THUNDER BAY – A familiar toot-toot is once again echoing through Centennial Park, as the Muskeg Express returned to service.
The mini train, which has long delighted children with short rides through the forest at Centennial, re-opened in June and expanded to summer hours on Friday.
It will operate Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the Labour Day weekend, with rides typically starting every 15 to 20 minutes.
Children five and under ride free, those aged 6 to 12 pay a dollar, while adult tickets are $2.50.
The express, originally donated by a lumber company that had used it to haul workers and supplies through the bush, has been plagued with operational issues in recent years, putting it largely out of service since 2017.
Cory Halvorsen, parks and open spaces manager with the city, said residents have enthusiastically embraced it’s return.
“Between COVID and other times when we were out of service, we’re looking forward to having a full season right to the end of August,” he said. “It’s great for the park.”
Amanda Hardy, who came to Centennial with her daughter Paisley to ride the Muskeg Express on Friday, said it’s a welcome addition to local recreation options.
After a year on maternity leave during which most family attractions were closed due to COVID-19, she said she’s glad to see the city reopening rides at Centennial and Chippewa parks.
“It was a rough year to be on mat leave,” she said. “Now we get to enjoy the weather and things like this – we’re excited to go to Chippewa and just get out with the kids.”
For Carlie Drewes, a trip to Centennial Friday was a stroll down memory lane.
“We were super excited [to see] things from when we were little coming back,” she said. “I see they’re building the new park. To bring our kids here where we grew up is super cool.”
Riders on the Muskeg Express will catch a glimpse of another exciting development at Centennial, as crews construct the park’s new playground.
The expanded playground will feature a forest zipline, climbing structures, and other new attractions based around a woodland theme.
Construction on the playground should be complete by the end of July, Halvorsen estimated, after which inspections will be conducted. The city had originally estimated construction would be complete by early July.
