Top 5 Family-friendly Parks in TBay

Whether you’re a parent or just love that green-space energy, that map you keep in your head definitely includes public parks and playgrounds. A chance to play, explore and connect with others (maybe with a nice local coffee) is always a win. Lucky enough to have one of these great spots in your neighbourhood to visit on repeat? Taking a trip across town to discover a new one? These five family-friendly Thunder Bay parks are sure to deliver lots of fun.

Centennial Park – Natural adventure in Current River

751 Centennial Park Road

For nearly 150 acres of outdoor play, head to Centennial Park. This large riverside park in Thunder Bay’s north end has a variety of attractions, making it a great spot for a range of ages. One of the big draws for families is the new “woodland adventure” playground structure, built in 2022. Rather than the brightly coloured metal equipment we’re used to, this one is crafted with sturdy natural wood pieces for the swings, climbing poles, teeter totters, raised pods for the slides and more. (The wood is made with an untreated natural hardwood that’s naturally rot-resistant and not prone to splinter.) The ground is lined with wood chips and there are leafy trees at the perimeter to provide shade. There’s also a small zipline for additional fun! Head to the chalet for some indoor picnic time or grab a bite at the concession stand (open seasonally). There is a 6.5-acre off-leash dog park beside the main parking area off Arundel Street, including a 600-m trail loop through the woods.

As a nod to the area’s forestry history, the park also has simple log cabins and logging equipment tucked into the woods, recreating a 1910-era logging camp, and even a little Muskeg Express train that chugs around on a trail (free for five and under, $1.50 for age 6-14, $3.50 for age 15 and up, open in the summers). Animal lovers can visit small critters like goats, chickens and ducks at the barn (open seasonally). You can also go hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing right in the city, since Centennial is known for its multiuse trails that run along the beautiful rocky Current River and through the boreal forest. At the west end of the park, there’s a rocky rise called The Bluffs, where you can hike to get incredible views of Lake Superior, the Sleeping Giant and Pie Island. You can even rock climb ancient rock cliffs at The Bluffs!

Vickers Park – Classic fun and learning in Fort William

1700 Arthur Street East

People have been having fun in Vickers Park for more than a hundred years, and thanks to the installation of a new accessible playground in 2024, everyone’s able to play. The playground has a comfy rubber ground surface, ramps, swings that include accessible swings with a harness and an accessible merry-go-round, climbers, adult-sized outdoor exercise equipment like an elliptical trainer, a small climbing wall, a quiet dome, musical chimes and communication boards that feature ASL and Braille. Sun shades are part of the equipment and the park is filled with big leafy mature trees that are the perfect place to relax with a podcast, throw a ball and picnic. One park resident that’s been there for generations to play on: the turtle! This classic cutie is a core memory for countless TBayers and it’s at the heart of the new playground.

There is a flat gravel path that curves through the park—a good place for strolling, and come winter, bring your skates because part of the path is transformed into a 500-m skating loop. Be sure to check out the pretty pollinator garden and other colourful plantings, as well as the new Insect Friends Storywalk signposts throughout the 10-acre park. Featuring simple, vibrant designs by Indigenous artist . Every July, the City of Thunder Bay hosts a super-popular, free, family event, the Teddy Bears Picnic where families can groove to live music from family entertainers, be amazed by science shows, get their faces painted, or bring their stuffie to the Boo-Boo Bear Station for a checkup and repair.

