Photos: Seasons On Ravenwood Deploying Pirate Ghost Ship For One More Halloween After Receiving Multiple Complaints

The Seasons on Ravenwood’s famed ghost pirate ship is making one more appearance this Halloween for trick-or-treaters to explore the front-yard exhibit before being permanently retired due to anonymous complaints.

Jenn and Braden Glasbergen entertaining a first-time Halloweener during the ghost pirate ship's last year. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

The closure was announced by Jenn and Braden Glasbergen, who run Seasons on Ravenwood.

The couple put out four extravagant seasonal displays a year which include a dinosaur park, Easter, Halloween and Christmas display on their front lawn on 1723 Ravenwood Dr.

The decision to retire the pirate ship came after the Glasbergens received numerous threats and warnings of legal action for the displays allegedly being a safety hazard.

“We've decided that given some of the comments that we received, it's time to move on from the pirate ship,” explained Braden.

While the couple has received overwhelming support for the good the displays have done, the Glasbergens refuse to deal with the negativity affiliated with the display.

“We know that there's not a lot of teeth to it but it's just aggravation that nobody wants to deal so we're decided that the time is appropriate for us to hang it up for the pirate ship,” said Braden.

According to Glasbergens, they received messages claiming their decorations cause traffic hazards since they are a distraction and could result in vehicular accidents.

“We've done all we could with it as safe as possible when people come to visit it but a lot of comments we've been receiving is people on the way to the pirate ship, there are concerns around the traffic on Ravenwood and people might be getting hit,” said Braden.

Signs and flags — including a 15-footer visible from Parkhill Road — have been posted to help notify traffic to slow down. Posters are also plastered throughout the display to ensure safety when visitors are touring through the exhibit.

One of the many safety and rules signs posted throughout the property. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Initially, they decided not to put the pirate ship on display after complaints back in June. Overwhelming support persuaded the family to put up the pirate ship again in a Facebook post in late August. It also gave the community one last chance to take photos, videos and create memories with the ship before it gets permanently sidelined.

“There's been such an outpouring of support for the ship and the community loves it. The people who do love it, love it a lot,” said Braden. “We've talked to our town councillor Matt Crowley, who's been fielding a lot of calls in support of the pirate ship and he's brought those positive reinforcements forward and the neighbours have a great time with it.”

The public is invited to visit the pirate ship until it gets taken down during the first week of November. The family continues collecting food or monetary donations to support St. Vincent de Paul, which they have been doing since running Seasons on Ravenwood four years ago while the ship is on display.

After the ship has run its course, it will change ownership as the Glasbergens have sold it to an out-of-town buyer.

Jenn and Braden say they have loved and appreciated the community’s support over the years and will not forget the positivity given to them over the last four years.

“It's overwhelming, the positive support that we get,” said Braden. The fact that we've reached that many people, that we've touched that many people just because we wanted to put up some seasonal displays and have a little bit of fun. It's been a great outpouring that way.”

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