlimited and ask them. Maybe too much snow to clear.

Maybe they're out of money to clear them. I wonder if it's them or the city that's responsible?

I wondered that too because most of the paths around them have been cleared. If it is Ducks that is responsible, that makes it even worse because we can understand how the city is busy clearing the roads. Ducks can't use the same excuse. If they are out of money, they will have even more trouble collecting in the future if they aren't maintaining to the standard they have in previous years.

If they are short of funds how do you expect them to clear them?  
 
Phone and ask.  
 
And if short of money donate or see if you can find someone to volunteer their time to clear areas.

Donate or shovel

We do donate every year because we use the paths a lot in the winter and they have always been cleared in the past. We won't be donating next year!

Dear Ebrandon thread readers and contributors to this post. Please be assured that we do our utmost to keep this area available year round at no charge. We do rely on the City of Brandon parks department for snow removal from a lot of our trails. They do a good job, however, this winter we've had more snow and blowing snow than the past few years for sure. They clear the trails once a week. We contract our snow removal for trails and the parking lots, etc. near the Discovery Centre. This has nothing to do with Ducks Unlimited Canada. They are a tenant of the Riverbank Discovery Centre.  
 
Should you have any other questions or concerns, please send me an email to james@riverbank.mb.ca I reply to all messages.  
 
On a side note - we do rent snowshoes! $10/hour or $25 for 3-5 hours. Hours of operation are: Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5pm. Weekends and holidays 12pm-5pm until May long weekend.  
 
Thank you.  
 
Warmest regards,  
 
James Montgomery, General Manager, Brandon Riverbank Inc. / Brandon Tourism  
2047292141  
 
Edited by James Montgomery , 2022-02-02 13:30:49

We just returned from walking the cleared paths at the Discovery centre. Very good job , Thanks.

Thanks for your reply James. We enjoy the Riverbank so much summer and winter and always get a family membership to support you. Snowshoes wouldn't have been an option with dogs in tow but we could have used some mountain climbing equipment! We are happy to hear they have been cleared and we will continue to donate in the future.

I am glad to hear it’s clear but also your process.  
 
I imagine the challenges of Covid-19 has impacted not only yourselves but city of Brandon and contract companies with labour shortages.

No donation - then shovel