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City splash pads, Happy Rolph’s, the Lakeside Park Carousel and more are set to welcome residents and visitors to the heart of Niagara as the May long weekend ushers in the unofficial start to summer.
With promising weather in the forecast, the City of St. Catharines encourages everyone to enjoy long weekend fun at City facilities open for the season.
Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm
Starting Friday, May 16, the farm animals will be ready to meet visitors to Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Located at 650 Read Rd. along the shores of Lake Ontario, Happy Rolph’s features up-close experiences with farm animals, diverse birds and plants; an accessible playground; access to the waterfront; trails and more. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/HappyRolphs.
Lakeside Park Carousel
The Lakeside Park Carousel kicks off a summer of spins at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17. Still only 5 cents a ride, the historic carousel, a Charles I.D. Looff original featuring 68 hand-carved animals, will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends and holidays until June 30.
Visitors will enjoy the first rides of the season free-of-charge all day on opening day (May 17) thanks to the Friends of the Carousel, the volunteer group that partners with the City on caring for the carousel and its animals .
The carousel’s daily schedule begins Tuesday, July 1 and runs until Monday, September 1. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/carousel.
Splash pads
City splash pads at Bogart Street Park, Catherine Street Park, Lester B. Pearson Park and West Park open for the season Friday, May 16 and will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the summer. With installation near completion, the new splash pad at Secord Woods Park will not be opening this weekend. Stay tuned for an opening date announcement coming soon. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/SplashPads.
St. Catharines Farmers Market
Live music returns Saturday, May 17 to kick off summer at the St. Catharines Farmers Market. Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, the Farmers Market expands outside with more vendors and more fun all summer long.
Enjoy live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and meet local groups and organizations as part of the Community Engagement Series on Saturdays. This weekend features Avenue Inn on the Market Square Stage and community groups the Mushroom Project and the Niagara African Caribbean Culture organization. Learn more here at stcatharines.ca/market.
Garden City Golf Course
Garden City Golf Course is open all weekend, including holiday Monday, and off-season rates are in effect until Saturday, May 31. Tee times are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily barbecue features at the clubhouse patio and on-course beverage cart also start up this weekend. The par-60 executive course is located at 37 Lincoln Ave. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/Golf.
St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
Make a splash this weekend in the pools at the St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre. Leisure Swims, lane swims and more are available at various times Saturday and Sunday. Find advance online registration, swim schedules, admission requirements and more at stcatharines.ca/swimming.
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre
Explore exhibits, watch ships from the viewing platform, explore Discovery Park and more at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre. Admission is by donation and museum will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holiday Monday.
Beginning May 20, the museum will stay Open Late, until 8 p.m. every Tuesday until October 1. Visit stcatharinesmuseum.ca for an event calendar with more information about Open Late programing.
Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre
Hit the ice and cool off at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre. Public skating, stick and puck, shinny and more are available at various times Saturday and Sunday. Find public skating programs and schedules and more at stcatharines.ca/skating.
Parks and trails
City parks and trails are open for the season. Explore approximately 1,000 acres of parks and trails this summer and discover gardens, open greenspaces, monuments and more. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/Trails.
Morningstar Mill
The dam replacement project at Morningstar Mill and Decew Falls continues and access to the site remains closed to the public. This project includes restoration work to the mill and the miller’s house, as well as work making the site more accessible. Learn more at stcatharines.ca/MorningstarMill.
Closures
The following City facilities will be closed on Victoria Day - Monday, May 19:
- City Hall and City administrative offices
- City arenas
- City community centres and older adult centres
- Kiwanis Artificial Turf Field and City outdoor sports fields
- Morningstar Mill
- St. Catharines Enterprise Centre
- St. Catharines Kiwanis Aquatics Centre
- Victoria Lawn Cemetery administration office (visitation is always available from dawn to dusk)
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