THUNDER BAY – Waverley Park, Thunder Bay’s oldest park and the province's second oldest park, had its 150th anniversary picnic on Sunday.
David George Noonan, president of the coalition for Waverley Park, said it’s a big celebration they have put together.
“We thought we would bring in the Roy Coran Big Band and we'll have Rodney Brown performing today with us.
“We brought in other forms of entertainment today too, like the Women In Silk. We have games for the kids to play, and the Thunder Bay Clown Club."
Noonan said everyone at the park understands that green spaces are important and something to celebrate.
“There are several hundred people here today. It's just very exciting - the things we can do with this park,” he said.
Noonan said it's a place where there's a lot of potential.
“There's a lot of fun to be had here, but it's also a place where people have demonstrations, a place where people have their graduations and weddings. This park is special to so many of us.”
99 years ago, in 1925, the Canadian Women’s Club held a Cenotaph at Waverley Park in memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War.
Concerts are held every Monday evening starting July 8 at 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 26.
Sherry Simons, and her granddaughter Aubrey Simons love coming to Waverley Park.
“It’s wonderful, there’s always so many things to do around here,” Sherry said.
Sherry has lived in Thunder Bay most of her life, and said she used to slide down the hill at Waverley Park on a cardboard box after church as a child.
“It has got to stay a park, I have been coming here for a long time,” she said.
Aubrey thought it was pretty awesome that she now plays at a park where her grandmother played when she was Aubrey’s age.
“Thunder Bay is a cool place to spend the summer,” Sherry said.
