Take a Walk Through Caboose #76602

Have you noticed anything different about the caboose outside The Forks Market? Something's changed, and it's super cool. 

It's open! Climb up the stairs on the front of the caboose, push open that old wooden door, and travel back to the 1930s.

This caboose has seen more of Canada than most of us ever will. It was built in the 1930s at the Point St. Charles Shops in Montreal and has put on a lot of miles since. 

Until 1988, when it was retired at the Transcona Shops right here in Winnipeg, the caboose traveled the CN lines from coast to coast housing the conductors and crews of the trains it capped off.

Back in the day, the caboose was where the conductor and crew worked, slept, and likely huddled around the wood fire with a celebratory drink along the way. 

The crew would hang out there from time to time to monitor the brake and air pressure and to log the number and contents of each train car in front of it.

On September 15, 1992, the Canadian National Railways donated Caboose #76602 to The Forks as a nod to all the thousands of train crews that traveled through The Forks years ago.

Trains and railways are an important part of The Forks' history. Before it was the great hang-out spot it is today, The Forks was gravel, rail ties, and a whole lot of trains. The Forks – then called the East Yard – was where the trains would stop to load up and receive cleaning and maintenance. 

Now, we treasure gifts like Caboose #76602 as a reminder of one of the many things this land once was before we called it The Forks.

So please, walk to the back of the caboose, take a seat on the bench to your right, look out the window at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, and try to imagine The Forks bustling with trains, horses, and the people that worked so hard to maintain all of it.

Other posts that might interest you:

• Tunes of the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Canada Games Festival: Ontario & Quebec
• Endless Choices With the Flights of The Forks Market
• Why don’t you: go on a family bike ride to the Forks?

The Top 10 Spring Things To Do at The Forks

We've said goodbye to our beloved Red River Mutual Trail (and winter), but it isn't quite time for soaking in the summer sun. So - what's there to do during the spring?!
Here's a round-up of some fan favourites we think you'll love — whether this is your first time visiting The Forks, or you've lived here your whole life and you're due for a refresher.

1) Try the cinnamon buns from Tall Grass Prairie Bakery OR the mini donuts at The Mini Donuts Factory.

Both are sweet, soft and sugary classics. The Tall Grass Cinnamon Buns are baked fresh every single day (the smell is absolutely heavenly in the mornings), and they are made with ingredients from Manitoba (Manitoba organic cold-pressed sunflower oil, whole grain flour, and organic unbleached white flour). Mini donuts are little sugar-covered deep-fried rings of heaven, not to mention they are portable so you can walk and snack at the same time. 

If you're not in the mood for something sweet, you can check out some of the other food kiosks and 6 full-service restaurants on site.

2) Visit the Travel Manitoba Visitor Information Centre

The place to go to find out about all the great things and hidden gems our province has to offer. This new building has interactive exhibits, including a "Heart Wall" to help you create a custom travel plan. Whether you're from out of town or just need a new adventure, Travel Counsellors are available to point you in the right direction. The Travel Manitoba Visitor Centre is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, and 9:30 am to 9 pm on Fridays.

3) Contemplate the world around you at The Canadian Museum for Human Rights

The exhibits and galleries in the nationally acclaimed Canadian Museum for Human Rights will leave you speechless, and the view from the tower will leave you breathless. Spend a day learning about human rights, walking through history in deep reflection, envisioning the future, and inspiring change.  For hours and admission, visit their website for more information.

4) Rent a bicycle from White Pine Bicycle Co.

When your own two legs just won't do,  rent a bike or unicycle from White Pine Bicycle Co. inside Johnston Terminal, and trek all 56 acres of The Forks on one or two wheels. Take your bike for a trek down the riverwalk, one of Winnipeg's most scenic urban walkways. If the riverwalk is flooded, don't fret, there are still plenty more paths to take!

5) Adventure through the Manitoba Children’s Museum

Crummy weather? Bored kids? Bring em' to the Manitoba Children's Museum to burn off some energy and learn something new! This award-winning museum has twelve permanent galleries with super-interactive exhibits, like the tumble zone, splash lab, and lasagna lookout. Open Sunday to Thurs 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday & Saturday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. 

6) Shop at The Forks Market

The Forks Market is full of independently owned and operated shops that all have something special to offer. You'll find wine, skateboards, soap, action figures and moccasins — talk about variety! Pop in for a walk about, you might be surprised what you'll find.

Bonus: The Forks Trading Company on the second floor sells strictly Manitoba made merchandise, including our "Roasted Nuts and Warming Huts" collaboration candle with Coal and Canary (check to see if it's in stock because it seems to keep selling out). They have a great selection of locally made goods you can't get elsewhere.

7) Listen to the buskers

Phil Natividad and his ukulele (singing his heart out in the picture below) is one of the buskers who adds to the ambience in The Forks Market. Nearly a hundred buskers audition in front a panel of judges each year, and a select group are chosen and awarded with busker passes to perform at The Forks. Grab a coffee and enjoy the sounds from all sorts of musical backgrounds. Fiddlers, guitar players and singers park themselves at our busk stops daily to play music for your enjoyment. 

8) Relax at The Inn at The Forks

Need a day to relax? Check yourself in at Inn at The Forks for the full treatment: start your escape at Riverstone Spa with a spa treatment, followed by some fine comfort food and craft cocktails at SMITH Restaurant, and cap it off with getting some rest in a room with a view. Who says you can't find peace and quiet in downtown Winnipeg?

