The Friends of Chippewa Park Volume 5 Issue

Winter, 2009

P ARK N OTES
Annual General Message from the President
Meeting of Well, it’s that time of year again, time for the annual general
The Friends of meeting (please see left for information). There are new amend-
ments to vote on, and there will be 2-3 board positions up for re-
Chippewa Park newel, so be sure to come and vote on them as well. You may
also want to nominate someone for the opening positions. We
Please join us for The are always looking for and welcoming fresh input from our mem-
Friends of Chippewa Park’s bers!
General Meeting
Wednesday March 25th
The past year saw a lot of work done at the park. Some of
CAW Building it includes the finishing of the drainage and leveling/seeding of
112 West Gore St. the beach area. No contaminated creek water will be able to en-
7:00pm ter the bay, so we should not have any beach closures this year.
New amendments to vote The R.V. Park is nearing completion with full service camp sties
on, and elections to take and refurbished shower and change rooms being available by
place. mid June if all goes according to plan.
See you there!
There is more to report with this being presented at the
RENEW YOUR meeting. Please plan to attend and show your support for the
MEMBERSHIP!! park.

Remember Individual A family fun day is going to take place on June 28th spon-
Memberships are $10 a year sored by Bill Beavis and Family, so please mark this date on
and Family Memberships at your calendars as there will be lots going on that day (see spe-
$25 a year. cial Family Fun Day article later in this newsletter). There are
Please use the form on the many other really exciting events that we have planned so be
back page or call Bernice sure to keep your ear out.
Woods at 622-8300.
Hope you will all enjoy the wonderful changes that have
Stay in Touch been occurring here at Chippewa Park, and I look forward to
seeing everyone out at the Annual General Meeting!
Stay up to date with Chip-
pewa park by joining the
Chippewa Park group on Thank you,
facebook
www.facebook.com or fol- Bill Lafontaine —
low us on Twitter President
www.twitter.com.
Share stories, upload pho-
tos, learn the latest news!
 Page 2

Chippewa’s RV Park Opening for 2009 Season!

In the late1950s, Chippewa Park opened the origi-
nal RV Park, which was demolished in 2003 with
hopes of rebuilding immediately. After some delays
we were able to secure funding from Job Creation
Partnership, under Employment Ontario, and the
City of Thunder Bay. With these monies The
Friends of Chippewa Park have been working diligently to create a full service RV park with access to a
dumping station, water hookups, 50 amp services, showers and washrooms . A work crew of 7 plus 1
supervisor has been employed since June 2008 and our hopes are to have the RV Park open no later
than June 2009. Not only is the RV Park being restructured physically (renovated shower building, new
modern RV sites, approximately 90 larger conifers and deciduous trees) but it is being restructured to
offer a differentiated experience, capitalizing on personal service, the historical nature of Chippewa
Park itself, and its unique location in one of the most attractive parts of the region, along the shoreline
of Lake Superior. Our plan is to become more than just a typical RV Park. We plan to create an envi-
ronment that surpasses the standard fare for campgrounds in the area. If you’re looking for a beautiful
getaway, Chippewa Park is just around the corner, but you’ll feel miles away from home! Check out our
website www.chippewapark.ca for regular updates this spring.

2009 Internship
Director of Marketing and Events
The Friends of Chippewa Park are pleased to announce their newest em-
ployee Kelsey Agnew as the Director of Marketing & Events. This year
TFOCP accessed the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund’s Youth Internship
and Co-Op Program. This program is designed to give young northerners
the opportunity to build skills in preparation for a rewarding and successful
future career. The NOHF’s investment in Northern Ontario’s youth helps
generate a skilled workforce and provides employment right here in the
North. A big thank you to the NOHF for such a wonderful opportunity.

