What began as a regular community meeting quickly turned into something much bigger, all sparked by one simple question:
"Should we consider rebuilding the playground?"
That one idea quickly turned into a $188,000, community-led transformation, thanks to local fundraising, strong support from the RM of Portage la Prairie, and a timely boost from the Province of Manitoba.
Standing in front of the brand-new Peony Farm Community Park on August 28, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard praised the collective effort that brought the park to life.
“We used to camp out here with my boys in the summer,” Simard shares. “To come back and see this, it’s really inspiring. This is the kind of project that shows what happens when communities speak up, work together, and get the support they need.”
More than a playground
The new park isn’t just a play area; it’s a year-round recreational hub designed for everyone to use. There are age-appropriate structures for toddlers and older children, a picnic shelter perfect for family gatherings, and a large concrete pad that supports basketball, pickleball, and skating in the winter.
Thanks in part to a $93,000 grant from the Manitoba GRO program, what was originally planned as a two- to three-year project was completed in just one.
“This is exactly the kind of rural infrastructure we want to invest in. For too long, municipalities have been underfunded. We’ve changed that by ending the funding freeze and committing to a two per cent increase every year. When communities bring forward solid ideas with real community support, we’ll be there to help move them forward," he continues.
Built by, and for, the Community
The idea took off when the Peony Farm Community Club surveyed residents and found that many weren’t using the old park because the equipment was outdated and didn’t offer much for kids of different ages.
“There wasn’t much there for a lot of people,” says Brenda Miller-Adams, one of the lead organizers. “We wanted to create something that reflected the community’s wishes, not just one family’s idea of what a park should be."
The club partnered with Proctor Designs to develop an inclusive layout and quickly began fundraising. The first major donation came from Cobbes Plumbing & Heating, which set the tone for a growing wave of support. Contributions came in from across the region, including the Portage and District Community Foundation, Stride Credit Union, Simplot Canada, the McCain Foundation, and others.
The RM of Portage la Prairie also stepped up, offering both financial and operational support. Municipal staff members and RM equipment were on site during the build, and CAO Kyle Hamilton was singled out for helping get the project done faster than anyone expected.
“His support and insight helped pull everything together so quickly and efficiently. Having someone at the RM who really believed in the project made a huge difference," she notes.
A park for the whole district
Reeve Roy Tufford praised the project as a perfect example of community collaboration.
“This is what happens when people come together. It’s a project that will serve not just Peony Farm, but families across the Portage area for years to come," Tufford says.
That wide community appeal was always part of the vision.
“It’s for all of Portage and District," Miller-Adams adds. "Whether it’s a birthday party, a pickup game, or a winter skate, we want people to come here, connect, and enjoy it.”
As the speeches wrapped up, children were already climbing, running, and bouncing basketballs across the brand-new pad.
Minister Simard smiled as he took in the scene.
“This is the kind of community building that we need to have in every community throughout the province. It promotes healthy living and a great way of life, where families can grow and thrive."
Though the park is already open for everyone to enjoy, the community isn’t done celebrating. A formal grand opening event is planned for Sunday, September 7. To RSVP or learn more, email the Peony Farm Community Club at peonyfarmcommunityclub@gmail.com.
With a fresh new space built by local hands and supported by all levels of community and government, Peony Farm now has more than just a park; it has a lasting reminder of what’s possible when people come together.
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