Benchmark is an international design competition which culminates in permanent installations along the trail systems in the city of Winnipeg and beyond. The design challenge to reimagine the bench has attracted entries from all over the world: 5 continents, 21 countries, 7 provinces and 12 U.S. states.
Benchmark is an open competition, made possible through the generous support of: The David Penner Fund and Trails Manitoba.
Storefront Manitoba and Winnipeg Trails are launching the 2026 Call for Proposals to select a project for Grant Park High School, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The selected project will be part of the Grant Park - Indigenous Language Nodes and Outdoor Classroom project, located North of Grant Park High School, including the “food forest” that was planted starting in 2023 with the support from multiple levels of government and the Govt. of Canada’s 2 Billion Tree Program to educate youth regarding sustainability. The goal is to have the final Benchmark intervention be unveiled and open to the community in June of 2026. The 2025 Edition of Benchmark brings together several partners:
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Grant Park High School
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Winnipeg School Division
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Telus Friendly Future Foundation
Benchmark is an international design competition which culminates in permanent installations along the trail systems in the city of Winnipeg and beyond. The design challenge to reimagine the bench has attracted entries from all over the world: 5 continents, 21 countries, 7 provinces and 12 U.S. states.
As a warm introduction to BENCHMARK 2025, Storefront Manitoba and Winnipeg Trails invite you to join us on Saturday, September 20, at the Grant Park High School Grounds for an afternoon of tree planting and tree identification to get to know the site. There will be light refreshments and snacks as we connect with friends, community, and the team behind Benchmark!
