River Park South

River Park South is the largest Qualico development, boasting over 8000 homes alongside numerous businesses within its borders. Additionally, there are ample green spaces, sports fields, and winding walking paths throughout the community, weaving along its three ponds.

REAL ESTATE TRENDS

Construction in River Park South began in the early to mid-1970s, primarily nearer to the northern border of the area. These homes typically consist of bungalows with detached garages, often located on streets with back lane access. As you move towards the perimeter, the homes become progressively newer, reflecting the ongoing urban sprawl and development of additional land throughout the community. In the newer sections of the community, larger homes with front drive access and attached garages are common. Some of these properties are situated backing onto ponds or parks. Additionally, the area accommodates numerous condominiums, townhouses, trailers, and apartment buildings.  Regardless of the building type, owner occupancy remains high in the area, with nearly 86% of the dwellings being owner-occupied according to the 2020/21 census.

SCHOOLS AND SERVICES

If you're looking for an ideal neighbourhood to raise a family, look no further. River Park South is home to seven schools operated by the Louis Riel School Division and two schools managed by the Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine (DSFM).

There are four English elementary schools serving the area: Samuel Burland School, Highbury School, and H.S. Paul School, which offer classes from Kindergarten to Grade Eight. A small portion of students who live close to the corner of St Mary’s Road and Nova Vista Drive will attend English programming outside of the neighborhood. They will go to DR. D. W. Penner School from Kindergarten to Grade Six, then they will attend Darwin School or Minnetonka School, and finish high school at Dakota Collegiate. Their alternate high school is Glenlawn Collegiate Institute.

Children who attend Kindergarten to Grade Eight Programs at Highbury School and H.S. Paul School will go to Dakota Collegiate for high school. Students from Samuel Burland School will go to Glenlawn Collegiate Institute.

French Immersion Programming is available at École Julie-Riel and École St. Germain. Both of these schools provide programs from Kindergarten to Grade Five. Students then transition to École George McDowell for middle school and complete high school at Collège Jeanne-Sauvé.

For more information on school catchments and to find out where your child will go, please visit the Louis Riel School Division website.

Students who qualify to attend schools with DSFM can complete elementary years at École Christine-Lespérance. Their high school will be Centre Scolaire Léo-Rémillard located on St Anne’s Road.  

River Park South is close to some of Winnipeg’s most popular post-secondary institutions. The University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus and the Université de Saint-Boniface are the closest from the community and both are about a 15-minute drive. The University of Manitoba Bannatyne Campus, the University of Winnipeg and the Red River College Exchange District are an additional 5–10-minute commute.

HOSPITALS

There are no hospitals in the neighborhood; however, the Victoria General Hospital is only an 11-minute drive away.

SHOPPING

River Park South is home to many strip malls that offer groceries and additional services. Along St. Anne’s Road, you can find the Southglen Shopping Centre and Nova Place. These shopping areas consist of stores like No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, Bulk Barn, the Manitoba Liquor Mart, Dollarama, restaurants, medical centres, a veterinarian hospital, and other services. Vista Place is located on the corner of St. Mary’s Road and Nova Vista Drive and offers Dollarama, banking options, doctors’ offices, restaurants, and more. River Park Village, situated in the heart of the neighbourhood, includes Sobeys, restaurants, banking options, just to name a few. Other larger retailers can be found only minutes away from the community. Between St. Vital Centre and St. Vital Square, you have everything from London Drugs, Walmart, Sport Check, Red River Co-op, Marshalls and HomeSense, Old Navy, Hudson Bay, and Zellers, Marks, and so much more. The corner of St. Anne’s Road and Abinoji Mikanah offers Sobeys, Michaels, and Home Depot.

ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION

River Park South is bordered by the Seine River, which offers a beautiful walking path that runs from Creek Bend Road all the way to John Bruce Road. The Seine River South Trail, an out-and-back trail, joins the Seine River Greenway by the Royalwood Bridge. Together, they offer a 7.4 km walking and mountain biking trail for those who love to spend time outdoors and wish to encounter wildlife within city limits. The Seine River Greenway includes Bois-des-Esprits, a 117-acre urban forest made up of five different ecosystems – wetland, oak forest, grassland, aspen forest, and river bottom. Visitors enjoy searching out the carved wooden faces along the gravel path, as there is always a new addition to this natural art gallery. Follow the narrower dirt path that runs along the river, and chances are that you will spot turtles, ducks, beavers, muskrats, foxes, coyotes, deer, owls, and many other bird species that choose this greenery as their home. The river also offers activities year-round. An accessible dock was installed in 2020 on the Seine near the pedestrian bridge at John Bruce Road, allowing people with various abilities to enjoy the river by canoe or kayak. In the winter, the frozen river becomes a popular place to walk, run, fat bike, or snowshoe!

