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Portage la Prairie at a Glance
The city of Portage la Prairie is situated between the Assiniboine River and Lake
Manitoba. The name comes from the French word portage, which means to carry a
canoe on land between waterways. The city is located 70 km (43.5 mi)
west of Winnipeg and was settled
by pioneers, looking for a better life in the Canadian prairies.
Fort la Reine Museum and Pioneer Village provides an insight into the lives
of prairie pioneers, with displays that include pioneer homes and artifacts as
well as a railway caboose. The
Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame Museum is an important account of the sport's
impact on the province's history. With softball paraphernalia from as early as
the 1930s, the museum pays homage to the sport as well as inductees into the Hall
of Fame. Farming makes up the bulk of Portage la Prairie's economy and it is known
as the world's strawberry capital and the North American potato processing capital.
Several U-pick and pre-picked strawberry farms make a home in bountiful Portage
la Prairie and its surrounding area, such as Connery's
Berry Farm. To truly appreciate Portage la Prairie's ecological setting, a
visit to the nearby Delta
Marsh Bird Observatory is a must. It is an important stopover for migrating
birds of many species and hosts a biennial weekend-long birding festival for bird-lovers.
In the city, Island
Park is the social and recreational hub of activity. The park offers a plethora
of all-season recreation, including a water park and cross country ski trails,
and hosts the annual Winterfest every February.
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