Viking Park in Gimli, Manitoba contains homes for the “hidden people”
In Icelandic lore, Huldufólk or “hidden people” lived in caves in the mountains or in houses that were not visible to the human eye. These elves are highly respected in Icelandic culture. They are known to be mischievous and will cause trouble if disturbed. In Iceland, roads have been re-routed in order not to interfere with known elf inhabitants. Many Icelanders welcome their elf friends to small houses and churches placed around the countryside. Now, a Canadian town is doing the same.
Gimli, Manitoba is located on the western shores of Lake Winnipeg, about an hour’s drive north of Winnipeg. It is in an area once known as New Iceland. In 1875, the Canadian government granted Icelandic immigrants a reserve along the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. Here the immigrants established New Iceland, which had its own constitution and government until 1887. The community is more ethnically diverse today, but the connection to its Icelandic roots remain strong.
A 15-foot tall Viking statue was unveiled in 1967. It was moved to its current location on 2nd Avenue overlooking the harbour in 1988 to make way for a personal care home. In 2014 plans were developed for a park around the statue. The opening of Viking Park occurred in 2017 during the town’s annual Icelandic Festival. The Elf Garden is part of that park.
The park also includes a Troll Storm Garden with water-loving plants and boulders stacked into troll-like shapes with faces cut into the stone. In Icelandic folk lore, trolls come out at night and if they do not get back to their lairs before sunrise they turn back into the stone from which they came.
Paving stones on the walkway contain donor names and Norse runes. Norse runes are symbols known to have been used for written communication in medieval times and in Icelandic history. A Culture and History wall wraps around a seating area. The wall, which is back-lit at night with LED lights, is engraved with historical information. The Breakwater Garden contains indigenous plant and grasses.
The garden is still is its infancy with young plantings, but it is already attracting visitors judging by the interest on the day I visited.

Rune Stone on Viking Hill, erected in 2014

This narrow path to the garden is actually a remnant of the old dike/seawall along Gimli’s South Beach
There is more to see in Gimli beyond Viking Park. Lake Winnipeg is the twelfth largest lake in the world. Fishing and tourism are key industries for Gimli. Sandy beaches make it a popular summer vacation spot. Cross-country skiing and ice fishing bring people in the winter. The town has a thriving arts community.

Marina

Beach

Murals along the seawall
To find out more about the history and Icelandic heritage of this area, visit the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli, located on 1st Avenue around the corner from Viking Park.
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16 Comments
Ken Dowell
September 27, 2017 at 11:54 amNow that’s taking the tiny house concept a step further. Interesting stuff, Donna. Most of what I know about Manitoba comes from your blog.
Donna Janke
October 1, 2017 at 8:32 amThanks Ken.
RoseMary Griffith
September 27, 2017 at 2:26 pmI love the whimsey of a garden like this and admire the town’s indulgence in it. What fun to share the history with us.
Donna Janke
October 1, 2017 at 8:34 amIt is delightful whimsey, isn’t it Rose Mary?
Jeri Walker (@JeriWB)
September 29, 2017 at 12:08 pmGimli’s Viking Park looks lovely, and I love the little houses.
Donna Janke
October 1, 2017 at 8:34 amJeri, the little house are so pretty.
Anita and Richard @ No Particular Place To Go
October 2, 2017 at 10:04 amThanks for this introduction to Gimli, Manitoba, and Icelandic folklore. The tiny houses tucked into the stones look so quaint and I imagine you could make a game of seeing how many you could find. Looks like your visit was delightful with the company of elves, a Viking and trolls! Anita
Donna Janke
October 4, 2017 at 8:42 amAnita, I loved the houses. You can also make a game out of solving rune puzzles carved into the stone pathway.
Doreen Pendgracs
October 2, 2017 at 5:00 pmThanks for this great post, Donna. Gimli is such a scenic place. You should have been there for Nuit Blanche on Saturday night! I look forward to exploring the new Viking Park.
Donna Janke
October 4, 2017 at 8:42 amDoreen, I’m sure Nuit Blance in Gimli was delightful. Gimli has such a strong arts community.
Jo Castro
October 3, 2017 at 2:05 amThis is something I’ve never heard anything about. It would totally capture my imagination if I visited, and so you’ve made Gimli, Manitoba and Icelandic folklore something which I’d very much like to discover more of.
Donna Janke
October 4, 2017 at 8:43 amJo, it really is a place to capture the imagination.
Karen Warren
October 6, 2017 at 1:04 amI love the idea of Gimli’s Viking Park. I always find Viking culture fascinating and it’s great to see it being celebrated in this way.
Donna Janke
October 9, 2017 at 6:44 amKaren, I don’t know a lot about Viking culture, but what I do know is quite interesting. This park is a great location as well.
Marilyn Jones
October 8, 2017 at 4:10 pmI had never heard of the Icelandic elves and certainly not in Canada! I was equally impressed with the history of New Iceland. Very interesting!
Donna Janke
October 9, 2017 at 6:44 amMarilyn, I too find the history of New Iceland interesting.