Kawartha Lakes

Quick Facts

City Of Kawartha Lakes

Population: 80,000…estimate for 2007, One Hour Northeast of the GTA, Municipal Airport, City Hall: 705-324-9411

• Over 250 lakes including Lake Scugog, Pigeon Lake, Sturgeon Lake, and Balsam Lake
• Great fishing
• The city was created by the amalgamation of 16 lower-tier municipalities and one upper-tier municipality - Victoria County
• Some of the largest urban areas within the city of Kawartha Lakes are Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, and Fenelon Falls
• Most of the city contains rural, resource, agricultural, tourism/recreational, and conservation/natural areas
• The northern part of the city rests on the Canadian Shield
• One of the finest interconnected navigation systems in the world, the Trent-Severn Waterway, crosses through the city and is a very important environmental, economic, and recreational source
• Six locks within the city
• The City Of Kawartha Lakes is the "gateway" to one of Canada's favorite vacation destinations, the Kawartha Lakes Region
• The City of Kawartha Lakes has a large number of cottagers
• On a per capita percentage basis, the over-55 population is the third highest is all of Canada
• With the rural general stores and the large department stores you will be sure to find whatever product you are looking for
• A lifestyle that combines "cottage country" and "country living"
• Both the Ontario Provincial Police and the City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service protect the municipality
• The Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue service provides emergency services with 21 stations located throughout the municipality by both volunteer and professional firefighters
• Lindsay Recreation Complex and Memorial Pool provide swimming arenas
• Community Halls can be found throughout the area
• The City Of Kawartha Lakes Public Library branches into many other communities as well
• The City Of Kawartha Lakes has four provincial parks - two of which are still in the making
• Balsam Lake Provincial Park has a sandy beach with docking facilities with boat launch, picnic shelters, playing fields, and a playground and over 450 campsites
• Emily Provincial Park has two sandy beaches with two boat ramps, a Lookout Tower, the Marsh Boardwalk, 300 campsites - over 100 with electricity

Top

Bethany/Janetville/Pontypool

• Located in the Southern area of Kawartha Lakes, this is a slice of small town life.
• The former Manvers Townships includes the pretty villages of Bethany, Janetville and Pontypool.
• Although farming may be the mainstay, there are always plenty of other activities for the entire family
• Thousands of sporting enthusiasts visit this area all throughout the year
• Devils Elbow ski resort on Ski Hill road near Bethany offers great skiing/snowboarding
• Wolf Run and Black Diamond golf courses offer top-quality opportunities to enjoy time on the green
• With protected sensitive areas like Windy Ridge Conservation Area, Fleetwood Creek and the Pigeon River Headquarters, this area is an environmental marvel
• The southern Kawartha Lakes offer two public schools: Grandview and Rolling Hills, as well as Bethany Hills School, a private facility which attracts dozens of girls from grade 7 to 12

Top

Bobcaygeon

• Bobcaygeon is one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario
• An ideal setting in cottage country
• Bobcaygeon is located on three islands between two lakes linked by a canal, which runs through the heart of the village, right beside its popular downtown
• The first lock on the Trent-Severn Water Way, Lock 32 was built here
• Visitors are welcome to watch the swing bridges allow boats and vehicle traffic to pass through
• Many excellent retirement facilities are located in Bobcageon, as well as grand century homes and modern models
• Kawarthas Settlers Village offers a step back in time to show the village's history and how its founders built the community
• The Bobcaygeon Annual Fair, with its midway, demolition derby, and the splendors of the harvest is a celebration of rural Ontario life that should not be missed
• Those with a taste for music can enjoy the Open Step Dance and Fiddle Contest that showcases the best old time players
• Sport fishing also plays a key role in the area's economy
• The Canada/U.S. Walleye Fishing Tournament, which draws some of the best anglers on the continent, is an annual highlight
• Enjoy Kawartha Dairy's delicious ice cream and milk products located on Prince Street
• Bigley Shoes & Clothing and Buckeye Outdoors Adventure Apparel can be found downtown
• A new addition to the arts scene in the Bobcageon area is the Lakeview Arts Barn, located on Pigeon Lake Road just to the south
• The LAB opened in June 2006 and now acts as a platform for all arts disciplines, from visual to performing with year-round entertaining
• The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, is also a very integral component of the Bobcageon community

