THUNDER BAY – Organizers at Chippewa Park came together earlier this week to announce a range of activities and services available at the park this summer.
The media conference highlighted several key programs that they will be offering.
The campground opens on May 31. Rides will be operating from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends starting June 1.
Iain Angus, secretary of the Friends of Chippewa Park, said the first priority will be opening the rides and the tourist camp.
Angus grew up attending events at Chippewa and said it has always been his goal to put on these events that bring many people out to the park.
He said the kite festival on June 9 and then the children’s festival will be on June 16.
“We’ve got an art workshop at the end of June and the sandy beach lifeguards begin on June 28,” he added.
Angus said it is crucial that organizers ensure Chippewa is well used.
“A lot of times people are staying at the cabins for the weekend or in the RV park so they can participate. It ends up reducing the overall cost of the taxpayer to operate the park.
“It’s a win, win for everyone.”
Chippewa Park was able to secure a $5,000 annual grant from recreation and culture. They will use the grant to hire between nine and 11 local bands to perform two 45-minute sets, Angus said.
“People bring their lawn chairs and sit out in the sun or the shade and, they really enjoy the entertainment.”
Angus said it will be a great selection of artists and bands.
Chippewa is a 300-acre park that has approximately two miles of pathways. It has rides, a tourist camp, and a large pavilion. The park includes two beaches and a great view of the Sleeping Giant and Lake Superior.
“Pretty much all the rides are ready to go,” said Tom Forsythe, supervisor - parks south with the City of Thunder Bay.
“We ran into a little bit of a problem with the carousel. We had to get a new canopy manufactured over the winter, unfortunately when we put it up it didn’t fit right.”
Assembling a carousel is a four-step process and the canopy is step two, he said. However, he is optimistic that it will be a short-term issue, and they will have it up and running soon.
The goal is to have the issue resolved and the carousel running in time for the kite festival on June 9.
Over the past winter, cabins have been made more accessible, Forsythe said.
“There are seven cabins and each cabin has two queen sized beds. A ceiling track was installed in each cabin, above one of the queen beds. This will allow people who use a wheelchair to successfully transfer from their chair to the bed,” he said.
Forsythe said his wife has a disability and that was something he noticed a need for.
“Everybody needs the opportunity to be able to go out and camp,” he said.
You can find a list of events and more information on Chippewa Park’s website.
