Hillside Beach community is woven together by pathways that allow walkers and bicycles to explore the area through the bays and streets, to the lagoon, west beach, or main beach area. These pathways are the original paths the development has preserved over the years. Many of the paths are maintained by residents whose efforts go without acknowledgement but are enjoyed by many.

Seasonal and permanent residents may walk by an opening in the woods and unsure of where it may lead. The pathways through the woods and along the wetland are treasures for exploring the natural life, vegetation, insects, and birds, that support a healthy boreal forest and Lake Winnipeg.

Hillside Beach Community Association has been planning to provide our community with the opportunity to access these original pathways with respectful identification and information as well as orientation through our community.

Nesting boxes for birds, natural wildlife, plant, shoreline and wetland information is planned to share with walking or cycling path travelers. The beauty and preservation of our woods and wetlands is part of keeping our Lake Winnipeg water and beaches healthy.

Learn more at the June event
On June 24, HBCA is planning to host “Nature’s Calling” at Charlie Wall Park. HBCA Trail Committee will have more information about the pathways, volunteer sponsors, nesting boxes for families to build and more. This day will also provide an opportunity for East Beach communities to attend an information session presented by the Lake Winnipeg Foundation.

The Coalition to Save Lake Winnipeg is supporting HBCA’s “Nature’s Calling” event by organizing information access regarding zebra mussels, wetlands, Lake Friendly etc. Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches.

Project overview
The proposed project would include:

• Identifying markers at the trailhead with directional information.
• Markers strategically placed to prohibit access of motorized vehicles - access is for pedestrian and bicycle traffic only.
• Nesting boxes for Eastern Screech Owls, Chickadees, Tree Swallow and House Wrens. Community participation in the building of the nesting boxes is in the plan.
• Nature information signs about wetlands, the boreal forest, birds, insects, animals, and plant life will be located on select trails.
• Poison ivy control where needed.
• Opportunity for community residents to adopt a trail.

A grant application for funding support of this project has been made to the RM of Alexander. Approval from the RM of Alexander is required as the trails identified are all on public land.

We look forward to working with the community of Hillside Beach and the RM of Alexander to enhance our outdoor experiences.

The community of Hillside Beach is served by two local companies to provide potable water (safe drinking) for seasonal residents from May long weekend until the October Thanksgiving weekend.

• Onalee Developments Water Supplier (South Hillside Beach)
  (204)754-7294  ona.lee.dev@gmail.com
  
• Trainor Artesian Water Company (North Hillside beach)
  (204) 697-1456  trainorsprings@mymst.net
  

There is an annual fee for water service invoiced by the company available for your property. 

Important Reminders about Seasonal Water Services

• The water service companies begin preparing the water lines when the snow has melted and the temperatures are above freezing.  
• Water service company is responsible for lines to the property.
• Property owner is responsible for line to the cottage. 

Check your water lines
Property owners should regularly check their water line - starting where the line connects to the property, then follow the line to the cottage. 

• Run the water through your lines at the beginning of the season before hooking up to your cottage might clear any debris that has accumulated.  Once you have cleared your lines, hook up to the cottage and run the water through your taps before using. Remember, safe drinking water is available on the May long weekend or when indicated by the water server. 
• If you are noticing low water pressure, check your line and check the line to your property. If it got cold enough overnight, it is possible there has been some freezing of the line.  Usually, daytime warm up is enough to have the water running again. 
• Please note that “overuse” of water, for example, filling a pool or watering a yard, may impact all customers on the shared water line. Contact your water service provider if you require water for a pool.   
• No power often means no water. When the power has gone out the pumps will not be working for the water service.  
  • Manitoba Hydro will be your contact, not the water service providers, if you are wondering when service will resume, check out the Manitoba Hydro Outages website.

Water Interruption tips

• Bring or purchase a large reusable container of water to have available for drinking.
• When temperatures are freezing be sure to store containers in an area where leaks would not damage furniture or cabinets. 
• Keep jugs of water in the refrigerator to fill up your reusable containers that you take to the beach, hiking or biking. Reducing purchased individual plastic bottles is an environmentally wise choice.
• Use rain barrels to collect water for your plants and if appropriate, to flush your toilet when the power is out.  

The community of Hillside Beach is home throughout the year to many migratory birds. We are a pelican’s paradise.  They nest on our shores and feed in our bays. We can see and hear them fly over our Hillside homes from May, bringing hope that summer is here soon until October, realizing winter is on its’ way. Learn more at Lake Friendly Manitoba Pelicans in Manitoba

While the pelicans, gulls and sandpipers have flown south we have a symphony of birds that arrive for the winter. Rick McGregor, a Lac du Bonnet Cottage owner, and amateur bird photographer has an article in the Lac du Bonnet Clipper (Nov. 3 issue, page 12) listing some of the local wintering birds in our area.

