The community is invited to come out Saturday to take part in the first annual Chippewa Creek EcoPath Festival, organized by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.
It will be an opportunity for people who enjoy Chippewa Creek and the EcoPath, or those who haven’t walked the path, to explore and learn about the environment, and how important the creek is to the city.
“Opening ceremonies take place Saturday, September 22, at 10 a.m. at the Trailhead sign on McGaughey Avenue, off Fisher Street near the by-pass,” said Sue Buckle, NBMCA Manager Communications and Outreach.
Thirteen community groups, organizations, businesses and educators will have booths lined up along the EcoPath, stretching from Thomson Park to Second Avenue with interactive displays and activities for people of all ages.
“People can learn about aquatic insects, they can participate in Indigenous storytelling and songs, paint their own folk art on rocks or wood, create a pinecone bird feeder, or bee hotel, plant a shrub to protect the creek, and much more,” said Buckle.
Permanent outdoor information kiosks will provide additional information about the watershed and the creek.
“Chippewa Creek is an important asset to our city. It flows from the escarpment right down to Lake Nipissing at Amelia Beach. The City of North Bay, the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority and numerous community organizations, groups and individuals have been working to restore and protect the creek,” said Buckle.
“The city has invested in erosion control, and realignment to make it a more natural meandering stream, done partly for the health of the creek, but as well as for the protection of people and property from flooding.”
Saturday’s festival wraps up at 3 p.m.