Greetings everyone! I am very excited to have been hired on for the next year, and plan to work very
hard to ensure TFOCP continue to have a positive impact this summer. I started my one year contract
on February 2nd, 2009. Currently I am working on developing a business plan to gain operating con-
trol of the concession; finalizing and implementing the RV Park’s marketing plan; organizing a booth at
the 2009 Wedding Show and; applying for two summer student positions. Other major projects that I
will be working on include re-introducing last year’s Adopt an Animal campaign; the initial planning of
Chippewa Park’s 90th Birthday Party; lending support to this year’s Sunday in the Park’s and many
more.
Tell Me Your Stories!
As a new resident of Thunder Bay I would love for you to share any stories or memories you have of
Chippewa Park. Please email them to chippewapark@tbaytel.net or mail them to 307 Euclid Avenue
Suite 473, Thunder Bay, ON., P7E 6G6. We will publish them in future newsletters, post them to our
web site, chippewapark.ca and place them in a book of remembrances at the interpretive centre.
 Page 3

Amendments to the By-Laws

The following are amendments that were recently ac-
cepted by The Friends of Chippewa Park’s executive, but
must also be voted upon by our members in good stand-
ing. As a member you will have the chance to vote and
voice your opinion on the following at the Annual General
Meeting (see 1st page).

• Insert the words “past president” before the word

“president” in clause 26.

26. The officers of the corporation shall be a past presi-

dent, president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, mem- Sundays in the Park
bership chair and publicity/marketing chair and any such
other officers as the board of directors may by by-law de-
Call For
termine. Any two offices may be held by the same person. Entertainment!
Officers need not be directors, or members. Any entertainer who is interested or
knows someone who is interested
• Include the following in clause 27: “The position of in becoming a part of our Sunday
past president shall be filled by the most recent concert series should e-mail The
president following the completion of his/her term of Friends of Chippewa Park at
office and shall remain in that position until the cur- Chippewa@tbaytel.net.
rent president retires. In the event that the most re- Series will run from Sunday June
cent president is unavailable or unwilling to perform 21st to Sunday August 30th.
the function of past president, the Board of Directors Buskers are welcome and
shall appoint the past past president to the position encouraged to come out and play
of past president.” during the concert series!
Let the music take you away!
27. The president and all other officers shall be elected at
an annual meeting of members from among the directors.

• Insert new clause 33 into By-Laws and all further

clauses be renumbered accordingly:

33. (New) The past president shall be a full voting member

of the Board of Directors and shall provide general and
specific advice to the President to assist them in the per-
formance of their duties.
Weddings At Chippewa
Sunday March 29th TFOCP will be
promoting Chippewa Park as a
Summer Wedding site. You can
find us from 11:00am-4:00pm at the
DaVinci Centre.

Déjà vu Day &
Reunions!
Relive the past this summer by par-
ticipating in Déjà vu Day! Work your
old job, or come out and watch every-
one else perform their old duties. You
certainly won’t want to miss the Lafon-
taine brothers manning the lifeguard
post! If you would like to sign up to
work at you’re old job, contact the
Friends of Chippewa Park and tell us
what you did in the good ol’ days. This
event will kick off a series of reunions
that will be held at Chippewa Park in
the summer of 2011—our 90th birth-
day.
• Day Camp Reunion
• Workers
• one for Sandy & Chippewa camp-
ers
• Park Staff
• Playground Leaders who trained
at Chippewa Park
• Girl Guides
• Tourists
If you can think of a group that should
be getting back together in 2011 please
let us know.
A facebook page has already been es-
tablished to advertise for the day camp
reunion—check it out via
www.chippewapark.ca! ‘Thunder Bay
Chippewa Park Day Camp Reunion’!
More information to come.
Page 4
Major Events at
Chippewa Park
There is always something to do at Chip-
pewa Park, whether it’s swimming, hik-
ing, having a picnic or visiting the wildlife
park and amusement rides! Here are
some major events that you won’t want
to miss out on:
Benny Birch’s Birthday Party
June 11th—15th
North American Dog Agility Council
June 19th-20th
Chippewa Fun Day
June 28th
Classic Cruisers
July 19th
K-9 Studio Agility Dogs Association
August 21st
Birthday Committee
Request
TFOCP have started preparing for
Chippewa Park’s 90th Birthday in
2011. We are looking for a couple
of interested members to join our
Birthday Committee to help plan
and organize the birthday party.
Anyone who is interested please
call or e-mail the Friends of Chip-
pewa Park! Tel: 807-623-5111 E-
Mail: Chippewa@tbaytel.net
Buildings Done
In the fall of 2008 the final park building was con-
verted to the historic half log sided natural wood
look. The toboggan slide chalet (or for the historians
out there - the Fort William Yacht Club) was clad in
half log siding by our Job Creation Partnership Crew.
New skirting was also installed and the building’s
foundations stabilized. This was the last of the public
park buildings to be treated this way. In addition,
during the summer and fall upwards of 13 buildings, including the 7 new cabins and the
pavilion were re-coated to continue the protection of the wood.

