HOME The Energy of the River

by Danielle French South Pond Home www.southpondfarms.ca @howyouplaythegame Podcast

Since moving to Peterborough now almost 2 years ago, I’ve come to know the city by walking the wild and crazy dogs I have, Ozzie and Harriet. They are high energy Aussie Shepherds and without the acres of the farm to keep them tired out they insist on regular walks and I am happy to oblige. Most every day, I’m with them sometimes (most often) pulling me along in search for squirrels, birds, bunnies and any other type of wildlife in our path. It has been wonderful being able to explore my new community on foot.

I love that Peterborough has signage all over the extensive trail and path system in town with directions and historical information about specific locales. One spot I particularly like is the area around King and Water Street - where Millennium Park begins, the Silver Bean cafe is tucked in near the water and the park generally is full of benches, sculpture, fountains and landscape shrubs and flowers. On weekends, I might try to pull over for an ice cream cone if the dogs aren’t too distracted with all the other activities nearby.

It’s interesting that this area was the early settlement of Scott’s Plains - later named Peterborough -after Adam Scott and his family originally from the British Isles and who settled here migrating north from Port Hope in the early 1800’s. He constructed his house, a sawmill and distillery on the banks of the Otonabee river and these buildings were the first in the area. Now I might grab a gelato or spa treatment from this original site!

When I walk along here it is clear to see how strong the current is where the river swells and turns into Little Lake. I can see logs and sometimes debris floating at a great speed down the river and in the winter, the current does not allow the lake to freeze where it is strongest. I understand that this strength in the water powered the mill well and helped transport the logs and lumber to other destinations. It is clear that the river’s energy provided growth for the entire region in processing timber and attracting other settlers to Peterborough.

The Anishinaabe, Mississauga First Nation people lived in this region well before Adam Scott’s arrival and already used the river in a variety of ways. Their canoes navigated the river between their communities and trading posts. They were able to transport their own resources efficiently on the river and offshoot waterways and in those days, the clean river water was used for fishing, trapping, its purity significant for cultural ceremonies along its banks.

The English settlers built roads, and other types of infrastructure such as churches, housing, commercial establishments which in turn attracted more people gradually pushing the First Nation peoples further away from the area and their livelihood.

Nevertheless, I appreciate how this area is preserved today in nature even though most all of the original structures are long gone. There are places to sit along the river and watch the geese and ducks raise their little ones and periodically, canoes also for rent nearby, float by with paddlers making their way up the river through the lock system to picnic or simply enjoy being on the water.

I’m grateful for water so close to where I live. Water is calming and I feel the energy from the river just walking, connecting with its history. I love the fountain during the summer. I believe people appreciate that we have this natural resource close by and strive to keep it free from human harm. The river is a special spot here in Peterborough, its flow curving through communities is almost like a secret that many don’t realize is so close by.