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We feel that Eels Creek in and around Apsley is an overlooked
gem which in some areas has been used as a dump but which could be made into a
township park to protect its natural character and to provide accessible
nature walks and parkettes for residents and visitors along the creek.
The 66’ road allowance around Ontario lakes exists along Eels
Creek and has been turned over to the Township. Only one adjacent property
owner has purchased his frontage but that is somewhat downstream from McFadden
Rd. and is outside the purview of this suggestion.
Mill Lake, upstream from the north bridge could turn out to
be the star feature of this array and should be included at least in
preliminary planning. Three or four lots butt on the west side of Mill Lake
but it is not clear at present whether they include the 66’ allowance.
It is unlikely, at least in the near future, that a
continuous trail could be made from north bridge to south bridge on both sides
of the Creek. There are flood areas which should not be filled so as to
preserve their natural habitat. However, at some point in the future, low
elevated walkways could be constructed over these areas in the same manner as
in Louisiana and Florida conservation swamps. There are also areas where
cliffs rise more or less vertically out of the water and there are areas on
the west side where Highway 28 overlaps the 66’ road allowance.
It would seem more feasible and more within our reach in the
foreseeable future to plan for parkettes at or near entry points. These
parkettes could be joined by nature walks as feasible over time.
The first and most obvious entry point is at the Township
offices as this is public land. The second is Riverside Park, an existing but
little-known park near McFadden Rd. As well, there would seem to be de facto
points at the four bridges – Mill Lake bridge, north bridge, south bridge and
McFadden Rd. bridge.
Properties along the creek adjacent to the 66’ allowance are
either privately-owned or are owned by institutions, commercial or
non-commercial. An institution owning adjacent property might welcome an entry
point from its property as an enticement to patronize the institution.
Liability and insurance must be considered though it would
seem likely that the Township is already liable for the 66’ allowance since
the allowance is owned by the township, whether the township does anything to
it or not. Lions International has an overall policy and Apsley Lions also has
a local policy, all of it with Darling Insurance, 193 Aylmer St., N.,
Peterborough.
Since the Town of Bancroft has built a walkway bridge over
York River, has allowed swimming in the river and presently allows swimming in
a lake, we consulted with some town officials to enquire about liability. The
bridge is wide enough for an ATV or a snowmobile to meet and pass a
pedestrian. More consultation with Bancroft would be helpful. It seems that if
their improvements are considered part of the Town’s infrastructure, no
further insurance would be required, but there should also be consultation
with North Kawartha’s attorney.
We understand that the cross-country ski club as well as
snowmobilers would like a bridge over the creek. Providing access to the
facilities in Apsley would of course assist local businesses.
The first move by North Kawartha Council, after due
consideration and debate, might be to pass a bylaw declaring the 66’ road
allowance on both sides of Eels Creek owned by the Township to be a park. The
first physical work might be to clear out garbage.
Paid work on the park could be contracted individually
locally and volunteer groups could be organized.
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