The Leaf — Attraction in Winnipeg

If you like plants, the Leaf is definitely the place to go. It is brand new, with an interesting architectural design that I think is well suited to a greenhouse. There are 2 interior biomes (tropical and mediteranean) and a butterfly area (which is quite small). There are also large outdoor displays. The place is clean, the staff is friendly and helpful. I did not try the restaurant. Note that there are other attractions in Assiniboine park (such as a zoo) so one can spend the day there, all family friendly. I recommend it. However, this being Canada, it's not about the plants, it's about how they relate to human and cultural diversity and immigration. Yup, that's the slant the place took, no doubt to get some of that Federal money. So there are many signs that regale us with stories of immigrants to Winnipeg and how various plants were either sacred/staples in faraway lands and how all this diversity is so diverse and that's a good thing. You don't learn much about the plants, just how really, really diverse Winnipeg is, via the plants. Most really miss the mark and the stories are pretty irrelevant to the actual plant's importance in the world, either for medicinal or food purpose. Two examples: Potatoes. When most people think about potatoes, the first thing in their mind is Iceland, obviously. So the sign tells us about this little girl that immigrated from Iceland to Winnipeg and how Nana used to make hooch from potato peels. No, she wasn't a convict. I guess another story could have been how a potato crop failure forced hundred of thousands of Irish to escape the cruel famine via a hellish atlantic transit, to end up in the pits of a quarantine island, many of the surviors helping to build the trans-Canada railroad by hauling nitroglycerin. Boring, I know. But now your kids know you can make hootch out of potato peels and Nana was a closet alcoholic. Poppy: The sign reminds us that poppy are famous for Ukrainian Christmas cuisine that use poppy seeds. Many Ukrainian immigrants in the prairies dontcha know, and this is what matters about poppy. Ukrainian food that Ukrainian immigrant eat. There is a tiny footnote about poppy also producing something called Opium. No mention of wars fought over the stuff, empires rising and falling over it, the consequences on trade and international relations lasting to this day. Nor the tremendous contribution of opioids to both medicine and addiction, the illicit trade which helps fund terrorism, drug cartels, coups and its role in the last bloody war Canada was involved in. Boring, I know.

Every once in a while you will see a sign for land acknowledgment. This is a part of a self-flagellation ritual common in the prairies acknowledging the natives ceded (sold) land they claimed they lived on -backed up by oral history- to the Crown. Since it's just taxpayer money, the Crown coughed up and all agreed to take the money so here we are. But it's important to acknowledge it, the same way you acknowledge every morning before you go to work that your truck belonged to Honest Ed Used Cars before he sold it to you out of his boundless generosity.

Finally, and seriously, I want to congradulate the staff for its tremendous work in maintaining the plants. The sheer number and variety of plants inside and outside is impressive, they look very healthy. Consider the challenge of having a tropical biome on the middle of the prairies, for example. Good work...

Visited The Leaf for the first time in January 2023.

The building has such an interesting architecture and features different biomes including the tropical one, mediterranean, display garden and the butterfly gardens. The tropical biome was my favourite and it felt like you had been instantly transported to a jungly paradise. There are wide pathways that lead through the plants and lots of benches to sit and admire the greenery. I noticed quite a few plants that I’ve had as houseplants and other tropical trees and plants that I’d never heard of. There were some plants with flowers but not too many. Most of the plants had tags with their name and there was some signage inside the biome which offered more info and history about some of the plants and trees.

I loved the footbridge which crossed a small pond and it had amazing views of the towering waterfall and catwalk above. There were some great photo opportunities throughout the tropical biome so bring your camera if you have! The Mediterranean garden featured plants from desert regions and was less impressive than the tropical area but still interesting.

From here, you can take the elevator up to the catwalk which overlooks the tropical biome for amazing views. It’s unfortunate that the only access is by elevator because you may have to wait in line awhile during busy times to get up. It appears that there is a staircase outside of the biome, but it was roped off and not accessible. You can also see the waterfall up close from the top. The entrance to the butterfly gardens is on this level as well. It was a small space but there were a handful of butterflies around the tropical foliage and they were beautiful to see. There was also a glass viewing area where you can see butterflies in various stages of hatching. There are multiple signs telling you not to touch the butterflies (because it can damage their ability to fly), yet I saw people doing this anyways which was disappointing and there were no staff there enforcing this.

I think the gardens will definitely become more impressive as the years go on and the plants and trees become larger. Right now, they’re all kind of starting out as this place is fairly new. I enjoyed seeing tropical greenery and the humid atmosphere and spent around 2 hours here.

There is also a gift shop, small cafe with drinks and some food and a fancier sit down restaurant outside of the gardens. I would definitely recommend checking out The Leaf. Very beautiful place to spend time. It was quite busy during my visit so make sure you purchase tickets in advance online to ensure you get in. There is also a severe lack of parking space with just a handful of spots along the narrow road to the entrance and no nearby...

Our Experience at The Leaf in Assiniboine Park Winnipeg Manitoba We have had an opportunity to visit The Leaf and had a memorable experience Reservations: are made online, and they are selected in ½ hour increments e.g., 1:30 pm – 2:00 pm. And you get a conformation email with digital tickets which you can print off or save to your cell phone and present to attendant at the entrance to the Biomes. Signage: Once in the park (using the South entrance off Corydon Avenue) was clearly visible and took us to the site where there is ample parking and a drop-off point at the front of the attraction for handicap or those passengers not wanting to do the walk from the parking areas. Accessibility for wheelchairs is available. Main entrance layout: Prior to entering the Biomes the main lobby has a restaurant for at your seat dining, a coffee bistro for buying drinks & snacks to take away, restrooms and a public unattended coat room, gift shop and private area for receptions and a classroom area. Overview: There are 3 main Biomes; Tropical, Butterfly &Mediterranean, plus a seasonal area which changes and at present has a beautiful “Living wall display”. Our experience: We started out in the Tropical Biome and the first thing that hits you is the humidity. If you ever been to the tropics that first feeling you get when you step off the plane? Yep, that’s it. You can spend a lot of time in here, sitting and visit with friends and a beverage, reading the informational signage or a book or watching the Koi fish in the waterfall pond. From there we went up 3 levels and into a butterfly garden where there was a quite atmosphere and butterflies fluttering around feeding from dishes placed around the entire room and lots of interesting signage on facts about butterflies. Next, we went back down to the main level and into the Mediterranean Biome and this time were hit with a dry dessert heat. There is a “Plaza in this room with tables and chairs where you can take your snacks and beverages and have lunch or visit. The seasonal display just behind is beautiful and relaxing and a sight to be seen. After leaving this area you will be asked if you are finished your visit or you will need your hand stamped to gain access back into the Biomes. Impressions: This is an amazing venue and anyone coming to Winnipeg should really take the time to come and see. It is a living building that will only get better as it matures and the plants get settled in and start their lives in this wonderful place. In these times where we need to take more mindfulness moments, this is the place. We’ll be back many times and looking forward to...