Many arguments were exchanged when the city decided to ban motor boats on this now strictly recreational water. I support this idea because the majority of the users of this attraction do not have motorboats and without any doubt they can pose a serious hazard to all other users, such as swimmers, fisherman, boaters in canoes or kayaks.
The well kept parks are also well used for recreation.
Please get a map of the city of Welland and a brochure to find your way to the various attractions and to see which events are taking place.

Hiking through these parks or along the old Welland Canal is not only a pleasure for residents. Many of our visitors enjoyed that after lunch.

Very close to the bridge shown above you will find a the "Merritt Park" which you should not miss to visit.
A brand new "Amphitheatre" has been added which is being used for great outdoor events, such as the "IlluminAqua" where a floating stage on the old Welland Canal is used by artists for their performances. These events take place in the late evening and floating firepods create a breathtaking atmosphere. In Japan I was excited when I watched an event dedicated to "Cormorant Fishing". It was like a parade with many nicely illuminated boats with numerous performers in traditional costumes.
Eventually, I will prepare my own web site for one of the events at the "Amphitheatre" and include it into my Internet travel guide.
In this park you will also find a memorial which is dedicated to all the workers who built the famous Welland Canal.

All majors and city councils which Welland had and has are aware that it is mandatory to improve the downtown core if the city wants to attract visitors and also industry. A major project was the construction of a new city hall which also hosts a great public library.
This project initiated some revitalization. New restaurants opened and in formerly deserted stores business moved in and renovated everything nicely.
If local people and visitors accept these investments and come, more required changes will hopefully be achieved. I believe that small business owners can be much better off here than in a mall where rent is much higher and additional fees are charged. Also opening times are strictly regulated.

We had a nice store with high quality imported goods from Europe in downtown Welland, but we closed it because at this time we saw no chance to expand our business because of bylaws and how they were handled. Even if we would have spend a small fortune to fulfill the requirements of these laws we could not get a guarantee that we would be granted the required permission to add a little tea room to our store. Now we do all of our business through the Internet and must not pay for employees any more. I do not complain any longer about this incompetence - we are better off without a store, but I hope it is a wake up call for the city to smarten up in future.
Welland is also known as "Rose City". This is celebrated every year with a parade which attracts visitors from all over our region.
Welland is also known for its murals. Canadian artist show different periods of the development of Welland. Unfortunately some of these murals are in a bad shape and others disappeared completely.

A few years ago another event was created which always attracts a large crowd to Welland - the "Food Festival". It is not only a chance to try for little money all kind of speciality food from different restaurants of the area it offers also entertainment for all ages.
We also consider it to be a meeting place because so far we always met people which we had not seen for quiet a time.

I still try to understand why you can buy wine in malls and in the entrance area of big grocery stores but not beer. You can also consume the samples of wine at the Welland "Food Festival" in the public, but when you want to enjoy an ice cold beer, you must do that behind a fence. I call that a discrimination of all beer drinkers and of breweries. What do you think?

Now I can see increasing activities on the old canal. A dragon boat regatta is always an attraction - not only for the participants but also for the spectators.
Elizabeth, my wife, participated in a few.

Welland has also an airport. If you want to enjoy the Niagara peninsula from the sky and take breathtaking pictures ask there for more details.
Some day, we may take a ride in a small aircraft to do that.

Welland has some good places to eat out. Smoking is now banned in all bars, restaurants and other public places. Germany and other European countries have finally introduce similar laws. People should have so more money for food and drinks and stay healthier.
We had many visitors from Europe who enjoyed chicken wings. They are becoming now popular over there.

North Americans know that this speciality is available in mild, hot, suicide and sometimes also in other flavors.

Finally, it was recognized that the old Welland Canal can also be used for cultural events. The city started to have concerts on the canal and a amphitheatre had been built. Certainly a good decision which will hopefully bring more visitors to our town if properly used.
Dragon boat regattas are another attraction - not only for the participants, also for the spectators.