Friends Surpass $6 million

Last year’s construction program along
with the extensions into this winter have
resulted in The Friends of Chippewa Park
having surpassed the $6 million mark in
terms of funds raised and invested in this
fantastic family park. Funding from the
Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Founda-
tion, the City of Thunder Bay, Bruno’s
Contracting and Employment Ontario
under the Job Creation Partnership pro-
gram has taken us over the top. Consid-
ering that we only started our work in
2002 it has been a remarkable success
story in terms of a small, but committed
organization. But more needs to be done
and additional funding applications have
been submitted to a number of organi-
zations.
Explanation of Pictures

Above: Re-finished Toboggan Chalet

Left: Construction on the updated

wash/change rooms at the RV Park.
Looking good!
 Chippewa Fun Day!
On June 28th, Bill Beavis and his family have dedicated their time and energy into cre-
ating a Chippewa Fun Day event at Chippewa Park. The day will be filled with games
for all ages, free coffee and cake, over 400 prizes for the children and 60 prizes for the
adults—grand prize is a weekend for four at Sturgeon Lake Lodge!

Festivities start at 11:00am and run till 4:00pm.

Like many people, Bill Beavis fondly recalls the many summers he spent out at Chip-
pewa Park with family and friends. Riding the electric street car to the park to spend
the day, or watching the fireworks displays on Canada Day. When asked why Bill de-
cided to plan Chippewa’s Fun Day he said he wanted to show his support for The
Friends of Chippewa Park and his love for the Park. After working as the manager of
Parks and Recreation for 13 years, he certainly has an attachment to the park. With
much community support, promotion through out the city, and a three year commitment
for an annual fun day, the day is sure to promise FUN! Bill’s excitement for the fun day
is very infectious and has got myself, and the board members anticipating an incredible
success. We look forward to spending the day with you and your family!

Membership Benefits

Being a member to The Friends of Chippewa Park is a gratifying service—the money you con-
tribute goes into the overall success of Chippewa Park. In return we are able to host events
through out the summer and offer you and your family a chance to make memories. Tangibly,
you will be given: a membership card verifying your commitment; 10% off TFOCP merchandise
and; the opportunity to participate in the Good Life Program (see below)! To re-new your mem-
bership call Bernice at 622-8300. To become a first time member fill out the last page of the
newsletter!

Through the World Wildlife Fund, the Good Life Program gives us as members of TFOCP to
make “every hour earth hour”! Head to their website: http://thegoodlife.wwf.ca/Home.cfm to
sign up and at the bottom choose “Friends of Chippewa Park” as your group. Together we’ll
not only make a difference here at Chippewa Park but globally!
Being Green isn’t so hard when we’re working together :)
If you have any questions call or e-mail me, Kelsey, at 623-5111 or Chippewa@tbaytel.net.
The Beach is Done!
Thanks to a grant from the Ontario Great
Lakes Renewal Foundation along with a gener-
ous contribution of equipment from Bruno’s
Contracting and a group of dedicated volun-
teers we have completed all of the major
changes to the beach. This past fall we ex- Above and Below: Reconstruction of the beach.
tended the storm sewer to now capture all of Get prepared for endless swimming this summer!
the ditches flowing onto the beach. This
means that 100% of the runoff that used to en-
ter the swimming area is now diverted to the
north side of the rock dock. We removed the
toboggan slide hill and re-landscaped that
area. We also backfilled the remainder of the
beach, graded it, added topsoil and seeded
it. We expect the beach to be a sea of grass
once the park opens in May. We will be adding in a walking trail along the retaining wall in the
spring.