The community is home to larger parks with athletic fields and playgrounds that neighbour the schools located in the area. No matter where you live within the community, there is a soccer pitch, baseball field, or basketball court within walking distance from your home. John Forsyth Park is the largest of all, with 10 soccer fields, a playground, and a walking path along the lake. This path is part of a longer trail that connects John Forsyth Park, Burland Park, Highbury Park, and Paddington-Highbury Park. The South St. Vital Trail is a great excursion and runs from the Seine River all the way to St. Mary’s Road. This pathway is a great link between H.S. Paul School, École St. Germain, École George McDowell, and their sports fields. Malala Park is a smaller park featuring a playground and fitness equipment.

Over the west border is Henteleff Park, which is technically found in the neighbouring Normand Park but visited by many residents of River Park South. This park stretches along the Red River, offering scenic paths with river views. In July, you can join interpretive walks organized by the Henteleff Park Foundation.

River Park South is home to the Dakota Community Centre, one of the largest community centers in all of

Winnipeg. It is comprised of the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex, where you will find two indoor rinks, and the Dakota Fieldhouse.  This complex houses a 200-meter, 3-lane indoor track and a multipurpose court space that offers recreational programs to residents of all ages. The center features the Jump Start Community Rink, a multi-use outdoor rink with a special sand base that allows it to be used as a beach volleyball facility during the summer. Additionally, you can find an outdoor basketball court, the Dakota Spray Pad, and the Dakota Lawn Bowling Centre within the center premises.  Adjacent to the Dakota Community Centre is the Louis Riel Library, spanning over 13,000 square feet and serving the community and surrounding areas.

St. Vital Centennial Arena is operated by the St. Vital Minor Hockey Association and is within walking distance from the northern border of the community. Adjacent to the arena is the Nancy Allan Skate Park, an 11,000-square-foot plaza designed for skilled skateboarders.

Looking for more outdoor recreational activities? Maple Grove Park is just a stone’s throw away from the neighbourhood, tucked between the Perimeter Highway and the bend of the Red River. This park includes the IJL Ultimate Park, football fields, rugby fields, a boat launch, a large off-leash dog park, volleyball courts, and a picnic shelter. It is shared by the St. Vital Mustangs Football Club, the Maple Grove Rugby Park, and the Manitoba Organization of Disc Sports (MODS). The IJL Ultimate Park is a premier ultimate facility featuring 11 athletic fields for Disc Sport and two open-air structures to enjoy the game.  The Maple Grove Rugby Park and Sports Plex is one of Manitoba’s premier multi‐sport facilities, consisting of 5 International Sized Rugby Pitches, 8 regulation Sand Volleyball Courts suitable for hosting local and international events, as well as a fully licensed clubhouse rentable for weddings and private events. Besides its own fields, the MODS rents fields from the Rugby Park annually for league play and for special events such as Middle School and High School Provincial Championships, Beat the Skeeters, and Manitoba Cup.

St Vital Mustangs Football Club includes a traditional field, a newly constructed state-of-the-art artificial turf game field and a hall. Maple Grove Off-Leash Dog Park is one of the largest off-leash dog parks in Winnipeg, situated on 12.92 hectares of land. It features multiple trails, large open fields, forest, and riverside areas. It includes a fenced area for puppies and smaller dogs.

If golf is your passion, there are several golf courses in the area to allow you to hone your craft. Southside Golf Course, Canoe Club Golf Course, St Boniface Golf Club, Niakwa Country Club, as well as the Windsor Park Golf Course and Nordic Centre, are all less than a 15-minute drive from River Park South.

Planning a family or date night? Pick up some wine from Jones and Company, try traditional Italian cuisine at Harth Mozza & Wine Bar, or enjoy the patio of Earls Kitchen and Bar after catching a new release movie at SilverCity St. Vital Cinemas. Drive along St Anne’s Road during the holidays to see the Christmas Light Display by Arbo Flora Garden Centre. We are hardly scratching the surface with the options in this community!

WHY WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT NEIGHBOURHOOD TO LIVE IN?

With over 150 acres of parklands, schools, recreation facilities, and shopping opportunities within its borders or just minutes away, this neighborhood is ideal for families and those who love the active lifestyle.

THOUGHTS FROM YOUR NEIGHBOURS