On The Bay Summer 2026 Issue by On The Bay Magazine

Beautiful The Game

Having the right advisory team matters.

Chapman Private Wealth Group of RBC Dominion Securities

Your money should be working hard to help you achieve more—more quality time with the people you love, more adventures, more meaningful moments and memories. My team and I can help with that.

With over 25 years of institutional investment experience, I bring sophisticated strategies to every portfolio and wealth plan I manage.

I take the time to listen to your goals, and what motivates and excites you. As part of RBC, my team and I then draw on a vast pool of resources, a wide network of specialists, and extensive knowledge of alternative investments to help you secure the financial future you have envisioned.

Tell us your goals and your dreams.

Paul Chapman, CIM, MBA, B.Sc. (Eng)

Investment & Wealth Advisor

I was born and raised in the Collingwood area, and I’ve put my expertise to work in the community I love, helping clients locally, throughout the GTA, and across the country. I’d be pleased to help you, too.

Let’s connect and determine if a partnership makes sense for both of us.

Office: 705-444-1800 | Mobile: 705-441-0482 | paul.chapman@rbc.com

Chapman Private Wealth Group of RBC Dominion Securities

1 First St., Suite 230, Collingwood, ON www.paul-chapman.ca

BUILT FOR THE BAY BUILT TO LAST

KNOW THE JOURNEY BEFORE YOU BUILD YOUR BUILD PARTNER FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION

RBA Projects builds custom homes and cottages across the GTA and Cottage Country. We know what building on Georgian Bay demands: the sites, the seasons, the water, and the standard this region holds. From first sketch to final walkthrough, we manage every step so the finished home matches the one you imagined.

RBA builds custom homes and cottages across Cottage Country, with deep knowledge of what Georgian Bay demands. Our free Client-Builder Journey guide maps the full process: what happens when, who's involved, and what to watch for. Useful even if you never build with us.

Don’t

unexpected expenses, or changes in income change your retirement plans. For many homeowners, the equity built up in their home may provide more options than they realize. A reverse mortgage provides access to tax-free cash from your home’s equity. It can help ease financial pressure and offer greater peace of mind – all while allowing you to remain in your home.

and over. And because not all reverse mortgages are created equal, owner Tracy Green and her team are committed to helping clients understand the options available to them. Some reverse mortgage products even allow homeowners to make regular payments to help preserve – and potentially grow – their equity over time.

Based in Orillia, Ontario-Wide Financial provides practical mortgage solutions with dignity, respect, and personalized guidance. If a reverse mortgage is not what you are looking for, we have options that may be more suitable.

• All Criminal Offences, including Assault, Theft, Drugs, Weapons, etc.

• All Driving Offences, including Impaired, Over 80, Dangerous, Careless, Stunt, Fail to Remain, etc.

• Applications for US Waivers, Record Suspensions (Pardons), and Police Fingerprint and Photo Destruction

By Living Water Resorts

When excellence in care meets innovation in training, the impact reaches far beyond hospital walls.

Dr. Jesse Guscott has been recognized with the 2026 Rural Specialist Merit Award from the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada (SRPC) highlighting his outstanding contributions to rural health care, specifically in simulation education and emergency care.

His leadership in medical education is helping shape the future of healthcare at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital (CGMH). At the heart of this work is CGMH’s simulation training program, where physicians, nurses, and care teams practice real‑world scenarios in a safe, controlled environment, before they reach a patient’s bedside.

What began in a converted closet has grown into a powerful tool for improving patient safety, teamwork, and clinical confidence.

As Dr. Guscott’s award illustrates, the impact is being felt far beyond our community. CGMH has become a coveted destination for simulation training programs for medical learners and practicing clinicians from across the province and beyond. Now that same commitment to excellence is driving what comes next.

In Tomorrow’s Hospital, the purpose‑built training centre will feature dedicated simulation spaces designed to support advanced technology, foster interdisciplinary learning, and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals, right here in our community.

The best care doesn’t start in the exam room. It starts with how we train.

Donate today to bring Tomorrow’s Hospital to life.

Go behind the scenes with Dr. Guscott in Season 1 of our podcast, where he talks in depth about the simulation program and the impact it has had on hospital staff.

