THUNDER BAY – Fort William Waterfront is a beautiful place. There is a quiet serenity in the winter, walking along the walkway of what almost appears to be a forgotten part of Thunder Bay’s tourism attractions. While the snow is cleared all over the city, and millions have been invested in Prince Arthur’s Landing, the gem that is the Fort William Waterfront is left mostly undisturbed.

Fort William Waterfront – Beautiful and Forgotten?

The serenity on a Sunday morning walk through the snow takes away from potential of the park. The snow has not been cleared for weeks. 

The snow along the boardwalk, and the roadway into the waterfront along the Fort William Kam Park is a place where little cleaning up of garbage happens. Under one of the trash bins, was a Tim Horton’s cup from Christmas time.

Thunder Bay has some amazing attractions and walkways. We have a history that ties us to the waterways, the Great Lakes and the river. 

Leaving the park without any attention however sends a message that our community likely shouldn’t be sending. All it would take would be a little attention from city crews to make the Fort William Waterfront a year round attraction.

Likely, back in the day, when it was Fort William and Port Arthur, before Thunder Bay there is no way that Fort William would have had its waterfront left in the condition that Kam River Park is left today. 

By contrast, over at City Hall, the snow is cleared right down to the concrete. Perhaps in our city it is time for the Mayor, Councillors and the City’s Tourism Manager to ‘go walkabout’ a few blocks from City Hall? Doing so, they would see that there is enormous potential on the Fort William Waterfront. 

We are a city of beautiful parks, they should at least be kept up so residents and tourists can enjoy them.

James Murray

All Aboard? The VIA train waiting for rail’s return