Thunder Bay Parks & Gardens
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide to Parks & Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Following on the shores of Lake Superior, Chippewa Park spralls for 270 acres. This scenic park includes enough for a whole day's outing with such attractions as the 10-acre wildlife haven, amusement park, playground, picnic area, camping and log pavillion with snack bar. Wildlife exhibit open from June to Labour Day.
Often referred to as the Niagara of the north, Kakabeka Falls are worth a visit in their own right. Water gushes over a 40-metre (131-foot) steep wall of a canyon creating a thundering display. Visitors can enjoy the view from various vantages along the boardwalk and observation pods. Swimming, camping, picknicking and hiking are all nearby. A hiking trails exists whereby visitors can retrace the steps made by voyageurs on the fur trade route.
The Sleeping Giant is part of a peninsula leading from the north of Thunder Bay out on to Lake Superior. It resembles a giant sleeping figure. There are many trails and back roads, for biking and hiking.
Marina Park
Enjoy various viewpoints throughout this park situated for great views of the Thunder Bay harbour with the Sleeping Giant as its backdrop. A boardwalk, picnic facilities and recreation make for an enjoyable visit. During the summer, visitors can also enjoy a restaurant, gift store, Children's museum, Model Rail Club, Lakehead Visual Art Gallery and the Canadian Northern Railway Station.
Hillcrest Park
A fine park with great views of the city and harbour. Enjoy the sunken garden featuring more than 70 varieties of flowers.
Boulevard Lake Park
Located in the north of Thunder Bay, this park contains Bluffs Scenic Lookout with an excellent panorama of the city and the Sleeping Giant. The park is surrounded by forest and parkland. There is a supervised beach area, boat rentals and miniature golf. There are 5km of paved trails for bicycles, walking, jogging and in-line skating.
Centennial Park
This park is on 141 acres. It has more than 30km of biking, hiking and skiing trails. Trout fishing and swimming are available in the river. There is also a museum, a replica of an early 1900s logging camp, and a narrow-guage railway ride. In the winter there are sleigh rides and a toboggan slide.
Centennial Botanical Conservatory
This facility has 3 display houses. The main central room is for tropical plants, the west wing is for arid plants and the east wing for seasonal flower shows.
Soroptimist International Friendship Gardens
The Soroptimist International Friendship Gardens were created as a Centennial gift to Canada. Comprised of 18 gardens, each reminiscent of the group they were created by (Canadian, Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, Filipino, Finnish, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indian, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Scottish, Slovakian, Slovenian and Ukranian) the Friendship Gardens are surrounded by two man-made lakes.