Then keep listening: Season 2 of A Day Away is now streaming at cgmhf.com/podcast

Dr. Jesse Guscott, Rural Generalist, Anesthetist & Simulation Program Director, CGMH

BRIAN SAUNDERSON

A study in contrasts Savour summer A match made in heaven

From the Office Inbox Scene

In the Know Buzz Bay Watch

Sight of the season Fenceposts

From field to fork

Serve, return, third shot drop Ultralight flight

• Timeless rustic elegance with natural country charm that feels at home in Ontario’s landscapes

• Excellent traction year-round in all conditions

• Built to handle Ontario’s demanding weather

• Low maintenance with exceptional longevity

• Significantly more economical than asphalt

• Effective solution for washouts, erosion, potholes, and dust control – dust-free and cleaner than gravel

• Custom stone colours available

• Perfect for country properties, estate homes, long rural lanes, and those who want a solid driveway while avoiding the black shiny commercial look of asphalt

Enjoy your Backyard

Living in the Georgian Bay area, we’re privileged to have nature’s playground right outside our doors.

Whether you’re out exploring or just enjoying the views, you can rely on Darryn, Andrew, and the team at Stroud & Scott Wealth Management to keep your wealth plan on track so you can make the most of the outdoors all year long.

Stroud & Scott Wealth Management is a proud member of the Collingwood, Thornbury, and Blue Mountain communities. We provide custom wealth solutions for families and business owners to help you build your net worth, be tax efficient, protect what matters, and build your legacy.

Darryn Stroud, CIM®

Senior Portfolio

T: 705-444-1904

darryn.stroud@td.com

sarah.pryce@td.com

Art on the Street

Downtown Collingwood comes alive with an outdoor gallery of hand-painted chairs, banners on the light standards featuring all forms of visual arts, art wrapped utility boxes, murals, amazing public art installations, discovery panels and historic installations.

This vibrant collection of visual arts is complemented by presentations of performance and culinary creativity found at the Wednesday Local Live Lunch series and Saturday morning Farmers’ Market and the creativity of wearable art at the week long Collingwood Fashion Week.

Upcoming community events and festivals

Collingwood Art Market

Collingwood Music Festival

5th Street Creative Initiatives

Canada Day Stomp

Leith Summer Festival

Collingwood Pride

Thornbury Flower Market

Everlove Festival

Sidelaunch Days Festival

Theatre Collingwood Porchside Festival

Mayor’s Golf Challenge

Music Festival

Kettle Festival

Daniel Lanois

Summerfolk

Copper

ADVANCE TICKETS

“Riders and walkers feel safe away from traffic. Trails are now part of the town’s master plan and integrated into any future development.”

GEORGE CHRISTIE

SO IS BLUEROCK

WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT ADVISORY FIRM

You’ve always had the goal of financial freedom in mind, you challenged yourself to achieve it, and now here you are all these years later ready to enjoy your life on your own terms, and share it with the people you love.

you challenged yourself to achieve it, and now here you are all these years later ready to enjoy your life on your own terms, and share it with the

This means no institution, financial or otherwise, will influence the products and services we offer. You get what’s best for you and your unique situation, now and in the future.

Financial freedom is complex and personal. That’s where BlueRock comes in.

WE OFFER EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

Financial freedom is complex and personal. That’s where BlueRock comes in.

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

Tell us about the life you want, no matter how close it is or how distant it may seem. We’ll help structure your financial future so that you can live life to the fullest now, while preparing for what’s next.

Our focus is on delivering thoughtful advice, personal attention, and measurable value..

Our focus is on delivering

WE WILL HELP YOU LEAVE A MEANINGFUL LEGACY

Our advisors are known for their knowledge, passion, confidence and dedicated service. Call 705-443-5599 ext. 1229 to book your FIT meeting.

Make the most of your wealth today while leaving a legacy of a life well lived. Call 705-443-5599 to book your FIT meeting today!

Our advisors are known for their knowledge, passion, confidence and dedicated service. Call 705-443-5599 ext. 1229 to book your FIT meeting.

OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO MEET YOUR EVERY NEED

Our advisors are known for their knowledge, passion, confidence and dedicated service. Call 705-443-5599 ext. 1229 to book your FIT meeting. OUR FULL RANGE

OUR FULL RANGE OF SERVICES TO MEET YOUR EVERY NEED Financial

“The more we see people enjoying the local music scene, the more opportunities we have to book performances like this.”

TIFFANY MCPHATTER

PHOTO MIA KLEIN // The bluebird of happiness— indigo bunting in canola.

MAKE THE RIGHT MOVE!

AT RETIREMENT MIRAMICHI, LIFE IS GOOD, VERY GOOD

A relaxed, easy lifestyle combined with affordable, attractive rental housing. City-style services in a gorgeous, natural setting.

Live in your own home with a full basement and spacious yard for less than you would pay for a small apartment in most other cities.

Snow removal from your driveway in winter and lawn mowing in summer are both included in the rent.

The homes range from two-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom, two-storey homes, detached and semi-detached and some have garages. Tenants are free to plant flower or vegetable gardens, and pets are welcome.

Retirement Miramichi is just a short walk from Miramichi’s indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and walking trails. The city offers public transit service and an ultra-modern regional hospital. Restaurants, shopping, churches, a community college, library, marina, and exercise facilities are within 2.5 kilometres.

The Atlantic Ocean is a 30-minute drive. Boating, fishing, golfing, doing absolutely nothing – all are options at Retirement Miramichi!

Retirement Miramichi offers a wide variety of rental homes with a size and style to suit your budget and lifestyle. With rents starting at $767/ month, you’ll have more time and money in your pocket to do the things you want to do. Make the Right Move. Retire in Miramichi, New Brunswick.

How to Live to 100

WINDROSE ESTATES — COMFORT AND LUXURY

MLS® S13065468 | $2,999,000

This extraordinary Adelaide model, in a highly desirable location at the base of the escarpment, offers exceptional four-season living within an exclusive enclave of 43 estate lots surrounded by scenic landscapes, walking trails and a meandering creek. This spectacular bungalow sits on an almost 1-acre lot with seasonal views of Osler ski hills, minutes to Blue Mountain Village and a 3 minute drive to downtown Collingwood. Boasting almost 5000 sq. ft. of finished living space, this sun-filled home features 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, upgraded lighting, a dramatic Great Room with a 17’ high wood-beamed ceiling, 12’ ceilings throughout the rest of the main floor and a two-sided linear fireplace that seamlessly connects to the outside composite deck area - perfect for entertaining. The open-concept design flows into a chef-inspired kitchen with stone countertops and premium builtin appliances. The main level offers 2 luxurious primary suites with spa-like ensuites plus a third guest bedroom with ensuite, 8’ interior doors, laundry room and mud/ski room with inside access to the triple-car garage. The finished lower level features a glass and mirror-walled gym, executive office, 2 bedrooms, a 4 pc bathroom, media lounge with surround sound and bar area featuring backlit white onyx marble. Additional highlights include a paved driveway w/parking for 6 more cars, professional landscaping with irrigation, wholehome generator, water treatment system and smart home features. With close proximity to golf clubs, beaches, and marinas, this refined estate property is the ultimate year-round retreat.

FROM FIELD TO FORK

A symbiotic journey from soil to table—where stewardship becomes culinary excellence.

BY ANYA SHOR //

The Pine’s Qingdao Bivalves, a dish inspired by Qingdao, a Chinese coastal city known for its iconic clam dishes. Chef Jeremy Austin: “We’ve tried to capture those flavours in a single bite, featuring asparagus and sweet alyssum from Royl Acres Farm, fermented chili oil, surf clam conserva, blue mussel and a cinnamon basil emulsion.”

The Dance of Reciprocity

The work is a labour of love and necessity that not only provides a living but is a way of living.

In the Family

Today, Roy and Ginny’s vegetables are in such demand that sometimes there aren’t enough to go around.

“I learned how to cook, and I learned what to cook and why I’m cooking it. Through that I developed a passion again for food and where it comes from and I decided I wanted to be a farmer.”

Full Circle

MITCH GOOD

Kale of the Earth

“Farmers are really on the front line between wildness and civilization, and for some chefs that can be really challenging to navigate, and others, they get it, and it’s a real dream.”