Top

Cameron/Cambray

• For those that are looking for a quite country setting, Cameron would be a fine place to discover
• On Highway 35 between Lindsay and Fenelon Falls, the village began as a farming community before a grainery, blacksmiths and even a cheese factory came to the village
• Cameron was also a part of the Midland Grand Trunk Railway that once ran north of Haliburton
• Sturgeon Lake, in Cameron, is always vibrant with recreation on the water
• Being part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, Sturgeon Lake also boasts lots of fishing and boating opportunities
• Fenelon Falls is accessible by water to the north
• Cambray sits just southwest of Cameron at the intersection of Cambray and Elm Tree Roads
• The Kawartha Cycling Club also holds its annual charity event in Cambray
• Surrounded by fields of corn, grains, and hay, among many other crops and grazing animals, the village retains its country charm
• An active recreational community, the baseball diamond hosts many games, and the Fenelon Township Community Center is a hub for seniors' activities, anniversaries, wedding receptions and other gatherings

Top

Carden/Dalton/Langton/Digby/Longford

• The northern Kawartha Lakes, with its abundant forests, pristine waters, and scenic scapes, is a postcard for rugged beauty Central Ontario has to offer
• The past township of Laxton/Digby/Longford, Carden and Dalton make up this area.
• This is a getaway to spacious, natural areas with provincial protected green space and rare ecological bird sanctuaries, far closer than going to the Muskokas
• Birdlife International designates the Carden Plain or Alvar as an Important Bird Area and one of the last strongholds of the Loggerhead Shrike
• Although there is no road access to the far north, this township is accessible by air and trails, making it a fishing, hunting, and camping playground.
• Much of Digby and Dalton and all of Longford are protected by Queen Elizabeth 2nd Wildlands Provincial Park
• The area is accessible by Highways 35/115 and Portage Road, which connects with Highway 7/12 in Durham Region to the west

Top

Cococonk/Norland/Rosedale

• The remains of lime kilns stand as a testament to the booming lumber industry and railway that employed many people in Norland, Coboconk and Rosedale in the past
• Connected by Highway 35, this area rests on the edge of the rocky outcroppings of the Haliburton Highlands in the north, Canadian Shield and Kawartha Lakes to the south
• Known as "The Land Between", Norland sites on the immaculate Gull River, which flows south to Shadow Lake, Coboconk, and Balsam Lake, the latter have the highest elevation on the Trent-Severn Waterway
• Monck Road takes travelers to Orillia
• Many accommodations and places to eat are available as the area is a destination for snowmobilers
• To the south of Coboconk, where Portage Road meets Highway 35, is where you will find Canada's smallest jail, the Coboconk Jailhouse
• Further south sits Rosedale, where the Trent-Severn Waterway connects Cameron Lake in the east to Balsam Lake in the west

Top

Dunsford/Thurstonia

• A quite countryside lifestyle, with easy access to the amenities of the Sturgeon Lake with plenty of recreational opportunities
• Although Dunsford is small, it remains a spirited and active village in many ways
• Dunsford District Elementary School provides for children from junior kindergarten to grade 8
• The Dunsford Community Centre is also a hub of cultural and social opportunities for all ages
• Primarily operated through community support and specifically the Dunsford Winter Carnival
• The community also has one of the very few natural ice rink arenas in Canada
• The 2.5 km Dunsford Nature Trail extends along a converted rail line from Dunsford to Verulam Concession Road 2
• To the north of the village sits the hamlet of Thurstonia, primarily a cottage community that has also seen many more permanent residents who call it home

