Category: Community Events

Volunteer for Cookie Ski Scavenger Hunt – February 28

We need people to staff the cookie station at Champlain Park where participants can get their cookie and a stamp on their cookie card, from 10:45 to 15:00. The person Fresh Air Experience had was no longer available. If anyone wants to pitch in, it would be appreciated and they may get a free cookie. 😁

Interested folks can contact Patrick at freshair.patrick@gmail.com or 613-619-2592.

K-Trail Community Cookie Ski

Hosted by Common Empire and Fresh Air Experience, this FREE, fun, accessible group ski happens February 28th at 11:00 AM on the Kìchì Sìbì Trail. This is a scavenger-hunt–style ski, with cookie stations set up along the route between Westboro Beach and Mill Street Brewery.

Cookie stations will be spread along the Kichi Sibi Trail, so you can start anywhere – no set route or official start point. Cookies will be out at stations starting at 11:00 AM (see Strava map).

Skiing is encouraged, but any active transportation is welcome. The goal is simple: have fun, get active, and eat cookies.

[A cookie with rainbow sprinkles on skis, on the winter trail near the Parliament buildings, made by ChatGPT AI]

More information about how the scavenger hunt works is at https://www.commonempire.com/k-trail-community-cookie-ski. Cookies are limited, so please RSVP on Strava to help us plan.

Bright Ideas Postponed – Spring

Looks like it’s going to be on April 28. More later…

We’ve postponed the Bright Ideas meeting (where we ask for ideas from our neighbours to help spend money to improve the neighbourhood) from February 24th to later in the spring, since we need more time to get things ready and coordinate speakers from various places.

From the January newsletter…

Ever wonder how community events, projects or park improvements get pitched, approved and funded? Join us for a special evening at the Fieldhouse some time in the spring to discover how you can turn your ideas into reality and help make a positive impact on Champlain Park.

This is the first time the community association is hosting a meeting like this, and we’re keen to talk about how to bring ideas to life. The evening will be divided into two sessions, with a refreshments break in between:

Part 1: The Ins and Outs of Project Funding

We’ll explain how community projects and park improvements receive funding and support. We’ll hear from our municipal park planners on how the city handles park improvements and from our volunteer Fieldhouse coordinator.

Part 2: How to Pitch Your Project

We’ll walk through the steps of submitting a proposal and provide guidelines on types of initiatives that fit association objectives. We’ll share examples of successful community projects and give practical tips on how best to present ideas. We’ll finish with a brainstorming session.

This is also a great opportunity to meet other passionate individuals who might want to join forces on a project or event. You never know — you could find the perfect team in one swoop.

Come to learn, be inspired, ask questions, and connect with others about how to launch ideas to make our community even better!

For more info, contact board member Joanne Chianello at chianello.joanne@gmail.com.

Ping Pong, Board Games – Thursdays

Just a reminder that there are Thursday night games at the field house. Table tennis on the first (that’s tomorrow!) and third Thursday of the month, Board and other kinds of games on the second Thursday. 7pm to 9pm.

  • Kids should be accompanied by adults
  • We now have 3 ping pong tables, and plenty of regular tables too for board games.
  • Bring your paddle & balls but we do have extra paddles and balls. Same for games, if there’s one you particularly want to play then bring it!
  • There is no cost but you do have to be a member of the Champlain Park community association.
[20250206 First Meeting of the Ping Pong Club at Champlain Park]
First meeting of the Ping Pong Club at the Champlain Park Fieldhouse, February 6, 2025.
Playing Ticket to Ride at Games Night at the Champlain Park field house, January 8 2026.

Winter Carnival – January 24

Winter Carnival 2026 on Saturday, January 24, at Champlain Park and Fieldhouse, noon to 3pm

It’s back…with hot chili, cool music, a bon fire, the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail team, and fun sleigh rides! Everyone is welcome to attend the Carnival, whatever the weather. Among the activities:

  • 12-3: bonfire and food in the fieldhouse.
  • 1-3: horse drawn sleigh rides and outdoor games in the park (children must be supervised by adults).
  • 1:30-3 pm: music in the Field house with locally based Jazz, David Constant and friends.

Admission, sleigh rides, hot chocolate and coffee are FREE.

Food and Beverages: There will be a Chili cookoff, baked goodies, juice, hotdogs and more for sale in the Fieldhouse kitchen. Please bring a little cash. Debit/credit machines are NOT available.

The Kichi Sibi Winter Trail team will be out for the fun including a display with snowmobiles and grooming equipment. More info about the trail can be found at www.wintertrail.ca

Volunteers make it happen! We need help with setup and cleanup, lunch counter, ticket sales, and donations of baked goods. Call out for chefs to bring their best chili dish of course! Please contact Erin and Kelly for more info at erintopping@hotmail.com.

Rink will be operating as per normal. The outdoor obstacle course popular with children and youth will be running again this year as well for the duration of the carnival. As an indoor event, organizers urge everyone to follow public health guidelines.

[Sleigh Ride at 2023 Winter Carnival]
Sleigh with Winter Carnival 2023 visitors on the former Pontiac Street Christmas Tree crossing. Photo by AGMS.

Games Night Reminder – January 8

Just a reminder that it’s time for fun and board games at the Field House, starting this year on Thursday January 8 from 7-9 pm and continuing on the second Thursdays of each month. Bring your own game or try someone else’s favourite. See the original post for details.

[Huge Rummikub tile collection]
One unlucky player in our Rummikub game couldn’t make a starting move (lay down 30 points of tiles) for maybe a dozen turns! They collected this pile of tiles which still wouldn’t build up to 30 (3 different colours of the same number or 3 of the same colour in a number sequence).

[Rummikub game box]

Craft Show – November 22

Holiday Craft Show Nov 22 / Goods / goodies!

The annual Holiday Craft Show is scheduled for Saturday November 22, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Fieldhouse.

You’ll find jewelry, pottery, art cards, soaps, lotions, cashmere scarves, hand-knit/sewn goods and delicious seasonal baking. There’s sure to be a Christmas gift for someone!

For more info, contact Laurie, at lauriefagan59@gmail.com

[A sample of exquisite work by fibre artist Maggie Glossop]
A sample of exquisite work by fibre artist Maggie Glossop.
[Hand-knit scarves, hats, in vibrant colours by Laurie Fagan]
Hand-knit scarves, hats, in vibrant colours by Laurie Fagan.
[Talented artist Paula Zoubek will have her art cards on offer]
Talented artist Paula Zoubek will have her art cards on offer.