MIKE REID

waterfront towns comIng soon to wasaga

Introducing an extraordinary collection of waterfront residences on the longest freshwater beach in the world. Set at the heart of Wasaga's waterfront transformation, The Breakers brings together contemporary coastal architecture, rooftop terraces, walkable amenities, and a vibrant four-season lifestyle. Whether as a year-round residence, a weekend retreat, or an investment in the future of Ontario's most celebrated shoreline, The Breakers offers a rare opportunity to be part of the next chapter of waterfront living.

TOWNHOMES STARTING FROM $795,000 *

PETER AND SUSAN DOWSE never imagined they would own two cottages a stone’s throw from each other. In fact, when they bought the first one in 2010, they weren’t sure they were even cottage people. Both grew up in Nova Scotia with family cottages, but there, the cabin is a place you can ride your bike to, laughs Peter Dowse. There’s no packing. No planning. No hauling. No traffic jams. You might go to the cottage for something as simple as a Sunday lunch with the extended family, he explains.

So, the couple, who now live in Toronto with their three kids, Owen, William and Norah, wondered if they were up to driving an hour and 45 minutes north every Friday.

“We thought we’d try it out,” says Dowse of their original purchase on Six Mile Lake. And they ended up loving it.

A mix of traditional and modern design elements creates a cottage that is cozy, comfy—and cool!

BY DIANNE RINEHART // PHOTOGRAPHY BY AIDAS RYGELIS

Foldaway doors bring the outside in, and a support structure that doesn’t require corner posts creates an unobstructed view. The soaring ceiling creates a feeling of space in a building with a small footprint.

A tiered deck does not require handrails, creating wideopen spaces for lounging and entertaining, while an outdoor fireplace keeps things cozy.

Then, when an old, one-room cabin went up for sale two doors away, the couple couldn’t resist its setting on a little peninsula. So, they scaled back their plans for a big renovation on their first cottage, settling for a simpler one that would at least keep rodents out, Dowse jokes, and turned their focus to the new property.

Luckily, they already had an architect they had worked with in the past on their prior Toronto

home—Nathan Buhler, the designer principal at BLDG Workshop—who understood that while they weren’t “modern architecture people,” they wanted functionality.

So, the cottage juxtaposes warm woodenwalled interiors with poured concrete flooring and modern uplights, for example. Meanwhile, traditional rooflines are contrasted against enormous asymmetrical windows.

And the couple were just as lucky with the builder they settled on: Ryan Robinson, president of RBA Projects North, which builds custom homes, cottages and recreational properties in Georgian Bay, Collingwood, Barrie and Muskoka. Robinson took over the project after the first builder didn’t work out, fixing things that weren’t done right, he says, before he could get to work on the rest.

The three—Peter Dowse (Susan gave him free reign on the design, he says), Buhler and Robinson—all just clicked, to the point Robinson says he’s now working on other projects with Buhler.

Dowse says he wanted a cottage where he could see a view from wherever he sat. And he got that in spades.

The result is a perfect mix of technical knowhow and beautiful design. And most importantly, it has vistas! Dowse says he wanted a cottage where he could see a view from wherever he sat. And he got that in spades. It starts when you drive up to the property and you can see right through the centre hall to the lake. The hallway acts as a breezeway on the first floor, and is a lovely glass enclosure, including a glass landing you can look down through, on the second.

Inside, the living room has foldaway windows with screens that can be pulled out, negating the need for extra square footage for a Muskoka room. “You’re effectively kind of outside, even though you’re in the living room,” says Dowse. That outdoor feeling is emphasized, even when the windows are closed, by the fact that where one wall of windows meets another in corners, there are no support posts to block the view. It required a lot of supporting structure to create that openair feel—“because any sagging would pop the windows out,” Dowse notes—but it was worth it.

“It’s very calming to sit there with a fire on and just stare at the lake,” says Dowse.