We Love Chippewa Park!

The Friends of Chippewa Park work together to revive this beautiful Thunder Bay destination to it’s
greatest potential. For generations friends and families have visited to park and cherish the memo-
ries that have been made. We encourage anyone who has a story to tell to e-mail us so we can ar-
chive it, post it on the website and circulate it in our newsletter. Your enthusiasm means everything!
A very big thank you to Jen Kennedy for sharing her thoughts. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, she
frequented the park as a child and has carried on the tradition by brining her 5 children to the park!

“Dear Friends of Chippewa Park

I’d like to send you my testimonial of my visits to the park over the years.
I love this park. I have camped here all my life as a child in the RV park and as an adult with
my kids in the rustic cabins and tent spots we have made so many memories over the years at
the park that we now come back each year for a week stay and lots of weekend visits. We are
also very happy about all the work being done and I am so excited to hear the old rustic cabins
are staying YAY!!! The animal park and rides are also an added bonus and a favorite of the
kids and they love the surprise ride and animal park tickets they receive when going to the
camp office to buy something keep that up!!! The view of Sleeping Giant is like no other and the
day camp spots have been home to many of our summer gatherings and birthday parties.
Keep up the good work and I cant wait for the 2009 season to start YAY CHIPPEWA PARK!!!

Jen Kennedy :)”

 Page 8

Buy a Board Campaign - $25/BOARD: For each board you will receive a charitable
tax receipt, a certificate suitable for framing & a small plaque mounted on an interior wall in the pavil-
ion under a heading indicating that these people are Friends of Chippewa Park and contributed to its
reconstruction. The name on the plaque will also be placed on our web site www.chippewapark.ca The
satisfaction of knowing that you helped restore this great park to its original glory.

Buy a Tree Campaign- $250/TREE: It started with Trees Thunder Bay and continues today. For $250
you can have a tree planted at Chippewa Park as part of our landscaping plan. To-date we have had
over 40 trees planted through the combined efforts of a number of organizations and volunteers.

Membership and Volunteers - $10/PERSON/YEAR, $25/FAMILY/YEAR: The strength of The

Friends of Chippewa Park comes from its members. We need to continue to show Council and other
Governments that we are a membership based organization. Joining us keeps that strength where we
need it. Volunteers are what drive the organization. From time to time we draw on our members to
help out—anything from supervising at events, to fund raising, to construction cleanup. Please indicate
how you are willing to help us.

Please fill in the attached form and mail it to The Friends of Chippewa Park, 307 Euclid Avenue
Suite 473, Thunder Bay, ON., P7E 6G6 along with a cheque made payable to The Friends of
Chippewa Park.

Please circle what your cheque is for: Membership Board Tree Donation

Name ___________________________________ Phone Number ____________________

(the name of the person who will receive the income tax receipt)
Address______________________________________________ Postal Code___________
City _____________________________________

Please print the name or names as you wish to see them on the plaque. Keep in mind that the plaques
are small and that the more names (and therefore letters) to be put on the plaque the smaller the print-
ing will become. You may wish to add a saying before the name such as “In the Memory Of”, or a title
‘ride operator’ as a way of celebrating your personal link to the park.

Board 1 __________________________________________________ (PRINT NAME)

Board 2 __________________________________________________ (PRINT NAME)
Board 3 __________________________________________________(PRINT NAME)
Board 4 __________________________________________________ (PRINT NAME)

No. Boards

Please feel free to use an additional piece of paper to order additional Boards. If you have any ques-
tions please call Bernice at 622-8300
I volunteer to: __________________________________________________________________________