9) Take the kiddos to a play at Manitoba Theatre for Young People

With musicals and plays catered to kids, MTYP will spark their imaginations and entertain them. MTYP also offers theatre school for the little ones who want to get into acting. Visit the MTYP website to see this season's lineup and to buy tickets.

10) Take in the view of the city from the tower

Take the elevator, or hike up the stairs up for the best view of The Forks and downtown Winnipeg from our look-out tower. Bring a camera to capture the experience.

BONUS: Come to The Forks and choose your own adventure! Mix and match from the list above, or go for a walk around the site and explore The Forks to find your own hidden jem. 

How to #EmbraceWinter Sans-Skates

Your knees buckle, blades slide back and forth without actually propelling you forward, and you can't stay upright to save your life. Here's looking at you, folks who aren't fans of skating. We feel your pain (falling on the ice hurts can sometimes cause a bruised bottom). So when you're at The Forks in the winter and you aren't feeling like putting on those blades of glory- it's no biggie! Here are five things to do at The Forks if you're not inclined to the favourite Canadian pastime.

1. Tobogganing

Our hill is BYOT — bring your own toboggan. Come be a kid again, or bring the kiddos, and zip down on a Crazy Carpet, disc, or a good ol' fashioned wooden toboggan that fits all your friends. Extra points if you go for big air.

2. Stargazing

Did you know that the Oodena Celebration Circle at The Forks is a naked eye observatory? Cool right?! Bundle up, bring a blanket and some binoculars, and take it all in. While you're there, check out the featured constellations carved into the armatures.

3. Hiking

The Red River Mutual Trail (RRMTrail) isn't just for skating, there's also a packed snow path on the sides of the trail for folks to walk on. If you're not feeling like struggling on a pair of skates, go for a brisk walk on the beloved RRMTrail, while skaters fly by on the ice.

4. Biking

White Pine Bicycle Co. in the Johnston Terminal rents fat tire bikes that can tackle snow no problem-o. Plenty of people in Canada can probably say they know how to skate, but how many people can say they've gone for a brisk bike ride in the dead of February?

5. Picture This

While this isn't as physical as skating, you'll be working out your arms by snapping some pictures. Whether you are taking cute couple photos under the canopy of lights on The Forks Historic Rail Bridge, posing in front of one of the Warming Huts, or capturing the memory of your outdoor outing, The Forks is the best location to take fun photos. Use the hashtag #MeetMeAtTheForks to let us know you've stopped by, we love seeing what you're up to!

After spending the day outside sans-skating, you'll absolutely want to warm up. Don't forget to come inside to The Forks Market for a hot beverage and a treat.

Skates or no skates, there's no reason you can't #EmbraceWinter at The Forks.

Welcome to The Boulevard

We all know why the chicken crossed the road, but our question is WHERE did the chicken do it? Well, it would probably be at The Boulevard if they were here at The Forks . 

The Boulevard, a temporary demonstration project, has widened the current boulevard on Israel Asper Way, to give you a safer way to cross by calm the flow of traffic.

As new additions come to The Forks, we're always on the lookout for how people use and get around the site. Over the past year, we were noticing that the current pedestrian crossing wasn’t being respected as it should be. Cars weren't slowing down and stopping for people trying to cross and it was kind of like having a four-lane highway in the middle of our site. So we tried to think of creative ways to calm traffic, keep people safe, and add a little style while doing it. Enter "The Boulevard".

Located between the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the FNP Parkade, The Boulevard is designed to have traffic to merge from two lanes in each direction to one in each direction. 

The space is outlined by large planters, safety cones, and giant chickens painted on the ground to designate a safe crossing space. We've also added Warming Huts to make it look a bit prettier.

Because this is a demonstration project, The Boulevard will be operating from September 16 to the end of October. After that, we'll review the space and how the concept worked.

So be like the chickens and cross safely at The Boulevard to get to the other side.

International Women’s Day at Museum counts down to FIFA Women’s World Cup

Soccer is played in almost every nation of the world, which gives it great potential to promote global awareness about equality, respect and human rights for all.

That’s one reason the Canadian Museum for Human Rights is partnering with FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada on Sunday, March 8 – the 40th anniversary of International Women’s Day. A special event in the Museum will highlight the contributions of women in sport who have worked to overcome barriers to gender equality and helped shape positive attitudes.

 Photo: Canada Soccer / Hana Asano

March 8 marks exactly three months until the first Winnipeg match kicks off in FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ – the largest women’s sporting event in the world. Women in sport have overcome many rights issues but continue to face challenges today.

From 12 p.m. to 4 p. m., the Museum will host special family activities, panel discussions and speakers from the world of soccer, including Sylvie Béliveau of Canada Soccer, former head coach of the Women’s National Team. Béliveau is not only a celebrated figure in national and international women’s soccer, but works in Québec with Égale Action, an organization that promotes participation in sport for women of all ages.  

 Photo: Canada Soccer / Martin Lussier

To provoke thought and discussion about the Right to Play (an article of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), one of the many family activities in the Museum on March 8 invites visitors to make soccer balls out of plastic bags. This hands-on activity is inspired by a story featured in the Museum about young people in parts of Africa who can’t afford sports equipment, so scour garbage dumps for plastic bags and string to transform trash into soccer balls.

Visitors can also find powerful stories about women’s rights and female human right defenders located throughout the Museum’s galleries. Regular admission fees apply for Museum gallery access. There is no charge for the activities in Bonnie & John Buhler Hall or the panel discussions in the Manitoba Teachers’ Society Classrooms. Seating for the panel sessions is limited.

Photo: CMHR

Guest Post by Canadian Museum for Human Rights