We invite our members to take photos and identify the many birds in our area during the different seasons.  We will share them on Facebook and our website for others to enjoy. 
Please visit Manitoba Bird Brochure for more information on birds you may see.

​Since April, 2022 there has been concern regarding the spread of Avian Flu and the contributions of bird feeders. From the Canadian Government Avian Flu in Migratory Bird:

The HBCA wants to give a big thank you to everyone who supported the second annual drive-in movie night. We set an attendance record with over 120 people.

Thank you to all the members of the HBCA board who volunteered throughout the night.

​Thank you to our movie night supporters
East Shore Realty, Wayne's Backhoe, Sunset Spray, Blue Water Lawn and DMD Electric.

The Hillside Beach Community Association (HBCA) Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, August 28 at 11:00 a.m. at Charlie Wall Park. Councillor Cheryhl Corrie has been invited to join us. 

Board of directors nominations
Nominations for the HBCA directors are welcomed. A maximum of 11 directors can be elected to work together for our community. Currently, there are eight directors volunteering on the board. A full complement of 11 will help to ensure the continuation of activities, events and communication to our community.

The board meets twice in the off-season in Winnipeg and approximately four times during the summer for planning events at Hillside Beach. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact us at info@hbca.ca.

Tickets are $25 per car. Maximum six people per car. Buy a ticket.

• Beaches Sugar Shack will be onsite for all your snack needs!
• Sound will be transmitted from an FM signal from your radio, and speakers (so you can sit outside the vehicle if you want).

When
Sunday, September 4th at dusk - approximately 8:30 p.m. at Charlie Wall Park.

Arrival time
Between 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Thank you to our movie night supporters
East Shore Realty, Wayne's Backhoe, Sunset Spray, Blue Water Lawn and DMD Electric.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Hillside Beach yard sale on Saturday - both sellers and attendees. We were thrilled to host this event for the first time since 2019.

​Thank you to Lori at the Hillside Beach Store and Eatery for donating the face painter and wieners for the hot dogs.

Thank you to our volunteers - we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks again!

​We received a lot of feedback throughout the day and look forward to making next year an even better event.

The Hillside Beach Annual Yard Sale is Saturday August 6, from 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM.

• $20 per site for HBCA members in good standing.
• $25 per site for non-members. 
  
• A limited number of tables are available to rent for an additional $10.

Park gates open at 7:00 AM for sellers.

​Want to help at the event? You can sign-up to volunteer here: https://signup.com/go/azNtyHR

Your HBCA hosted the first Family Fun Day since 2019. You may have noticed the event was very well attended - maybe too well attended - as we unfortunately ran out of food. We apologize to everyone who was disappointed - we will make sure to stock up a little more for future events.

Thanks to volunteers
We wanted to thank everyone who volunteered at Family Fun Day. We appreciate people taking time out of their day and helping put on this event with us. People have been extremely positive with their comments and the day was a great success... and the volunteers played a large part in that success!​

Help us get better
Please take a minute and fill out our 2022 Family Fun Day feedback form.

Family Fun Day is Saturday July 2, starting at 10:30 AM, at Charlie Wall Park.

There will be games, races, prizes, and freezies. When the hunger hits, there will be a barbecue where you can buy hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and drinks.

Volunteers are always welcomed. If you would like to help out, take a look at the volunteer opportunities and sign up.

In the June newsletter from the Coalition to Save Lake Winnipeg newsletter:

• AGM presentation from Dr. Alex Kanu, Executive Director of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation.
• Update on the North End Pollution Control Centre.
• How sewage overflows affect Lake Winnipeg.
• Zebra mussels update
• and much more!

The soccer camp has been cancelled for 2022. Full refunds will be given to all who registered.
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The camp will be held July 25 - July 29 at Charlie Wall Park. Free Jersey with Early Registration. Available for ages 3-16:

• Tiny Tykes group (3-5 yrs) 8 - 9 AM, $90
• Half a day camp (5-16 yrs) 9 AM - 12 PM, $154
• Full day camp (7-16 yrs) 9 AM - 3 PM, $200

The camps are fun and developmental environment. Our industry experts have crafted an approach which uses methodologies from all around the world to truly reflect the global nature of the sport today.

Using age appropriate practices to help players develop at their own pace, learn brand new skills and become an all-round better player, while having an amazing time with our international coaching staff!

Fresh water in Canada was promised $100 million/year for 10 years in the Liberal Party election platform. A little over six months later, the federal budget delivered only $19.6 million for a single year.

Last month, Lake Winnipeg Foundation (LWF) released a federal report card on Lake Winnipeg. In our review of the past year’s progress, they assigned a B grade in anticipation of the promised renewal of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program in Budget 2022, as part of a larger federal Freshwater Action Plan. That grade has been swiftly downgraded to an F with yesterday’s federal budget release.