Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is kicking off a busy June with free outdoor water fun now available and a lineup of public meetings where residents can have their say. Splash pads at Bellevue Park and Manzo Park are already open for the season, and the Rotary Interactive Fountain at the Downtown Plaza opens on June 9, 2026. Meanwhile, the city will host four public meetings in the coming weeks, starting with the Historic Sites Board and Accessibility Advisory Committee on June 10.
The splash pads at Bellevue Park (1310 Queen Street East) and Manzo Park on Young Street run daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are free to use and have push-button sensors that turn on the water. Each location also has a youth water wheelchair available, which families can reserve ahead of time. The fountain at the Downtown Plaza on Bay Street joins them for the season starting June 9, giving families another option right in the city centre.
On June 10, the Historic Sites Board meets to oversee heritage properties like the Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site. The same day, the Accessibility Advisory Committee gathers to advise council on building a barrier-free community, as required by provincial law. These meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend.
A highlight of the month is a joint meeting between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and its twin city across the river in Michigan. On June 15 at 5:00 p.m., Mayor Matthew Shoemaker will welcome Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Mayor Don Gerrie and that city’s commission for talks that continue an annual tradition of cross-border cooperation. Last year, Mayor Shoemaker flagged the heavy toll of American steel tariffs on the local economy, including major employer Algoma Steel, and urged support for lowering them. The joint meeting will stream live on the city’s YouTube channel.
The Cultural Vitality Committee meets June 17 to discuss funding for local arts groups like the Sault Symphony and Algoma Conservatory of Music. Regular city council wraps up the month on June 22. All sessions are open to the public, and residents can also watch council live online.