The principal bedroom is just as light-filled with a wall of windows on one end—with a glass door walkout onto the deck. Dowse says that the eastern light has made him a morning man for the first time in his life. Meanwhile, windows are placed high above sight lines on two walls of the ensuite bathroom, to let the light pour in while

ABOVE The eastern view from the principal bedroom makes the most of morning light. RIGHT Enormous paned windows were salvaged from the original old cabin and a glass floor in the hallway adds to the light-filled space. The blue door in the well-planned pantry hides the refrigerator.

maintaining privacy. And the bathroom on the floor above has a huge asymmetrical window right by the tub so that you can lie in a bubble bath and soak up the view. Need privacy? Pull a sail-shaped blind up (not down). The upstairs bedrooms, too, are blessed with light that pours through massive asymmetrical windows, as well as the glass walkway that leads between the two sides of the cottage.

Despite modern leanings, the cottage exudes warmth. The rafters and glulam beams (glued laminated timber) and most of the walls are various varieties of exposed wood, with a cathedral ceiling (echoing the feel of old cabins) soaring above the main living space, and a mezzanine with a hanging basket chair to look down at it all from. Meanwhile, interior walls are in warm golden or soft white stained cedar.

And even the modern twists add warmth. The home glows with modern lighting, for example, including uplights in the concrete floors, and gorgeous hanging pendants such as the large bulb one over the upstairs tub, and the pendant lights

And the bathroom on the floor above has a huge asymmetrical window right by the tub so that you can lie in a bubble bath and soak up the view.

over the kitchen counter that look like ladies’ summer hats floating on the breeze.

And the wall housing the fireplace in the living room is made with corten steel, which has a finish which oxidizes to look like it’s burnished and copper-toned. The same metal was used to clad an outdoor fireplace on the deck, and as a gorgeous overhang from the top floor over the first, as well as on the chimney.

Corten steel also clads “fins” that protrude out from the cottage, creating alcoves that in one case house an outdoor kitchen with a counter, sink, shelving, cupboards and a huge barbecue with an overhanging vent, and in another provide privacy for an outdoor shower. Abutting the metal are pretreated white cedar shakes that evoke the Dowse’s East Coast sensibilities and anchor the property back to its cottage roots.

“It’s not particularly big,” says Dowse of the 2,400-square-foot outcome sitting on an acre of property. But that’s what he wanted. And not an inch of space has gone to waste. Plus, it has what Dowse calls “quirky details” built in because he thought they would be “neat.”

Indeed, the cottage could have been designed as a sailboat with its ultra-organized galley in the pantry. Dowse says he thought through the perfect placement of everything from drawers to knives to where the garbage should go. “Everything has a spot.” He also likes that people sitting at the counter in the living room don’t feel like they are in a kitchen, because the fridge and freezer (along with countertop appliances and a small built-in

The upstairs bathroom provides an exquisite view from the tub, while in the ensuite (below), windows are placed high above the shower area for privacy.

oven) are in the pantry with all the food. That leaves a Wolfe stove on one wall of the kitchen, while the sink and dishwasher are set into another with a window placed strategically above the countertop but below the shelving.

“I like it when I realize ‘Yeah, I put that here for a reason,’” Dowse says now of the time spent thinking it all through with Buhler and Robinson. And the self-proclaimed “design nerd” loves the intricate details. For example, the fridge is hidden behind a bold, blue door—that doesn’t have a handle. One gentle push against the panel, and the fridge door swings open like a secret entrance.

Similarly, a door to the principal bedroom is hidden behind a blackened shou sugi ban (charred cedar) wall off the centre hall, without a visible handle. Instead, you need to know where the tiny metal pull is hidden. The door itself is thick with soundproofing to keep out any noise from the living area.

As well, the cottage has a Finnish fireplace, also called a masonry heater, built into the centre hall under a thoroughly modern black metal staircase with glass sides. It’s designed to heat the bricks surrounding it, to keep the cottage warm for 12 hours at a time.

minutes

of Owen Sound

The result is a perfect mix of technical know-how and beautiful design. And most importantly, it has vistas!

“I hate hot air (from forced air furnaces) blowing on me,” says Dowse. Hence the heated flooring, too.

Meanwhile, bookshelves were fit into a space at the entrance to the principal bedroom—because there was a perfect cubby of space!—and a desk sits in another small recess, facing a window.

The cottage also exudes a laid-back, luxury feel in the bathrooms. The ensuite bathroom on the main floor is divided into three separate areas. A blue-glazed glass wall separates the open shower area—with a tiled floor that looks like a quilt— from the toilet stall. And a half wall divides the shower area from a nook with a built-in double sink and cabinets. The second-floor bathroom has a tub that looks big enough to dive into, blue and grey glazed tiles that evoke the lake or seaside, and a cedar pitched ceiling.

Then there is a bedroom for their two boys with separate beds built into the eaves, plus another one built above, accessible by a rung-style playground ladder, a separate bedroom for their daughter, and what Dowse calls a “bunkie” area—a TV room open to the hallway with a pullout sofa.

The second floor is also where the heartbeat of

the cottage is, with a mechanical room that looks like the control room in a submarine.

And the builders never forgot what the cottage is—a place that brings the outdoors in. And that includes building a gorgeous mudroom with closets, hooks and shelving that provide a space for boots, snowshoes, skis and all the other accoutrements that come with an active life. It also has a built-in laundry so there’s no need to drag dirty wet towels through the cottage! That’s something Toronto builders might not have thought of, notes Robinson, who spent his summers growing up building and playing in cottage country.

Outside, the cedar deck, built in tiers so that no railings are needed, has been treated so it looks the same colour as the bedrock it’s placed on. A rock outcropping acts as a perfect footpath down to the firepit on the water, while a boathouse—that Dowse jokingly refers to as “a marina for very old boats”—echoes the beauty of the home with its metal fins and cedar shakes.

So, what about the old cottage next door? Will they sell?

That’s for the kids as they get older, Dowse says. “That’s where they have a place to hang out with their friends and they’re not feeling like they’re on top of the adults.”

As usual, true to the character that is reflected so thoroughly in the new build, Dowse is planning!

TOP The boathouse exterior echoes the weathered corten steel and cedar-shake textures of the cottage (top right). The young at heart can jump from the second floor that doubles as a bunkie and storage area. ABOVE In the centre hall, which acts as a breezeway, the dark shou sugi ban wall conceals a door to the principal bedroom; the Finnish fireplace tucked beneath the staircase can heat the entire cottage for 12 hours straight.

Savour Summer

Goods and services to seize the fleetingest and sweetest of seasons.

GARDENS CREATE VALUE in your life.

According to Chris Sweatman, owner and operator of EcoCultures, a garden that puts a smile on your face offers far more in return than a traditional lawn. The joy of stepping into a landscape buzzing with pollinators and filled with plants that serve a purpose outweighs the monoculture of grass that demands weekly mowing while providing little ecological benefit.

Budding prairie smoke (Geum triflorum).

BEAUTIFUL BY Nature

Redefining the modern garden through native plants, edible landscapes and pollinatorfriendly blooms.

BY NICOLE HILTON //

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROGER KLEIN

“As the seasons progress, you can leave your garden as it is, so all of the beneficial insects have a place to spend the winter, and birds have food.”

—Chris Sweatman

WHILE A BACKYARD with dedicated space for family and pets still has its place, eco-gardens embrace balance by mixing native species and edible plants with softer, lower-maintenance alternatives to lawn, such as fescue, clover and thyme. The result is a landscape that not only supports the environment and looks beautiful through the seasons, but feels good beneath your feet, too.

Sweatman started his landscaping company in 2015 and opened Grey Heron Garden Centre with his wife, Katie, in 2020. Grey Heron offers a curated selection of native plants, pollinator favourites, fruit trees and shrubs throughout the season, along with spring annuals, garden decor, landscape supplies, and a wealth of planting and design knowledge.

In fact, the inspiration behind the garden centre is his Aunt Bette, the proprietor of a landscape business named Blue Heron and Sweatman’s mentor in his twenties, who can frequently be found giving garden consultations on weekends.

Grey Heron and EcoCultures work hand in hand, with project manager Charly Baxter collaborating closely on everything from client meetings and design to plant sourcing and ongoing plant health, creating a seamless connection between the landscape plans and the plants that bring them to life.

“To make anything awesome, you have to make a mess,” says Sweatman. “It’s always wonderful on the last day of a project when you mulch a garden that’s gone from nothing to something ready to be enjoyed.”