Top

Fenelon Falls

• Founded by Irish Immigrants in 1834, Fenelon Falls is a popular attraction for cottagers and travelers
• Maryboro Lodge is now home to the Fenelon Museum and is a beehive of activity during the summer months
• Annual events such as the Car and Truck Show, the Steam Show, Canada Day celebrations, the Fenelon Fair, and the Kawartha Arts Festival draw visitors from all over the province
• With more than 100 exhibitors featuring pottery, sculptures, photography, glass, jewelry, paintings and more, the arts festival is the place to be
• Fenelon Falls also offers some of the best golfing opportunities, including the Sturgeon Point Gold Point Club, located in the hamlet of the same name, just minutes south of Fenelon Falls
• This quiet community is always a flurry of activity in the summer, courtesy of its connection to the Trent-Severn Waterway.
• Every year, boaters, anglers, water skiers, swimmers and wake boarders ply the waters
• Byrnell Golf Club offers nine excellent holes right in Fenelen Falls, with a pro caliber driving range just minutes north
• The Kawartha Spirit is the largest Canadian Coast Guard approved vessel serving the Kawarthas with a passenger capacity of 200. The boats cruises the picturesque Sturgeon and Cameron Lakes, providing passengers with a chance glimpse of a Great Blue Heron, Osprey, or even a celebrity's cottage
• Lock 34 is also one of the hottest tourist locks on the Trent-Severn Waterway and the nearby lakes are home to a variety of resorts and cottages
• Don't forget to visit the flowing falls, where visitors can learn how the falls hydro system works thanks to a number of instructional signs.
• A nearby restaurant also provides a lookout over the scenic falls and its rocky cliffs

Fenelon Falls

Fenelon Falls

Fenelon Falls

Top

Kinmount/Burnt River

• The beauty of the rolling hills of the northeast corner of Kawartha Lakes is simply unmatched in most parts of Ontario
• With Burnt River winding its way through the village, Kinmount offers some of the most exciting community events one could ever experience
• The Kinmount Fair is an annual draw for both locals and tourists from across Canada
• The farmers' market also exemplify the tiny community's cultural strengths
• The population swells in the summertime here on the edge of the Haliburton Highlands as cottagers come back to their summer getaways
• The old Austin sawmill has been restored as a working model to highlight the region's past in the lumber industry
• Kinmount is also the home to one of the more interesting entertainment facilities
• with five theatres and 550 seats, the cinema has more seats than the community has people
• Movies are shown from May to Thanksgiving
• Another interesting place to visit is the Kinmount Artisans' Marketplace, where locally-made works of art can be purchased
• Kinmount is also a traffic hub, with routes including Monck Road, Country Road 503, and Country Road 121, which moves north to Minden
• Burnt River offers residents recreational and cultural endeavors by the shores of the waterway
• Settler John Hutler built the first mill in town in 1861
• Much of the community was destroyed in a massive fire in 1890
• The local fire hall still plays a very active role in the community today, and volunteers have even restored an antique fire truck that they can now proudly show to the visitors
• Smaller communities in the Burnt River area include Watsons, Dongola, and Union Creek

Top

Kirkfield/Woodville

• The vast farmland of the former Eldon Township is home to two idyllic villages in Kirkfield and Woodville
• Home to one of the largest lift locks in the country, Kirkfield is situated with Mitchell Lake to the east and Canal Lake to the west
• oLock 36 features a gift shop run by the Friends of the Trent-Severn Waterway
• Like the lock, Centennial Park is located on a causeway in the middle of Canal Lake, and attracts hundreds of visitors every summer
• Lock 37 sits beyond one of two swing bridges in the Kawartha Lakes near Bolsover to the west
• The historic Sir William Mackenzie Inn also sits in Kirkfield. It offers guest and wedding accommodations, not to mention the rumors of ghosts of the co-founder of the Canadian Northern Railway, who once lived there
• Southwest of Kirkfield sits Woodville, a farming village that offers a true taste of small town Ontario
• Woodville celebrates its traditions and rich heritage with a variety of events, including the annual Community Festival and Santa Claus Parade
• The northern pasture of this city supports dairy and beef cattle as well as hog farming.
• The area also features several smaller communities with very rich histories

