Park Context

The park located at 3440 Thunder Bay Road is situated within the Ridgeway-Thunder Bay neighborhood. It encompasses approximately 1.27 hectares and is bordered by a stormwater management pond and a residential area consisting of single-detached homes.

Park Name

Town parks play a vital role in fostering community identity and a sense of place. The selection of park names is a thoughtful process that reflects the Town’s commitment to recognizing geographical, historical, and cultural significance. Proposed names are evaluated based on their uniqueness, relevance to the community, and alignment with the Town’s values.

Community consultation is a key element of the park naming process. Residents and stakeholders were notified of the proposed park name and were given 30 days to provide comments and feedback.

In response to public input favoring a shorter name, the Town of Fort Erie is preparing to propose the name Thunder Bay Park for the neighbourhood park located at 3440 Thunder Bay Road.

Park Design

As an initial step, the Town conducted a preliminary round of community engagement to gather input from residents on the amenities and facilities they would like to see in this neighborhood park. This process is essential to ensuring the final design reflects the community’s needs and preferences.

Community Engagement

The preliminary round public feedback has been collected and analyzed, it was used to develop multiple concept designs, each illustrating different potential layouts and features for the park. These concepts will then be presented to the public, who will have the opportunity to review them and vote on their preferred design.

The Town of Fort Erie will be hosting an in-person Open House to showcase concept designs and gather public feedback through a voting process.

The event will take place on Monday, August 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Fort Erie Public Library – Crystal Ridge Branch, located at 89 Ridge Rd. S., Ridgeway, ON L0S 1N0.

Following the selection of a preferred concept, the project will advance to the detailed design phase. During this stage, the chosen concept will be refined to ensure feasibility, functionality, and compliance with applicable standards and regulations. This phase will also prepare the project for construction, ensuring that the final design aligns with the Town’s vision for a well-planned and thoughtfully designed community space.

Park Construction

The construction of the park is scheduled to commence in spring 2026, with completion anticipated by fall 2026. Upon completion, the Town will host a grand opening ceremony to officially celebrate the park’s inauguration and welcome the community to enjoy the newly developed space.

The Town would like to thank all residents who completed the surveys and attended the Public Open House to vote on their preferred design. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and plays an important role in helping the Town design parks that reflect the needs of the community and contribute to a stronger, more connected Fort Erie.