East of Pembina Highway and south of Lord Roberts and Riverview, Wildwood fits snugly in a heavily treed oxbow of the Red River. Initially settled by William Pearson in the early 1900s, the area is best known for the Wildwood Park subdivision — one of only two Winnipeg neighbourhoods built on the Radburn system of residential super-blocks.

VELOCITYWG #9 is “Wildwood” by Senior Designer, Colette Boisvert

Wildwood Park was developed in the 40s by Hubert Bird, and designed by Winnipeg’s famous Green Blankstein Russell (the firm behind the Winnipeg International Airport, City Hall, the Centennial Concert Hall, Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, and others). Like West Norwood, houses in Wildwood Park have no front street, only a sidewalk and a back lane, giving the area an unusual and wonderfully park-like feel.

Perched on Wildwood’s southernmost point is St. John’s-Ravenscourt School, a prestigious university prep-school for girls and boys. Founded as the Red River Mission School in 1820, the school has undergone considerable changes in its near-two century history (Ravenscourt was once located in Armstrong’s Point). The school is an anchoring landmark in the area, and its fine, wooded grounds and secluded castle-quality make it the closest thing Winnipeg has to Hogwart’s.

From Pembina, (thermos of hot cocoa firmly in hand) take Riverwood or Waterford Avenue up to the Viscount Alexander School on Point Road. Stroll up North Drive around the scenic Wildwood Golf Course and down again to SJR (Wave to any local Muggles you might encounter). From South Drive, cut up through the middle of Wildwood Park, marvel at the sheer number of trees and picturesque homes, and then cross up and over to Manchester Boulevard.

Wonder why more neighbourhoods aren’t built on the Radburn model.

Repeat as necessary.

VELOCITYWG is a weekly design project: simple exercises in unfettered creativity with a common theme that’s near and dear to our hearts: celebrating the streets, suburbs, and cityscape of Manitoba’s capital.

VELOCITYWG, Rebranding One Great City, continues next week.

Comments? jay@velocitybranding.com