RM of Lansdowne – Home to Arden – Crocus Capital of Manitoba
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The
Rural Municipality of Lansdowne is at the center of farming in
Manitoba, the “Keystone Province” of Canada. We have a mixed farming
economy, good land, scenic country roads, lots of heritage and one
classic small village ‘off the beaten track’.
The World’s Largest Crocus Monument welcomes visitors year-round
at the south entrance to Arden (population 150). At the north end of
Arden, thousands of natural crocuses bloom each April on a vibrant
native Prairie grassland site.
You can retrace the steps of pioneers here. One branch of the Carlton
Trail took the high ground along the Arden Ridge. Today, our Pioneer
Cart Monument marks a fork-in-the-trail. Pioneer oxcarts, pulled by
oxen or horses, were wooden and also were known as Red River Carts. Our
Cart Monument is a full-size solid steel replica – standing
beside what appear to be ruts from the original ox carts!
View highlights from the
2010 Crocus Photo Contest
The Carlton Trail (also known as Fort Ellice or Edmonton Trail) had a
‘fork’ here. While most travelers continued west, some
continued northwest on high ground (The Burrows Trail) to settle at Ste
Rose and Dauphin. In the 1800s, this area became known as Beautiful
Plains. For the first time, fur traders and settlers on high ground
could see the ‘Beautiful Plains’ opening to the west, and
the hills to the northwest that became Riding Mountain National Park.
The Arden Ridge Road (PTH 352) is the high western shore of Glacial
Lake Agassiz, a natural pathway used by Aboriginal people for thousands
of years. It can be followed through the RM of Lansdowne. Its modern
junction at Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) is 6 km south of Arden and
is a local shortcut to Highway 5 and Clear Lake.
At the northeast corner of Lansdowne
is another ‘tucked away treasure’ — an authentic, restored, one room
Country School. Tenby School is a designated heritage site,
fully-restored and available for tours.
In Arden, walk our Swinging Footbridge over the Whitemud River into the shelter of Lansdowne Park and Campground!
Bring
the team and play baseball. Then enjoy a wonderful stroll on our Nature
Trail beside the river and into the woodlands. There’s a fishing hole,
turtles sunning on the logs, frogs, birds, wildflowers and more.
Take a Tour
2010 Crocus Photo Contest
Website By: virtualmanitoba.com
Updated 01/04/10