The Greg Ens Memorial Park opened to public last year, and Winkler residents are making good use of the new recreational space.

Jodi Szutu, park designer and member of the Winkler Horticulture Society, the group that spearheaded the project, says the park is really coming together.

"We were able to use it for a skating loop and we noticed some people having fires with the fire pit. The fire pit is really wonderful addition there. And that shelter is such an amazing spot to sit on a nice warm sunny day. Even on a cool day, if the sun is shining, it warms up in there so nicely. It'll be put to use I'm sure."

Szutu hopes the park, located on the east side of the Meridian Exhibition Centre, continues to grow in popularity. 

"As we learn to take care of it over the next few years, we'll learn how to make things efficient and just better for the community all around."

Ens, a well-known businessman, community builder and avid local hockey supporter, passed away in 2019 at the age of 48 after a battle with cancer.

After the unveiling, the community was given an opportunity to purchase a tree or shrub in memory of a loved one as part of the tree donor program. 

"With the naming of it as the Greg Ens Memorial Park, it just seemed fitting that we would make the trees available in memory of [other] people as well. It just seemed to carry through really well. It is a great way to help fund the park and the plantings of it. It worked out really well for us," said Szutu.

Phase Two of the park's development will include the planting of additional trees and shrubs. An August completion date is dependent on the weather. 

Szutu says people can purchase individual trees and shrubs, or groups of three to five shrubs. 

Society member, Margaret Penner, is the designated contact person for the tree donor program.