Waterfront Development
The Waterfront's beauty is a product of decades of public investment, environmental remediation, and a long-term vision for recreating a people-focused waterfront: a community gathering place. Long-term attention towards the Waterfront has helped to shift perceptions towards investing in the downtown, providing a sense of confidence and stability for private investors and businesspeople.
The two main segments of the Waterfront development - Clergue Park and Roberta Bondar Park - are linked by a 1.5km Waterfront Walkway (boardwalk). Clergue Park provides comfortable seating and picturesque landscaping where individuals can enjoy the scenic views of the St. Marys River. The Brookfield Demonstration Pond provides an experiential learning opportunity to gain knowledge about local flora, fauna, and regional aquatic ecosystems (see photo below).
Roberta Bondar Park provides year-round event space for festivals and markets under the large tent, which has become a symbolic landmark. It contains a Public Marina that hosts boaters from around the world.
Public art installations include wind chimes fashioned from the horns of the M.S. Chief Wawatam, and Spirits Rising, a glass teepee installation embodying community spirit and unity. The design celebrates the multiple histories that have shaped our city. The layout creates a comfortable microclimate conducive to year-round use, shielding users from channel winds.
Sault Ste. Marie's Waterfront provides valuable green space for downtown residents and unique recreational opportunities. Fishing platforms along the boardwalk allow individuals to take advantage of the location Hemingway fished for rainbow trout on his holidays in the 1930s. The John Rowswell Hub Trail connects to the boardwalk making it easily accessible for cyclists and pedestrians across the city. The broad lawns and rolling hills provide comfortable rest areas that maximize the most attractive views of the river. The Sault Ste. Marie Waterfront has become a regional attraction for residents of Ontario and Michigan.