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.

Public Vote on the Park Name

In the spirit of ongoing meaningful consultation, the Town is presenting 3 options for the public to note on for the new Park Name;

Option 1: Thunder Bay Park

Geographic Context
The parklands are located along and face Thunder Bay Road, within the historic community of Thunder Bay, formerly part of Bertie Township. The name “Thunder Bay” appears on maps, voter lists, directories, and historical records; however, there is currently no signage identifying it as a distinct community. The area includes neighbourhoods such as North Shore Acres and Sunrise Point, as well as designated heritage properties, community associations, and recreational amenities that contribute to its character.

Historical Context
In the late 1900s and early 2000s, the lands operated as a recreational destination — first as Thunder Bay Golf and Beach Park and later as Ridgeway Shores Golf Course (see Appendix 2). Naming the park “Thunder Bay Park” would reflect the geographic location and acknowledge the broader community history associated with the area.

Option 2: Butler’s Rangers Park

Geographic Context
The park is located adjacent to Butler’s Drive, which references Butler’s Rangers. Historical records indicate that Butler’s Rangers operated primarily closer to Old Fort Erie during the American Revolutionary War.

Historical Context
Butler’s Rangers were active from 1776 to 1783 during the American Revolutionary War and are recognized in Niagara due to the settlement of United Empire Loyalists following the conflict. While some descendants later participated in the War of 1812, the two wars were separate events occurring decades apart.

Based on a review of the historical ownership of the lands at 3440 Thunder Bay Road, there is no identified evidence that the property was owned or used by members of Butler’s Rangers. Naming the park “Butler’s Rangers Park” would reflect the broader historical significance of the Rangers in the region rather than a confirmed site-specific connection.

Option 3: Claus Farm Park

Historical Context
In 1862, Jacob Claus emigrated from Germany and purchased 400 acres of land that included much of what is now Thunder Bay. The Claus family farmed the land, sold produce locally, harvested and stored ice during the winter for summer sale, and built a windmill along the lake. The lands where the park will be located would have formed part of this farmland. The original homestead and barn remain on the west side of Prospect Point Road, south of Ridgeway-by-the-Lake.

The property changed ownership multiple times. Five families held the land prior to the Claus family, followed by two additional families, and later two companies before the Town acquired the property. Naming the park “Claus Farm Park” would recognize one period in the site’s agricultural history within the broader sequence of past ownership

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.

Following the public open house, the Town reviewed and considered the public’s votes, comments, and concerns. Based on this input, the project will advance to the detailed design phase. During this stage, the selected concept will be further refined to ensure feasibility, functionality, and compliance with applicable standards and regulations. This phase will also prepare the project for construction and help ensure 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 fall 2026 contingent on the Thunder Bay Road Improvements, with completion anticipated by spring 2027. 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..