A former mayor of Bracebridge is set to become immortalized with a memorial garden in his honour at Bracebridge Bay Park.
On Tuesday the Bracebridge general committee will consider the development and installation the park in recognition of former Bracebridge Town councillor and Mayor Don Coates.
In the fall of 2021 the Town received a request from the Coates family to allow them to fund the development and installation of a memorial garden for Coates, who passed away on December 21, 2019.
The memorial garden would honour and acknowledge Coates’ contributions to the community and local industry. Coates was a pioneer in waste management and recycling and became a recognized leader with his business, Muskoka Containerized Services. Coates also served on various clubs and organizations within the community and surrounding area: Kinsmen Club; Industrial Commission; Muskoka Pioneer Power Club; Masonic Muskoka Lodge No. 360; Muskoka Shrine Club, Scottish Rite of Canada, Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation, Muskoka Scottish Rite Club, and the Town of Bracebridge 125th Anniversary Committee. In addition to serving on various committees and community groups, Coates also served on Council for the Town of Bracebridge and District Municipality of Muskoka from 2003 to 2006, and was Mayor of Bracebridge from 2006 to 2010.
The overall area of the proposed memorial garden, located adjacent to the Bracebridge Bay Park pathway, is 5 m x 5 m and will include local Muskoka saw cut flagstone. The patio diameter is 16 feet and the garden will also include flowers, shrubs, and two benches. The final design of the garden will also include one to two granite rocks with a bronze plaque or a sandblasted inscription, of which final wording has yet to be determined.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news