Welcome to Chippawa Creek!

An escape for city slickers and destination for tourists en route, Chippawa is a well known small-town for a reason: the charm and serenity. The Village of Chippawa is located about 3.5 kilometres from the world-renowned Niagara Falls (Horseshoe and American). The village was founded in 1850, and became part of the City of Niagara Falls. The Welland River, which is tenderly referred to as "Chippawa Creek" by residents, flows into the Falls. Not many tourists know that parts of the Creek are safe for leisurely swimming.

The Chippawa Creek was a spot that was popularized by locals before the creation of the Buck Hinsperger Pool in 2004. Prior to this, there was nowhere to swim for free in Chippawa besides the Creek. A dock was created, and rules and guidelines were implemented to ensure safety for all swimmers. There are now lifeguards constantly supervising the Creek on rescue boats. Nearby restaurants and sitting areas have been developed around the swimming area, and during the summer season, live music performances occur in Cummington Square. The Creek is a breath of fresh air from the tourism centre down the river.

Entrance and parking area to Chippawa Creek swimming area. From this area, the swimming dock will be visible. There is also a gazebo and picnic tables nearby available for use.

The Chippawa Creek is a long, thin body of water spanning the width of Chippawa's city centre. There are many fun things to try at the creek that provide visitors with endless fun in the water.

Bridge-Jumping - Front Street Bridge and Stanley Avenue Bridge are often used as a jumping and diving platform by locals. Though not encouraged, if you're brave enough, bridge-jumping will give you quite the adrenaline rush.

Chippawa Boat Ramp - The ideal entranceway to fish or swim, perfect during the summer months!

Greater Niagara Boat Club - visit the large boat dock to see residents set sail along the Welland River. Features a fully licensed restaurant & bar, outdoor licensed patio, outdoor pavilion for private or public events, on-site boat storage, security lighting year round, secluded park-like setting, and ample visitor dockage.

The Village of Chippawa began with the founding of the Welland River in 1791, and was named "Chippawa". During the American Revolutionary War, a blockhouse was built known as Fort Welland which provided protection for settlers in the area. When reformers began to threaten residents on Canadian land, Colonel Alan McNab kept watch from Chippawa at enemy movements on Navy Island (across the Niagara River).

Transportation Use

Chippawa is the limit of navigation on the Upper Niagara River. Before the construction of the Welland Canal, all cargo and passengers had to be unloaded and carried overland to navigable waters below the falls in order to reach Lake Ontario. This meant that the Chippawa Creek was a major economic hub for early-Canadians. Shipbuilding industries were established on both banks of the river before 1840. Chippawa was also home to one of the largest distilleries, along with gristmills, sawmills, tanneries, and iron, brass and tin manufacturing. The Creek has a history of productive use before being used as a recreational resource.

Local Popular Figures

In 1841 at the age of 65, heroine Laura Secord bought a house in Chippawa and lived in it until her death at age 93. A memorial stone in a local cemetery describes her heroic act of 1813.

Avatar and Titanic director, James Cameron is a Chippawa native, raised and educated in the Niagara Region before moving to California at the age of seventeen. There is a plaque beside the Front Street Bridge celebrating his legacy as a local success story.

Tim Horton's - 8089 Portage Rd (A two-minute walk from the dock)

Riverside Tavern - 8163 Cummington Square East, an upscale sports bar and restaurant that can serve you all the calories you burned while swimming

Dufferin Islands - a scenic pathway further down the Niagara Parkway (A five-minute drive down Marineland Parkway)