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Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, David Orazietti has an extensive academic leadership background that includes past experience as President of Sault College. Possessing a strong interest in hiking and camping, David Orazietti enjoys exploring scenic areas across the local region.
From information widely available to area residents and visitors to the region there is opportunity to access numerous locations in close proximity to the twin Sault communities to enjoy outdoor experiences. Places such as, Pointe Des Chenes Park, Sault Ste. Marie KOA, Agawa Bay campground, Hiawatha Highlands, Batchewana Provincial Park, Aune Osborn Campground and Brimley State Park.
For those who simply want a nice place to camp and enjoy St. Mary’s River, Sault Ste. Marie offers the Aune Osborn Campground within city limits. Situated next to the Sugar Island Ferry, it features amenities such as a boat launch and fish cleaning station and also offers a view of the freighters that ply the waterway, which runs into Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay a few miles west.
Situated 15 minutes west of the city proper, on the Michigan side of the US-Canada border, Brimley State Park is one of the Upper Peninsula’s oldest protected parklands. It was established in 1923. In addition to a campground, sandy swimming beach, and boat launch, visitors have access to an overnight lodging facility. A unique observation deck overlooks the lake and enables visitors to track mega-ships as they pass through the heavily trafficked Soo Locks.
For anglers, the bay and the streams that feed it are stocked with northern pike, bass, whitefish, perch, and walleye. This reflects a location near a pair of national fish hatcheries and half an hour from Hiawatha National Forest, which has designated trout streams.
For those seeking more immersion in nature, near Sault, Ontario, Hiawatha Highlands Conservation Area spans 892 hectares and offers 35 kilometers of trails across a landscape of forests, lakes, creeks, and wetlands. In addition to a few remnants of old-growth forest, the woodlands include maple and white pine, as well as a red pine plantation. This supports a diverse ecosystem of moose, black bear, deer, hare, and beavers. Common year-round avian residents include grouse, woodpeckers, and owls.
A vital aspect of the conservation area involves recharging the groundwater supply relied upon by residents of Sault Ste. Marie. The highlands feature abundant sand and gravel close to the ground’s surface, which acts as a natural filter for rainwater as it moves downward through the soil. Ultimately, this water is stored in a groundwater aquifer that the city draws upon for a portion of its water supply.
At the heart of Hiawatha Highlands is the 93-hectare Kinsmen Park, which is maintained year round by the Kinsmen Club and features an exceptional view from Crystal Creek Trail of Crystal Falls. In wintertime, the area attracts cross-country skiers, who make use of trails groomed by the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club’s Hiawatha Highlands division. In addition to the conservation area, the trails extend throughout Kinsmen Park and nearby Wishart Park, which is maintained by the city. They also encompass Crown property that provides a natural buffer for the provincial fish hatchery. With mountain bike trails also abundant, one cultural highlight is Mockingbird Hill Farm, which provides visitors a chance to rediscover roots and explore a pioneer agricultural operation. The Tarentorous Fish Culture Station offers people a glimpse into what is involved in raising various trout species as part of the fish release program operated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
