Member Report
November 14, 2018
Storefront Manitoba and the Winnipeg Trails Association launched the 2018 / 2019 Benchmark Design
Competition, an international competition that aims to challenge and transform the idea of the ‘common’
bench and create landmarks along Winnipeg’s trail systems. The future locations of the winning designs
will be along The Great Trail (TCT) which is made up of hundreds of local trails, together forming the long-
est recreational trail in the world.
“Design is a chance to take our most valuable resource - time - and use it to weave together the intangible
magic of human creativity and special public places. Benchmark is one of those projects that gets people
to pay attention and this year we are excited to have two locations along The Great Trail (TCT) in the
mix. For almost two decades, Winnipeg Trails has lent its support to the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) vi-
sion. Our immediate priorities for the TCT in Winnipeg include upgraded wayfinding, top-notch infra-
structure and, of course, placemaking which is what Benchmark has done so well for the past two years.
We can’t wait to see what happens.“
Anders Swanson, Executive Director,
Winnipeg Trails Association
2018 Benchmark winning design, located
along the Pandora Pathway
Benchmark 2018 / 2019 is supported by the City of Winnipeg and Trails Manitoba.
Annual Report -2018 Year in Review
p.7