About Us
Welcome to the Grindstone Cottage Owner’s Association
Grindstone Park: A Serene Cottage Community
Welcome to Grindstone Park, a charming cottage community nestled in the tranquil wilderness of the mainland peninsula along the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. Our community of over 400 cottages is conveniently located just 45 minutes north of Riverton via Provincial Highway 8. A quick turn onto Grindstone Road guides you through five beautiful subdivisions, all connected by scenic walking trails. These trails offer exhilarating wildlife encounters for all ages, with Grindstone Park’s natural beauty providing the perfect backdrop.
An Idyllic Location
Surrounded by picturesque islands, including Black Island, Goose Island, Deer Island, Punk Island, and Little Punk Island, Grindstone Park offers a serene escape. A 20-minute boat ride connects us to Hecla Provincial Park, featuring an 18-hole golf course, providing yet another opportunity to immerse yourself in nature.
Recreation for All Seasons
Grindstone Park offers three sandy beaches, two boat launch sites, and the renowned Grindstone General Store. Enjoy cross-country ski trails, snowmobile trails, snowshoeing trails, and ice fishing in the winter. Once the ice melts, water enthusiasts take to the lake for boating, fishing, water skiing, and tubing. Summer’s highlight is Grindstone Days, a 30-year tradition celebrating friends, family, and fun.
Abundant Wildlife & Edible Berries
Grindstone Park is a haven for wildlife. Moose, white-tailed deer, foxes, beavers, bears, and otters are often spotted in the area. The park also offers an abundance of edible berries, including strawberries, raspberries, dewberries, Saskatoon berries, and chokecherries.
Community Involvement
The Grindstone Cottage Owners Association (GCOA) was established in 1978 to foster Grindstone Park’s development as a vacation and recreation area and preserve it for future generations. The association’s efforts began with advocating for hydro access. Today, we proudly publish the Grindstone Gazette, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a CD compilation. Our new website offers a platform to share our history, showcase our park, and highlight upcoming events.
We value our committees, including the Save Our Lake committee, which collaborates with environmental groups to restore Lake Winnipeg’s health, and the Trails committee, working to establish motorized vehicle guidelines and trails within our park. We’re also proud members of the Manitoba Association of Cottage Owners (MACO) and the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium (LWRC).
For more information, please explore our website or contact us at [email protected]. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant community.
Grindstone Park: A Historical Snapshot
The history of Grindstone Park dates back to May 29, 1976, when the first cabin lot draw was advertised in the Free Press. Many of the first cottagers still cherish their time at Grindstone, some with memories of clearing land and building their cottages without power. How times have changed!
Log Cabin Pricing Over the Years
Do you remember when ground beef cost $0.59 per pound, milk was 3 quarts for $0.89, and chicken was 3 pounds for a dollar? In January 1978, the Winnipeg Free Press ran a story about 11 government log cabins at Black’s Point sold by lottery draw for $16,500 — $15,200 for the cabin and $1,300 in lot fees. Some felt the price was high, as an insulated, finished cottage in the area ranged from $15 to $23 per square foot. Yearly fees were $70 for lakefront cottages and $40 for back-tier ones.
The Priceless Value of Cottages
The initial cost breakdown included:
- Purchase price: $16,500
- Interior walls: $1,000 (or $500 DIY)
- Insulating floor and attic: $500 ($200–$300 DIY)
- Electricity, well, and holding tank: Additional costs
- Gas for 95-mile weekend trips: Additional costs
But beyond the monetary investment, cottages offer priceless memories. Imagine spending countless hours at your cabin, watching your kids grow up, and teaching your grandchildren how to catch frogs at the beach. This lifetime of memories makes cottages an invaluable family investment, and $16,500 was a great price for such lasting joy.