Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park

Hecla Island was settled from 1876 by Icelanders who fished the lake and farmed, and the village kept its own school, church and boats into the twentieth century. When the province created the park in 1969 residents were bought out and moved off, a decision still resented locally; the village was preserved as a heritage site with the church, school, fish station and several houses standing and interpreted. A causeway now links the island to the mainland. Grindstone Point across the water adds marsh and beach. The park is a strong birding area, with a marsh boardwalk and moose commonly seen at dawn on the island roads.

History

The island was settled in 1876 by the second wave of Icelandic immigrants, who called it Mikley, the magnificent island, and the community thrived for years until hard winters, disease and the poor prospects of commercial fishing and farming wore it down; its only school closed in 1970. Manitoba made Hecla Island a provincial park in 1969, and Grindstone was added in 1997 to form Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park (Wikipedia, Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park).

What you'll find

• Hecla Village - the preserved Icelandic settlement with church and school.
• The fish station - buildings from the lake commercial fishery.
• The marsh boardwalk - a wetland walk with waterfowl and marsh birds.
• The moose - animals regularly seen on island roads at dawn and dusk.

When to go

June to September for the village, beaches and birds; winter brings skiing and ice fishing with most services closed. Moose are most visible early morning in spring and autumn.

Practical notes

The village buildings have limited interior access and staffing. Lake algae blooms affect swimming in some summers. The resort on the island has changed hands and services vary.

Nearby

Gimli lies south; Grand Beach is across the lake on the eastern shore.

Key facts