A family dream.
The Cedars is between locks 14 and triple locks15,16 and17 on the Trent Severn Water System, in beautiful Trent Hills. Its roadside face is deceptive; the cottages are concealed from the road making them very private. It has four hundred feet of shoreline that face the sunset. When we saw it, we recognized its magic. It was run-down, providing us with an almost blank canvas. We had found our retirement project – to turn The Cedars into a vacation place for our family and friends.
The Cedars is a timeless and welcoming place. On one side, the wetlands are controlled by the conservation authority. On the other side, the farmlands have been in the same families for 4 generations. This means that the area is stable, with minimal development. Neighbouring cottages have also been passed down for generations. The Cedars itself was established as a fishing resort in the 1920s and run as a resort until the 1970s. Guests from the later days still visit and share their memories of this special place.
We wanted to participate in the stability and history of the area and the property. So we maintained the look of the old resort where possible. This gives the cottages a feeling of belonging – to the natural and human landscapes surrounding it. The feel of a farm road is carried down the hill to the cottages. The property has multiple environments; woodlands, fields, gardens and shoreline. We wanted to share The Cedars with our family and friends while still welcoming wildlife.
For us, being with family and friends means having shared spaces like docks and picnic tables as well as private spaces to escape to. We paired the cottages with bunkies and the boathouse, so older children can spend time with their siblings, cousins, and friends and develop a sense of independence, while giving parents a vacation and the opportunity for adult time with their friends and family. There are get-away and play spaces for all weathers and activities.
Over the seventeen years we have lived and worked on The Cedars we have accomplished many of our goals. It has provided us with a wonderful lifestyle, something to do and access to extended time spent with family and friends as well as nature. As it exists now, it can do the same for you. The Cedars is by no means finished, however. There is room for growth. For example, the septic system was designed to meet the needs of additional buildings. There are still dreams to bring to life here if you wish.