What's in a name? "WinterPeg" activities prove climate-tuned behaviour is fun!

No one really knows where it started, but some years ago Winnipeg was given the nickname "WinterPeg". This was supposedly a negative comment on its notably low temperatures during the winter months, and its extended periods of snow. When Anders Swanson was looking for a name for some new, accessible and environmentally-friendly outdoor activities, he immediately chose WinterPeg -- turning a so-called negative into a positive!

Anders is Executive Director of Winnipeg Trails Organization, a non-profit organization with a goal of developing a sustainable city. They focus mainly on active transportation in Winnipeg.

WinterPeg is made up of a number of activities, including skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and cycling. These are "pop-up" events in which all people, including those with special needs, can borrow the appropriate kind of skis, snowshoes, sleds and more.

"We (at Winnipeg Trails) hadn't done anything specific for winter activities before," says Anders. "But we put out a press release, and in a single weekend, received skis, boots and other donations to our mobile ski library."

He says it was born out of necessity. In that first year of the pandemic (2020), the need for walking, cycling, and getting outdoors just took off in popularity.

"We were going into that fall with some uncertainty," he remembers. "None of the pools were open, there was a school bus strike. So at Winnipeg Trails, we were thinking of what we could do to expand trail access, and still have people be six feet away from each other. We wanted to be as close as possible to every neighborhood in Winnipeg - so people could walk there, get exercise, and start seeing other people again."

"The goals were mental health, respect and appreciation for winter here as well as the fact we have some beautiful sites ...if you know what to do with them! This was about access. It was aimed at people who might not otherwise have the money or resources for certain winter activities - and to prove local travel works."

"So the demand was there from the start. We' re always looking at doing something new, anyway. I would say our environment/green initiatives or objectives for WinterPeg were to shorten the distance between the person going somewhere for fun and their greenhouse gas emissions. We wanted to understand how people saw winter activity and where they needed to go to do it."

With so many activities and much preparation -- grooming ski trails, supplying equipment, and more -- Anders hired a staff person and invited specialists and volunteers to help out. "Just about everyone in Winnipeg Trails gets involved and we' ve made changes over the years, such as having a place to warm up, a washroom, and a wood stove."

Anders is quick to acknowledge his supporters. "We' ve had support from all three levels of government, as well as sponsors. Thanks to them we' ve had maybe 5,000 people use the trails over the last three years -- I remember one time we had 900 in one day! So we intend to grow it, for sure. Lots of people want it!"

"But it could not have happened without the Conversation and Climate Fund' s support. This was an innovative way to encourage more climate-tuned behavior. We wanted to show that anybody can take part in this. It' ll change how you feel about winter and climate change. It makes winter fun and it makes local transportation that much more attractive."