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Trails sector discusses climate change, outdated infrastructure and uncertain funding
Inaugural summit looks to forge new paths
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2026/06/17/inaugural-trail-summit-lo...
IN Manitoba, thousands of kilometres of trails wind through a range of landscapes, including prairie, forest, sand dunes and provincial parks, passing through communities and campgrounds.
And behind every stretch is significant work to keep them maintained and accessible.
Across the country, trails are under growing pressure from climate change, aging infrastructure, increased use and uncertain funding — pressures that inspired trail leaders, advocates, researchers and policymakers from 10 provinces and two territories to gather in Winnipeg this week for the first Canadian Trail Summit.
Hosted by Trans Canada Trail, the national charity that stewards Canada’s 28,000-kilometre trail system, the four-day summit features keynote talks, technical workshops, field trips and sessions on conservation, accessibility, tourism and innovation.
“It’s the first trail summit that we’ve had across the country, and Winnipeg is the centre of Canada — it’s a great meeting spot, it’s been a meeting spot for people for thousands of years, so I think there’s a lot of meaning to this being the first place,” said Jeana Manning, president of Trails Manitoba.
Manitoba has a strong network of trails that support a range of activities — skiing, snowmobiling, running, walking and mountain biking — but they are not immune to challenges.
Flooding has closed all trails in Beaudry Provincial Park and damaged a boardwalk in Spruce Woods, shoreline erosion has restricted part of the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla/Grindstone, and low water levels have limited access in Turtle Mountain.
Wildfire damage has also forced long-term closures, including the Mantario Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park and trail systems in Nopiming park. Restoration projects are currently underway.
Manning said “a ton” of work goes into trail upkeep. “You have to go through a lot of legwork, and that’s often dependent on volunteers.”
In 2020 and 2021, the provincial government established an endowment and spend-down fund for trail investments that provided about $1.4 million annually.
She said the fund has been reduced to about $200,000 a year in granting funds — “which isn’t enough to accomplish our vision, which is a Manitoba where everyone is connected to trails.”
Despite the funding constraints, the Trails Manitoba grant program, funded by the provincial government in 2021, has invested about $6 million over five years in trail projects across the province.
Manning said funding has helped leverage roughly $26 million in trail development over that period.
Manning added there has been growing demand for more backcountry hiking options in the province, prompting action at the provincial level.
To mark 2026 Manitoba Trails Day on June 6, the Manitoba government announced the opening of two new backcountry campsites on the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park.
“We want to reduce that demand by providing more supply,” she said.
Ashleigh Hall, manager of Manitoba’s provincial trails office, says the province is a leader in the trail sector.
“I’m pretty sure (we are) the only provincial or territorial government that has an office dedicated to trails, and we have lots of great partnerships with trail organizations and the government as well,” she said.
“I think trails are really growing in Manitoba.”
Hall said the next phase of work is focused on expanding and improving the system, including identifying opportunities for more multi-day trail routes, strengthening mapping and trail database information, and better understanding how and when people use trails.
She said that data will help inform planning and decision-making on trail development and maintenance.
“Trails have a kind of magical ability to provide benefits like health, economic and social benefits across daily life and quality of life,” Hall said. “In Manitoba, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of that in all seasons.”
Manning said a summit presentation on Wednesday about the health benefits of trails inspired her to work with the provincial health department, Doctors Manitoba and other health partners on a more co-ordinated approach in recognition of trails as critical infrastructure for both human health and the natural environment.
“I think one of the biggest benefits (of the summit) is just building community and those connections with other people who are doing similar work,” she said.
zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.camailto:zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca