SAULT STE. MARIE — The future of one of Sault Ste. Marie’s largest neighborhood parks is uncertain as the city signaled it may not renew its maintenance lease agreement with St. Mary’s Catholic School.
The agreement began in 1967, with the current 10-year lease scheduled to expire March 7, 2026.
The city said the playground has remained privately owned while the city has been responsible for upkeep and liability insurance among other costs.
The nearly three-acre playground is located across from St. Marys School between Armory Place and East Spruce Street.
Father Bradley Sjoquist, pastor-designate at St. Mary’s, said the last lease renewal in 2016 went through an open, public process and he felt it should be done again.
“They seemed really eager to hear more. Some of our commissioners really support the public park system. We are just really interested in making our case to our elected representatives who do have the sole, and ultimate, say in this matter,” Sjoquist said.
The city posted on its website Friday morning that the matter is on the docket for discussion at Monday’s meeting.