William Lake Provincial Park is a provincial park located in the Rural Municipality of Morton, in southwest Manitoba on Turtle Mountain (49°02′28″N 99°58′23″W / 49.041°N 99.973°W / 49.041; -99.973[1]). Its sister park, the much larger Turtle Mountain Provincial Park, lies to the west.[2]
The park is centered on William Lake (49°02′24″N 99°58′37″W / 49.04°N 99.976944°W / 49.04; -99.976944[3]). It is one of two lakes in Manitoba named William Lake; the other is located in Northern Manitoba near Little Limestone Lake.
Park amenities include a campground, a beach, and hiking trails.[2]
The trail route passes through the surrounding Turtle Mountain Community Pasture.[2] It is 6.9 kilometres (4.3 mi) in length and moderate in difficulty.[4] The trail climbs to the 'Turtle's Back', giving hikers views of the surrounding area.[4]
The community pasture is 89.33 square kilometres (34.49 sq mi) in size.[5] It is considered to be a Class VI protected area under the IUCN protected area management categories.[5] Since 2016, the pasture has been managed by the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures.[6]
The AMCP is a producer-led not-for-profit organization governed by an elected Board of patrons from pastures across the province. It was first organized by concerned pasture patrons in Manitoba after the federal government announced it would discontinue operating community pastures (formerly the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration). The transition process is now complete and AMCP is operating 20 community pastures as of 2016.