The Forks, a Great Place to Visit and Photograph in Winnipeg
- Zane Vanderhorst-Sewell
- Apr 3, 2018
- 4 min read
The Forks National Park a Review in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Throughout my life, The Forks has been a place where I would visit weekly with my family on walks, boat rides, meet up with friends, go on dates, or just go skateboard. I’ve seen many changes, good and bad, all of which keep me wondering how much more it will change in the next 10 years and what it will look like.
The Forks, named after its location on the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, all started with the aboriginal settlements, the fur trade, the beginning of the railway, immigration and the industrial age. The Aboriginal Groups that originally occupied the area include Nakoda, Cree and Ojibwa. Europeans arrived at the forks by water around 1738, and the Red River Colony was a product of this, as the surrounding area was rich in food and was ideal for a transportation route. The Forks was a happening spot in Canada up until the 1880’s when Canada shifted its focus from fur production to grain.
In 1886 the railway really started to come along, as many of the buildings that we know now were constructed in this era. The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway stable and, and The Great Northern Railway were transformed into the Forks Market, and The National Cartage Building is now known as The Johnston Terminal, The northern Pacific Building is now The Children’s Museum.
A fun fact to know about The Forks is that the same architects that designed Grand Central Station in New York were hired to design Union Station!
When the government of Canada started the promotion of immigration, Winnipeg was known as “the Gateway to the Canadian West solely because of the immigration sheds at The Forks that had the ability to house 500 immigrants each. The hundreds of thousands of people that came through there ultimately changed the Culture, and landscape of the city and all of Western Canada.
As a child The Forks was a family destination for a walk or a bike ride, snow or shine! I have very strong and rich memories from these visits. From the excitement of choosing which variety of food to choose from with all the different cultures of food in one place, bringing friends along to share the experience, or just meeting up with some friends and skating in the plaza. I was always amazed with the bustling atmosphere and the many different activities and shops inside the central plaza. Even if it was 40 below in the winter with the roads closed, and blizzarding outside, my parents would still insist that we bundle up and go. The walk to the Forks itself would take us approximately 30 minutes. I wasn’t always thrilled about going along (more because of the 30 minute walk) but even after resisting I would be glad I went as there was usually a fun or interesting experience to be had along the way.
Some of my favorite memories include watching the buskers, feeding the geese on the waterfront, and going to the top of the tower to look out. One memorable experience was when the queen was visiting and everyone gathered at the forks to see her. I remember being up on my father’s shoulders and waving as she passed by.
In all the times I’ve visited The Forks throughout the years I’ve notice many changes some good, and some bad, they have each brought more character into the location and helped to make it what it is today.
In the past few years a huge addition to The Forks is The Human Rights Museum, which has brought a lot of culture and is now one of the bigger attractions the city has to offer. Also in the past couple of years The Forks Market has undergone a major renovation, adding new stores, and eateries, these amazing chandeliers, and bar that are incredibly visually appealing. As a part of the new renovation in the main hall in The Forks Market, is my Father’s Art installation which takes up the whole backside of the bar and is quite a sight to see. It is a series of three canoes, with individuals from many of the cultural groups that historically contributed to our city and currently occupy it.
In the past years the Zambonis have paved a short pathway along the rivers for the public to skate on with The Forks as a starting point, but in recent years when whether conditions are appropriate the trail will for up to 16 km. Another smaller change at the forks, and this only happened it the past year, is that they have started charging for parking in the parkade building. I would have to say this is the only negative change that they have made, but I guess $4.00 is not the biggest price to pay for a coupe hours at the forks.
The Forks is definitely one of my favorite places to take my subjects to photograph them. The amount of variety of backgrounds and lighting is unbeatable whether you’re in the main hall in the food court with the glass ceilings or The Johnston Terminal with a photogenic coffee shop, or even the antique shop in the basement. You will have no trouble getting some quality images.
So my final overall rating for the forks would be 4 stars out of 5, it is hard to find something wrong with the place, as it has a little something for everyone, it even has a little forest. I will definitely be back there with a model in the future for a shoot, because with such an incredible place right at my doorstep I would be silly not to take advantage of it.
Here is the link for where I acquired all the information involving the history of The Forks National Park.
For a list of all the restaurants and eatery’s, I have provided a link.
For a list of Events happening at The Forks click the link.
Link for the Forks Blog.
Things to do at The Forks
A day at The Forks
Link about my fathers art installation for more info
Image #1
Elana, in the main hall food Court
Image #2
Elana, on the second level balcony overlooking the main hall at the Forks
Image #3
One of three of my fathers art installations, right behind the new bar in the main hall at The Forks.
A picture of The Forks market main hall before the renovation.
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