By Emily Stonehouse

It’s a place nearly everyone in the community has visited, seen, or at the very least, heard of.

But Skyline Park has needed a little extra love since the 1950s.

The property is owned by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO), and has been identified as a provincial rest stop. Created in 1958 by the premier of the time, Leslie M. Frost, the destination has become a site of derelict, with only basic maintenance and upkeep offered from the MTO.

Enter: Haliburton Rotary. The established organization saw an opportunity to spruce up the site, which, based on location and view, has become a destination for both locals and visitors alike.

“This is probably one of the largest projects that the Haliburton Rotary Club has taken on in its 80 years of existence,” said Rotary member Chuck Wheeler, who doubles as the chair of Rotary’s Skyline Park Project Committee.

And this isn’t an overnight project. Rotary is looking at years down the line.

Over the next three years, the club intends to clean up the site, build new picnic pavilions, infographics highlighting the region’s history, Indigenous ties, and natural features, and most recently: permanent washroom facilities.

Currently, the site has access to seasonal outhouses, and with the property owned by the MTO, developing anything on it comes with correspondence and collaboration between the organizations. Luckily, the MTO has given the green light to proceed with new washroom facilities, likely a 2026 project.

“We are delighted that MTO, the owner of Skyline Park, has stepped up in a big way with funding for the washrooms, one of the key elements of Rotary’s Skyline Park initiative,” said Wheeler.

Other elements of the project include, but are not limited to:

• Remove trees and brush to improve the view
• Construct extensions to the existing viewing platform
• Create a new upper-viewing platform to accommodate people with mobility issues
• Build two new picnic pavilions with concrete pads and covered roofs
• Provide new benches and picnic tables
• Improve pathways using recycled asphalt which will not erode and is more accessible
• Draw parking lines to indicate regular and handicapped parking spaces
• Create designated bus parking that allows for safe and easy turnaround for tour buses
• Install display boards highlighting our community’s history and current attractions
• Improve safety fencing and signage

Wheeler noted that Emmerson Lumber has provided them with a handful of new picnic tables so far, with more to follow. Over 40 Rotary volunteers recently came out to assist with grading and seeding the area, creating an environmentally friendly destination for all visiting.

Approval for the funding of the permanent washrooms came shortly after MPP Laurie Scott secured her role in the past provincial election. “ We also want to thank MPP Laurie Scott for her assistance behind the scenes in securing MTO funding,” said Rotary member Jerry Walker. “She has been a big supporter of the project from the get-go.”

“I want to thank Haliburton Rotary for their dedication to work with MTO to give Skyline Park a much needed makeover and beautification.” said Scott. “Congratulations to all the members of Rotary for giving us a clearer view.”

While the project has a big future ahead, Wheeler indicated that they are on the cusp of developing a community fundraising campaign. In the meantime, supporting Haliburton Rotary through their annual car draw will go a long way. The Rotary Club also thanked Haliburton County Development Corporation for funding opportunities, as well as a number of local businesses who have provided supplies and resources at discounted rates in an effort to get the defined destination back on the map.