Upper Fort Garry

An event that took place on this site shaped the history of Manitoba, of Canada and, by extension, of North America.

It started with an assembly, a representative assembly, freely chosen, drawn from all the parishes of the Red River Settlement, from farm and hunt and church and business. The 28 assemblymen met within this Fort to consider the future of their land. On 24 June 1870, they voted to join the Canadian Confederation. In doing so, they founded Manitoba. Their choice made possible a Canada stretching from Atlantic to Pacific. This Park recalls their historic choice.

For years, the only surviving remnant of the Fort, the Gate, remained hidden and largely forgotten. When this block of land was declared surplus property by the City of Winnipeg in 2006, the Friends of Upper Fort Garry was formed as a twelve member volunteer group to prepare a proposal to the City for the development of an historic park. An appeal to citizens and all levels of government resulted in $10.0 million being raised in 107 days to save the site. Officially designated as Upper Fort Garry Provincial Park in 2014, this significant tract of land is guaranteed to be in the hands of the people of Manitoba forever.