Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been plenty of progress at Chippewa Park.
Secretary and Project Manager Iain Angus with the Friends of Chippewa Park says along with removing the derelict retaining wall along the beach, not much work is left on the C.W. Parker Carousel.
“We continue to work towards the complete restoration of it by the end of May of this year, if all goes well,” says Angus. “Carving and painting continues throughout the winter along with the construction of two wheelchair accessible chariots and the restoration of the original Eli gas engine.”
The engine is the original one that came with the carousel back in 1935.
Organizers are hopeful they can go ahead with the parks’ 100th anniversary celebrations this summer.
Cathy Sawicki, Co-Chair of the Friends of Chippewa Park 100th Anniversary Committee, told Council Thursday night there are plans in place in case the pandemic impacts the festival.
“Ranging from modifying the marketing plans to exclude the United States, along with adhering to restrictions on public gatherings if the festival goes ahead. Worse comes to worse we’ll post-pone events until the summer of 2022,” notes Sawicki.
The celebration is scheduled for July 29th through until August 2nd.
