The Rural Municipality of Rosedale is located in western Manitoba. Rosedale is located along Provincial Trunk Highway 5. A number of Provincial Roads, including 261, 265, 357 and 471 also service the Rosedale area.
The municipality is approximately 140 kilometres northeast of Manitoba's second largest city, Brandon. The southern portion of Rosedale also incorporates part of the Town of Neepawa, which is the major service centre for several surrounding municipalities. The R.M. of Rosedale is primarily located along the eastern side of the Riding Mountain National Park escarpment, where many streams criss-cross the rolling landforms. The land is conducive to mixed farming. The R.M. extends 30 miles from Neepawa north to Kelwood.
This picturesque region of Manitoba is accentuated by a multiplicity of creeks and tributaries, which flow through Rosedale. The communities of Kelwood, Riding Mountain, Franklin, Eden and Birnie are all found within Rosedale.
History
Rosedale municipality was incorporated in 1884. Good farmland attracted immigrants from the British Isles, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Ukraine and Germany. Europeans, seeking forested areas with a good water supply, settled the western side of the R.M.
Economic Base
Farming plays the biggest role in the economic picture with most farms producing cereal, grain and oilseeds. Beef, dairy, hogs, sheep and horses also are an important component of the local agricultural scene. Most farms are diversified; some produce honey, eggs and/or vegetables. This R.M. consists of seven communities - Kelwood, Riding Mountain, Birnie, Eden, Mountain Road, Polonia and Franklin. Mail service is provided in all seven communities.
J.M. Young School at Eden provides education for approximately 130 students, K to grade 8. Other students in grade 9-12 attend at Neepawa. Some other industries are a machine shop at Eden, home-building in the Birnie area, as well as furniture manufacturing. A large number of residents are employed in Neepawa and to a smaller degree in Carberry.
Prominent employers in the area are schools, health care related services, implement dealers, garages, timber companies, local stores and agriculture depots. Driving time to these employment places is about 30-45 minutes.
While its communities offer a basic range of services and amenities, the Town of Neepawa is the major service centre for the region. Neepawa provides many educational and recreational needs for Rosedale and surrounding municipalities. With its prominent location along Provincial Trunk Highway 5, and rail access in the southern corner of the municipality, Rosedale is well connected to major markets to the south, west and east.
Major Attractions
Within the boundaries of the R.M. are two parks. Big Valley, one mile west of #5 Highway and Birnie Junction, provides a scenic and unique camping location deep in the valley with a clear, clean stream fed by springs. It's a favourite spot for many tourists and campers. The other park is Kerr's Lake northwest of Mountain Road. This picturesque lake features camping, fishing, boating and water skiing. No admission fee is charged at either park.
In June, the Polonia Community Club hosts the "Little Valley Jamboree" that sponsors children with disabilities. Polonia is one of the most beautiful valleys in Manitoba.
In August while Kelwood hosts an agricultural fair, Mountain Road hosts a spring and fall craft sale. Sightseers enjoy a panoramic view of the prairies from the higher elevated regions of the Rural Municipality.
In the winter, skating at Eden Rink and hockey are enjoyed by students and surrounding residents. Curling on artificial ice is available at Riding Mountain.
For the most part, the R.M. of Rosedale enjoys clean air and a good ample supply of water. Excellent health services are only a few minutes away at Neepawa. Rosedale, with its unique attributes, welcomes new residents who wish to retire or seek employment and make this community their home.
For more details call the R.M. office at 476-5414.
Facilities - Recreation, Parks, Culture
Within the boundaries of the R.M. are two parks. Big Valley, one mile west of #5 and Birnie junction, provides a scenic and unique camping location deep in the valley with a clear, clean stream fed by springs. It's a favourite spot for many tourists and campers.
The other is Kerr's Lake northwest of Mountain Road. This picturesque lake features camping, fishing, boating and water skiing. No admission fee is charged at either park.
In the winter skating at Eden Rink and hockey are enjoyed by students. Curling on artificial ice is available at Riding Mountain.
For more details call the R.M. office at 204-476-5414.
