Kiwanis Park opens in Sault Ste. Marie after $360K revitalization

Sault Ste. Marie's Rosedale Park renamed Kiwanis Park after $180K club–funded upgrades, part of $280K citywide park revamp.

Children in Sault Ste. Marie will have a fresh place to play this summer after a major park revitalization, now bearing the name of the group that led its transformation.

Kiwanis Park, formerly Rosedale Park, officially opened Wednesday following a $360,000 renovation funded by local Kiwanis clubs, donors, and in-kind work from the city. The upgrades include new playground equipment, trees, benches, and improved pathways.

The Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore and Kiwanis Club of Sault Ste. Marie contributed more than $180,000, with additional support bringing the total project cost to nearly $360,000.

“It’s really a rewarding thing to think about,” said Serge Viau, member and former president of the Lakeshore club.

“When you do things as a council member or a charity, you never know who at the other end is receiving what you’re doing. With a park like this, you will hear back – you’ll have a lot of children coming.”

The city is prioritizing park upgrades across the community, with Parkland and Westwood parks set to reopen with celebrations in June.

“A lot of our park infrastructure is aged,” said Brent Lamming, the city’s director of community services and deputy CAO.

“We’re trying to spread improvements out across the community so there’s good access for everyone.”

Mayor Matthew Shoemaker praised the collaboration, calling recreational facilities “vital to building a healthy, active, and connected community,” in a news release.

Christopher Coccimiglio, the current president of the Lakeshore club, said the park provides “a welcoming and inclusive space where children and families can create lasting memories.”

The project also received support from Childcare Algoma and other community partners.