• Central Park Market
  

• History & development
  

• Operations
  

• Other community initiatives
  

• Local food sourcing
  

• Community economic devleopment
  

• Future of the market and park
  

• References
  

Central park market:

Central Market is an African-style outdoor summer market located in Central Park, Winnipeg. The Market, which sells mainly locally produced food, is an example of community economic development. The Market has been operating since 2006 and has grown exponentially in the course of the past year, mostly through word-of-mouth and some advertising.

This Market is included on the GreenMap mainly because it is a great example of Community Economic Development at work. It is contributing to inner city revitalization by creating opportunities for the sharing of cultural and social experiences amongst community residents, and by attracting Winnipeggers from outside the neighbourhood. With these positive elements going for it and its demonstration of community values, the Market has huge opportunity to build more sustainable practices into its work. First this commentary discusses the features of the Market. At the end are some ideas for increased sustainability that would be achievable for the Market in the short term.

The Central Park area, which is roughly one square kilometer, is bound by Notre Dame Ave. to the north, Ellice Ave. to the south, Donald St. to the east and Balmoral St. to the west. It is one of the most densely populated communities in Winnipeg with about 14 000 people per km² according to Statistics Canada's 2001 Census.

Seventy per cent of all refugees who arrive in Winnipeg live downtown, mainly in the Central Park area. Fifty to sixty per cent of the population of Central Park is African, though there are also many Filipinos, Vietnamese, Arabs, Chinese, and Ojibwa who call Central Park home.

Market hours are Fridays 11 AM -9 PM and Saturdays 9 AM –3 PM.