At EcoCultures, the goal is not simply to install a garden, but to bring a homeowner’s vision to life through a landscape that continues to evolve. Like a living work of art, the garden shifts with the seasons,

TOP Frog pond with cattails. ABOVE Foamflower (Tiarella).

always leaving room for another layer or addition. That vision blossomed for Jeff and Lara Jackson and their four children, whose property near Metcalfe Rock has been transformed by EcoCultures since 2024 into a thriving native garden that blends seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape.

Even though Jeff Jackson has spent his career playing and working in the pro hockey industry, which is very different from gardening, he’s always had an interest in landscaping. “When we got the property, I was a big fan of a landscape architect named Piet Oudolf,” says Jackson, referring to Oudolf’s project on the New York City High Line that features sweeping perennial designs across the old railway. “I had one of his books in the back of my mind, and I wanted to try to accomplish his style of natural gardens because we had the perfect blank slate to work with at the property.”

Some of Oudolf’s most recognizable design elements include his use of perennials and grasses that mimic wild ecosystems, layering for visual appeal, creating interest across all four seasons, and planting in waves rather than organized rows. The aesthetic he achieves is mostly romantic, with soft movement and beauty at every stage of the garden’s lifecycle.

“The gardens are not just beautiful in the summer,” explains Jackson. “They’re beautiful all year round. As the plants become more mature, the garden will become exactly the vision that I wanted.”

A thoughtfully designed native garden doesn’t stop performing after the good weather fades. “When you look out the window at a garden, you should have something of interest all season long,” says Sweatman. “As the seasons progress, you can leave your garden as it is, so all of the beneficial insects have a place to spend the winter, and birds have food.”

With that in mind, Sweatman and Baxter drafted a plan that complements Jackson’s idyllic six acres, barn, pond, and meadow that will one day evolve into a thriving vegetable garden and wildflower space. EcoCultures approached the project in stages, beginning with the front garden before expanding to the

“The gardens are not just beautiful in the summer, they’re beautiful all year round. As the plants become more mature, the garden will become exactly the vision that I wanted.”

—Jeff Jackson

Clockwise from top left: golden alexanders (Zizia aurea), wild indigo (Baptisia), woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata), seeding foamflower (Tiarella).

ABOVE

Charly Baxter propagates native plants at Grey Heron Garden Centre. LEFT Baxter planting clumps of native sedges.

back of the house the following year. Baxter created a hand-drawn design inspired by Oudolf’s distinctive style, along with a plant list intended to bring both unity and diversity across the entire property.

“When you’re choosing native plants, it’s important to be patient,” explains Baxter, noting that this type of garden is an investment. “It’s a long-term project that’s not like ornamental gardens. It’s not going to be instant, and it can take a couple of years before native plants reach their prime. You’re essentially building habitat.”

Baxter explains she wants clients to feel like they are being stewards of the earth and using their space wisely. When she first met Jeff and Lara, she learned that Lara really likes butterflies, particularly all the different kinds of swallowtails. With her vast knowledge, she helped them choose plants, like golden alexanders, that are hosts for that family of butterflies.

“It makes me feel like I’m helping save the world when I choose native plants for people’s gardens,” says Baxter, remarking on the importance of selecting plants with a greater purpose.

“It makes me feel like I’m helping save the world when I choose native plants for people’s gardens.”

—Charly Baxter

“Keystone species feed the greatest number of insects and pollinators. For example, 445 species of caterpillars use the oak tree as a host. Herbaceous plants like goldenrods, asters and native sunflowers are also incredibly important. Twenty-two pollen specialist bees rely on goldenrods.”

Sweatman explains that timing also plays an important role in the success of native gardens. While many homeowners rush to plant in spring, he says that fall is ideal because conditions allow roots to soak up moisture before winter dormancy, helping the garden return stronger and more resilient the following season. Both Sweatman and Baxter agree that once established, a native garden becomes surprisingly low maintenance. As the plants mature and fill in, Baxter explains, they naturally crowd out the weeds.

But for Jackson, the greatest reward has little to do with maintenance.

“I like that no matter where we sit in the house, whether it’s on the screened-in porch or toward the back, there’s a nice view of gardens now,” he says. “The variation of different grasses stands out to me. They blow in the wind with a shimmer.”

It’s that sense of movement, beauty and connection to the landscape that defines eco-gardening and the spaces designed not only to be admired, but truly lived in.

