The success of events in Gull Lake Park this summer could spell major changes for Muskoka Wharf Park.
During the most recent Gravenhurst council meeting, it was agreed unanimously to authorize the relocation of the Gravenhurst Farmers’ Market and other significant community events to Gull Lake Rotary Park.
They also agreed to allocate funds in the 2025 capital budget to look at repurposing the Wharf sports field as an outdoor recreation hub.
According to director of infrastructure services Andrew Stacey, potential uses for the Wharf Park, which is located on the opposite side of Bay Street from the Wharf itself, could include a new ball diamond, pickleball courts, outdoor fitness equipment and a revamped splash pad.
Many major town events, including the weekly Farmers’ Market, Tall Pines Music Festival and Ribfest were relocated from the Wharf field to Gull Lake Park for 2024 due to accessibility issues caused by the Bay and Beyond infrastructure project currently taking place in the Wharf area.
Stacey reported that, in an unexpected twist, most of the event organizers enjoyed the experience in Gull Lake Park so much that they’d prefer to stay.
“None of us really knew the full gambit of what we were in for but I’m thankful that we’ve mitigated a lot of those concerns. I’m pleased to say I think it was a success. We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback,” said Stacey during the meeting. “Based on what we saw and based on what we’re hearing, I think it’s a good idea for those events to move over.”
Stacey said the move would free up the Wharf field to become a proper recreational hub.
Council was enthusiastic about the idea and agreed to free up the funds for staff to further investigate options for the Wharf field.
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