Kirkfield Lift Locks

Top

Lindsay

• The economic and administrative center of the area
• Largest of the former municipalities that now make up the City of Kawartha Lakes
• The town benefits from a full compliment of urban infrastructure, including an airport and hospital
• There are professional services, a diverse manufacturing center, educational services, recreational and social services, and still plenty of rural land
• Dating back to 1825, Lindsay is a balance between the past and the present.
• New housing and retail developments, while several examples of heritage architecture stand as a tribute to Lindsay's history
• Approximately one quarter of the municipality's residents live in Lindsay and the surrounding former Ops Township.
• Along with two public high schools, one catholic high school, and over a dozen elementary schools, there is also opportunity for further education with Fleming College's Frost Campus
• Lindsay also boasts an array of retirement and senior living options, from adult-oriented condos and apartments to long-tern care facilities.
• Lindsay is also a town for those who live for hockey and rugby
• The Lindsay 'A' Muskies call the Lindsay Recreation Complex home, while the Lindsay Gryphons rugby team play their home games at Greenway Field
• The recreation complex is also used for skating and swimming
• The Victoria Rail Trail is perfect for outdoor adventures such as hiking, bicycling, ATVing or snowmobiling
• Ken Reid Conservation Area, which is managed by Kawartha Conservation, also offers dozens of kilometers or trails, boardwalks, scenic lookouts and a beach on the waters of Sturgeon Lake
• The Academy Theatre of Performing Arts is the oldest facility of its kind in Ontario and home to the Kawartha Lakes Summer Playhouse
• Comedians, musicians, musicals and ballet all take to its stage
• The Academy has played host to big name acts such as Bruce Cockburn, Colin James, Blue Rodeo, Tommy Hunter, Paul Brandt, Ron James, Roger Wittaker, and Michael Burgess, among many others
• The Lindsay Little Theatre also adds to the local scene with several productions throughout the year
• Lock number 33 is also located in Lindsay as an essential link in the Trent-Severn Waterway
• Boaters can take a detour between Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls on the system and travel south to Lake Scugog and Port Perry
• oLindsay has a number of annual events like the Lindsay Central Exhibition, which plays host to some of the biggest agricultural shows in the province
• Classics on Kent sees the downtown streets lined with hundreds of classic cars each year as their owners drive in from near and far to show off their colorful, and fast, automotive masterpieces
• There is also a top notch social service network in the Lindsay area through the recently expanded Ross Memorial Hospital and a number of other service organizations that offer help and support whenever you need it
• Lindsay's historic downtown offers a number of shopping opportunities with scores of businesses ready to serve
• Kent Street West also offers a more commercial shopping experience
• Lindsay residents are able to commute with easy access to Highway 7 and Highway 35/115

The Academy Theatre of Performing Arts is the oldest facility of its kind in Ontario and home to the Kawartha Lakes Summer Playhouse

Lindsay

St Mary's Lindsay

Top

Little Britain Oakwood

• Known as the sporting capital of the Kawarthas, Little Britain has long acted as the gateway to the region for visitors from Durham Region for visitors from Durham Region and Toronto
• Although baseball remains hugely popular here, hockey is the real sport of choice in the area with the Junior 'C' Merchants finding home ice at the Little Britain Community Center
• Early settlers took advantage of the rich soil, which made for plentiful harvests, and commerce soon followed
• Harrison Haight was one of the initial settlers when he built the first mill in 1834
• Oakwood, which sits just a few kilometers up Eldon Road, was named by settler James Tift - who arrived in 1833 - for the massive white oak forest that once covered the area
• Today, many of those trees have been replaced by pasture and homes
• The Oakwood Community Center, home of the annual fall fair, is a popular event in the area
• Located right on Highway 7, Oakwood offers the pastoral beauty of country living while only being a short drive away from the services of Lindsay

Top