Beyond the Court

Cheryl HYGIENIST

Dr Robert McCoppen DDS

Denise HYGIENIST

“For pickleball players, Pilates can improve rotational mobility through the thoracic spine, strengthen the deep core and glutes for better power and stability on the court.”

Meaghan Brook, founder of Motiv Pilates

McMillan adds that training for pickleball should always be tailored to the individual. Generally, players benefit from improving upper and lower-body strength, core stability, balance and mobility to support overall movement and performance.

Meaghan Brook, founder of Motiv Pilates, says she’s seen an increase in clients attending her classes to support both their pickleball performance and overall movement health.

“Our classes focus heavily on alignment, core strength, posture, stability and controlled movement patterns,” explains Brook. “For

pickleball players, Pilates can improve rotational mobility through the thoracic spine, strengthen the deep core and glutes for better power and stability, and enhance balance and body awareness to support quicker, more efficient movement on the court.”

Many of her clients also find Pilates helpful for injury prevention and recovery, particularly around the shoulders, knees, hips and lower back, which can become stressed with repetitive play.

“One of the things we love most about Pilates is that it helps people move better not just during exercise, but in everyday life and the activities they enjoy most,” says Brook.

The Long Game

Julie Moss-Kujala, co-clinic director at Lifemark Collingwood Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre isn’t surprised by the increase in pickleball-related visits to the clinic.

“When more people participate in a sport, naturally, we see more injuries associated with it,” she says. “We’re treating everything from rotator cuff injuries to tendinitis, and in some cases, more serious acute injuries.”

According to Moss-Kujala, injuries often stem from overuse, insufficient recovery time, poor warm-up habits, or players jumping into a sport without the strength and mobility required to support repetitive movement. Existing physical issues can also become more noticeable once someone begins to play regularly.

What people may not realize, she explains, is that physiotherapy can also play a preventative role.

“Know your body and identify if you have any issues,” says Moss-Kujala. “Start with an assessment to find out where you may have tightness, weakness or joint concerns. Then, we’ll build a specific stretching and strengthening program that supports general fitness, which is the best way to prevent injury.”

Dr. Sarah Hogan (known as Dr. Sarah), a chiropractor who practices in Meaford and Clarksburg, has also noticed a significant rise in pickleball-related conversations with her patients over the last several years—particularly among adults over 50.

“I absolutely love that people in our community are excited about a new sport, motivated to be active, and are moving their bodies more,” says Dr. Sarah. “Whether it’s pickleball or another form of exercise, you are doing something wonderful for yourself. Your body craves movement.”

She has treated minor injuries like muscle strains, tendinitis and joint issues with chiropractic care by restoring proper biomechanics, improving

balance and coordination, optimizing brain-body communication, and correcting misalignments.

“I’m a big fan of ‘prehab’ to hopefully avoid rehab,” she says. “When you exercise more, you need to do more maintenance work, and your body will benefit from regular care.” In addition to chiropractic care, she encourages players to prioritize hydration, sleep, nutrition, recovery and cross-training through activities like Pilates, cycling, hiking or training to support overall movement and health.

Taking a practical approach by listening to your body, easing into the sport, and seeking professional guidance when needed can help players stay active and healthy.

“Pickleball has increased activity levels for many people because it’s so fun and social,” says Moss-Kujala. “It’s important to take a proactive approach to support your body so you can continue developing and enjoying the sport.”

Whether players are chasing competition, connection, or a fun way to stay active, experts agree that the key to longevity in pickleball is taking care of your body so you can keep playing for years to come.

MOVE BETTER PLAY BETTER

The Northwood Club recommends focusing on these four key areas:

Strength—generate more power in shots and move efficiently around the court.

Cardiovascular endurance maintain energy during long rallies and extended matches.

Hand-eye coordination—react quickly to fast-paced shots and changing plays.

Balance and stability—improve footwork, control and injury prevention.

PICKLEBALL ESSENTIALS

Court shoes with proper grip and support

Protective eyewear that’s shatterproof

Cushioned athletic socks to reduce impact and blistering

Braces or sleeves for support and shock absorption

Water bottle for hydration during breaks

Photo: Town + County Collective

Meaghan Brook of Motiv Pilates.

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