Hillcrest Park – Incredible views and community life in Port Arthur

High Street, between Red River Road and Oliver Road

There’s a great community vibe at Hillcrest Park, set, as the name says, atop one of Port Arthur’s hills. A roughly triangular strip of greenery alongside the historic character homes on High Street, Hillcrest is renowned for its panoramic, much-photographed view over Lake Superior, the Sleeping Giant, the Thunder Bay waterfront, grain elevators and hillside homes. There’s a low stone wall running most of the length of the park and it’s a frequent spot for locals and visitors to stop with a take-out meal with a view. (There’s also an actual cannon if you want to reenact some pirate adventures.) Get your cardio in by running the steps up and down the hill (that connects to the cool Bay & Algoma neighbourhood’s shops and eateries or do a quick online search to see when summertime yoga classes are in session. The playground is newer and well-equipped with accessible equipment, and since it’s not huge you can always spot your kiddo. At the north end of the park, there’s a sunken garden with a rainbow of well-tended flowers all summer long, where you can wander with a camera or a sketch pad, or just kick back on the benches. There are also some historical elements: Hillcrest is home to a massive 2,000-lb non-operational fire bell from 1884 that was part of the Port Arthur Fire Brigade, and a War Memorial that displays a Universal Carrier, considered the workhorse of the Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) during World War II. Every Thursday evening in July, starting at 7:30, the Macgillivray Pipe Band (established 1917) breaks out the bagpipes for a concert. Into star-gazing or astrophotography? Hillcrest is a go-to for local astronomers.

Boulevard Lake – Lakeside rec in the North End

Lyon Boulevard West

Boulevard Lake is another historical local favourite in Current River. Surrounded by 650 acres of parkland, it’s a local must-do for outdoor rec from dragon boat racing and swimming to running and disc golf. A 5-km multiuse trail encircles the lake and offers forest and lake views, making it a top destination for running, walking, biking and dog-walking as well as charity fun runs. There are several public art installations along the route, as well as the Butterfly Remembrance Wall, a striking metal butterfly sculpture by local artist Luc Despres, and lots of vibrant gardens. At the south end of the lake you’ll find the Boulevard Lake Dam which is part of the trail, giving you the perfect reason to stop for a moment to watch the water cascading down to Lake Superior. (The dam is also illuminated with colourful lights at night to mark special occasions or days of awareness.) Want to see what happens when Frisbee meets golf? The 18-hole Birch Point Disc Golf Course is at the east side of the park, and basically instead of golf balls and clubs, you toss a disc into baskets at each tee. It’s free to play but it’s BYOD (bring your own discs—available for rent at local boutique The Loop). In the summer months the Thunder Bay Paddlesports Club is active, featuring dragon boat leagues for youth or adults, or you can cool off with a swim at one of three beaches. Or, you can play mini golf, or jump around on a floating bouncy castle at Splish Splash at the west side of the lake. The west side is also where you’ll find an epic new 11,000-square-foot playground. Installed in 2022, this is the largest inclusive playground in the city. With rubber ground surfacing, sun shades, swings, ramps, climbers, slides, musical instruments, see saws and more, it’s a definite hot spot for active fun for kids, and there is outdoor fitness equipment for adults too.

Chippewa Park – Hidden jewel by Lake Superior

2465 City Road

And in the “best-kept secret” category, we have Chippewa Park. Located right on Lake Superior (seriously—the bay is right there), this 270-acre park at the south end of the city is bordered by the lake to the east and Fort William First Nation and the iconic Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) to the west. There are lots of open grassy areas for playing ball or flying a kite, and the bay is shallow and sandy with a rocky breakwall path to explore. (Another public beach, Sandy Beach, is a two-minute drive to the south.) Relax on the beach or get your photo op at one of the oversized, bright red Muskoka chairs. In the summer, the small, kid-friendly amusement rides ($2.50-$5 per ride) are open (think charming, well-maintained and retro, not noisy and scary) featuring a tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars, roundabout boats and planes, and a lovingly restored 1915 carousel that will have you snapping Insta-worthy pictures, with gorgeously carved horses and painted, iconic TBay scenes. At the nearby playground, kids can enjoy the slides, swings and climbers against a fantastic view of the Giant. In the summer, grab some ice cream, fries, burgers and other casual eats at the concession stand, as well as check out events like live music on Sunday afternoons, the Kite Festival in June or dog agility trials. There’s also an RV campground and cabins for rent, or set up for the day at one of the free day-use campsites. Consider adding a visit to the Anemki Wajiw Lookout at Fort William First Nation ($10 per car at the toll house) to your day as well—it’s a stunning view over the whole city and you can also access the trailhead to the hike up the mountain here.