ELLA-VATED TRAILS

Tracing prairie trails through memory, discovery, and home.

By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller

Friends of Madge Lake, Building Community, One Project at a Time

Madge Lake is more than a summer getaway. For many, it is a second home, a place for family traditions, and a hub for community connection. At the heart of keeping that spirit alive is the Friends of Madge Lake, a volunteer driven organization that has been raising funds, rallying neighbours, and supporting projects that make the park better for everyone.

I sat down with Barb McLean, Chair of the Friends of Madge Lake, to learn more about their work, their challenges, and their vision for the future.

Enhancing Health, Wellbeing, and Community

The mission of Friends of Madge Lake is simple, to enhance and support health and wellbeing through community projects. Their work spans everything from playgrounds and trail maintenance to arts and culture. Recent highlights include:

• New playground equipment built with the help of 21 volunteers who braved the rain to assemble it.
• Murals on the Recreation Hall doors, painted by a young local artist who had just graduated high school.
• Flood mitigation along the Trans Canada Trail, ensuring cyclists can ride from Madge to the Manitoba border without getting stuck in swampy spring water.
• The upcoming bocce ball courts, adding to an already vibrant recreation hub with tennis, basketball, and pickleball.

Even the mud could not stop volunteers from making the playground a reality.

Community members braved the rain to build the new playground at Madge Lake.

A vibrant mural by a young artist now brightens the Rec Hall doors.

A Partnership Approach

One of the group’s biggest strengths is working hand in hand with partners like the provincial park and local clubs. As Barb explained, “We do not own anything. Every project has to be done cooperatively.” That has meant building relationships with the park, the Nordic Ski Club, and other local organizations.

This cooperative model ensures that projects not only get built, but are also maintained for the long term.

Funding and Support

Friends of Madge Lake relies almost entirely on community fundraising and donations. Sometimes it is golf tournaments or family bingo nights, other times it is the ever popular Treats and Treasures store, where hoodies remain the best selling item year after year.

Treats and Treasures is the heart of summer shopping at Madge Lake.

Barb noted that many supporters “like to know that there is a project,” and once they do, they are quick to donate money, time, or both.

Looking Ahead

The board is always balancing big dreams with practical realities. Long term visions include:

• Exploring ways to expand and enhance trail experiences so more of the park’s natural spaces are accessible for hikers and bikers.
• Expanding arts and culture programming to engage youth and schools.
• Building stronger partnerships with local First Nations and Métis communities, recognizing their long history with the park.

As Barb shared, “Whether it is trails, heritage, or culture, the goal is always about bringing people together to enjoy this place in new ways.”

A carved bear welcomes hikers on the trails around Madge Lake.

How to Get Involved

If you would like to support Friends of Madge Lake, you can:

• Visit Treats and Treasures to shop local products and merchandise.
• Follow the group on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
• Donate directly through their website or volunteer for upcoming projects.

Closing Reflection

Friends of Madge Lake shows what is possible when a community takes pride in its park. From playgrounds to murals to trail connections, every project leaves a mark not just on the landscape, but on the people who live, camp, and play here.

“It does not magically look good over a lifetime, it takes people who care.” Barb reminded me. And clearly, Madge Lake has plenty of those people.