Lions Lookout is not quite the visitor attraction it should be. Yes, it has a stunning view, but the road leading to the summit, the planters and the fencing are all in need of repair and the site in general is not an attractive one.
In a report to councillors at the April 26 General Committee meeting, Director of Operations and Protective Services, Steve Hernen, and Manager of Parks and Cemeteries, Colleen MacDonald, said that $70,000 has been earmarked in the 2017 budget for maintenance at Lions Lookout but they were seeking direction on whether more needs to be done.
“I agree with Councillor Alcock that this is one of the premier locations for people to visit and view the community and it looks like crap,” said Mayor Scott Aitchison. “Take a look and see how proud you’d be to show visitors that space. It’s not great.”
He referred to the Memorial Park Master Plan that was completed in 2011 and suggested that more analysis is needed based on that document, as well as perhaps some public consultation.
Councillor Bob Stone isn’t a fan of the chain link fence that borders the lookout. He’d like to see it eventually replaced with something more aesthetically pleasing, like a stone wall. He also suggested removal of the planters and re-naturalization of the site.
Councillor Nancy Alcock agreed and contrasted the lookout with the Grand Canyon. “I hate the chain link fence. I remember being at the Grand Canyon and the ability to get out (to the rim) is quite easy, and yet we have this one lookout with a massive chain link fence… It doesn’t look great.”
Hernen noted that the fence is there to satisfy insurance requirements and Committee Chair Brian Thompson reminded councillors that many years ago a car was driven off the edge of the lookout.
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- Councillors wondered whether these planters are even necessary against the beautiful natural backdrop at the lookout
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- The poor condition of the fencing at Lions Lookout led some councillors to question if it’s even necessary.
Councillor Det Schumacher agreed with Mayor Aitchison that the entire area needs to be considered. “You could make that a real destination. It would take some money but there could be some partnering.”
“I envision a really engaging public space that is safe, lovely, it looks like we care about it, we’ve invested some money in it,” said Mayor Aitchison, adding that a new design could include pictorial boards showing what Fairy Lake looked like 100 years ago. “I think it would fit well with our theme at Muskoka Heritage Place, it should be a place that tells our story a little bit as well.”
Committee directed staff to complete the immediate work required to make the area safe while additional discussions take place.
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There is no signage for accessing the Lookout – only a yellow sign that says the road is not maintained in the winter. We have sent many guests there and several have returned unable to find the lookout. Now we understand why.
The lookout is a really great and unique feature for the town and especially the views. We should enhance and improve it and at the very least maintain it properly.
This should be within the town’s means.
Something that would be really nice if you can get it past the liability lawyers would be to make the little shelter into about a two story tower. Very simple, very robust and vandal proof but it would let people get up that little bit above the trees and get a really “great” view instead of just a “good” one.
Expensive planners are not necessary here. Let the natural area and view speak for themselves. Just keep it clean , well repaired and add a bit more signage. Try to tie it into the Heritage Place signage and advertising somehow, not as part it but as something “extra” to do nearby.
Keep it free, but you could add a donation collection box like they use on trails in Algonquin Park maybe.. Again remembering that we have some pretty capable vandals in Town this might be a challenge.
A safe wheelchair viewing spot would be nice.
I think that this is just one area of concern that needs attention. I do not live in Lake of Bays Township however, local residents were out cleaning up litter from the sides of Limberlost Road on the weekend. I thanked them as I drove past. If you drive on the highway into town all the way from Grandview lights , either sides of the highway are littered with rubbish. If we want to help the environment and help enhance the beauty of our natural surroundings, we could all figure out a plan.
This garbage situation is making the mayor’s comment viable in more than just the area of the Lions Lookout. We should definitely address the situation. What is the point of buying a bunch of flower baskets when the total picture needs a facelift?
I was up at the Lookout this past week and there is so much litter. It’s the litter that is way more bothersome to me than any chain fence. A family member is getting married in September at the Lookout. One of the chores is to clean up the place a few days before and the morning of. It’s a great place to look out, but not down.
Another spot that there is so much litter is on the East side of Brunel Road from River Street to Huntsville High. It would be hard not to acknowledge this when walking along.
While we are knocking the Town, may I suggest better signage inside the Summit Center?
As for the trash pickup in park areas, it is sadly neglected. Mayor Doughty mandated flower baskets on the Main Street and it turned out nicely. Now instead of calling things looking like ‘Crap’ which invites like comments from the lesser minds of Council, he would do well to have quiet conversations with Department heads and maybe a few pats on the back here and there. We taxpayers have no clue as to the costs of stuff to be done, – like the daily watering of the flowers, and the enhancements that make the Town look great, Council needs a better upgrade! C’mon guys, quit picking on your staff and either lead, follow or get to Hell out of the way! Huntsville is a great place!!
Last fall on three occasions I helped several families find washroom facilities in the Active Living Center as they where in dire need for their children and themselves to use them. I believe that if we are to make it more accessible the town needs to address this issue.
Yes it needs to be properly maintained, Spruce it up, CLEAN!. Took my grandson there last year
(he’s 8) he loved it, BUT I wasn’t impressed with the used condom hanging from a small branch.
Ok, I was young once. I get the whole back to nature thing, but really! Broken bottles, nothing a
daily pickup can’t fix, a little paint, a new safety fence and as an employee of a downtown business
we send a lot of fall leaf lovers to that area. I personally really enjoy going up just to look at the lake, enjoy a good sunset…Let’s take pride! Hire a student (Create a summer job). Just a suggestion!
Yes it needs to be looked after and improved. Took my family visiting from London to the Lookout last year and was totally ashamed because there was garbage everywhere and garbage cans that were obviously not emptied in quite some time. This Town has to do better if we call our selves a great tourist destination.