FRONT PORCH LIFE
Live Better in Westport, Ontario
A PLACE THAT WILL REGENERATE YOU
In a scene in the documentary film Lunatic Farmer, Joel Salatin stands in a carpet of lush grass under towering trees on the family farm in the Shenandoah Valley in West Virginia. A few pigs root through the grass at his feet.
It’s cool under the forest canopy. Birds nest in the trees. It’s calm, idyllic… and uncommon.
Salatin’s ideas around regenerative agriculture challenge the status quo. His pasture feels a million miles away from the typical deafening,
harsh, concrete jungle of a modern hog barn. And the results are undeniable: Healthy soil, thriving animals, and a profitable, generation-building farm.
The idea of regeneration isn’t just for agriculture. It’s happening in the village of Westport too.
Stephen Rolston, co-founder and owner of Land Ark Homes, is incorporating the idea of regeneration into real estate. Continued on page 2 >>
Regenerative real estate says that our communities don’t need to be sprawling, concrete jungles. Regenerative real estate focuses on built environments that contribute to the health of people and the planet.
Rolston is willing to sacrifice a quick profit to build something undeniably different and healthier. People coming to Watercolour for the first time walk on the property and experience a sense of peace and undeniable optimism for their future.
"At Watercolour, everything is designed to connect people to nature and neighbour."
Backyard spaces create opportunities for personal regeneration with "living fences", made by planting a row of trees back to back in adjoining yards. This produces a natural screen of trees between homes. Front porches are perfect for informal entertaining or as the best place to read a good book. Park benches in public parks encourage visiting. Sidewalks, long ago abandoned by other developers as wasted, unsellable space, encourage walking and unhurried conversations.
It hasn’t been easy. The way our cities have been built for the past 80 years is killing us. We are isolated commuters who don’t share community.
There’s a connectivity at Watercolour born out of its walkability. Every home has easy access to natural spaces and footpaths.
And overlooking it all is a park, featuring multiple gathering spaces and two street-front access points. People will sit down, visit, sip coffee, or play chess, looking out at the escarpment or the village below.
Imagine that: Living in a place that regenerates you.
Watercolour is a walkable community surrounded by some of the most stunning natural vistas in Eastern Ontario.
Stephen Rolston is seeing his vision for a community that contributes to the health of people and the planet come to life.
PHASE 3: BUILDING ON THE WATERCOLOUR VISION
Watercolour Phase 3 is a place where even more people can flourish and thrive in Westport.
Phase 3 builds on our vision for a truly walkable community where people are connected to nature and neighbour.
Key natural features are given prominence in this new phase. Just like Harvest Creek and Rice Farm phases, sidewalks and walking paths curve around the beauty of the natural landscape. A total of 2.7 km of walking trails will become a favourite place for exercise and connection.
A new park presents spectacular views of Sand Lake and Foley Mountain, surely to become a favourite place for sunset walks and family photos. Phase 3 has 26% green space – significantly more than you’ll find in the typical new development where planners consider anything more than 5% as generous. Lineal corridors connect the large parks and make the whole community even more walkable.
Beautiful tree-lined boulevards echo Church Street. Homes with big front porches, pulled closer to the street for easy visiting between neighbours, reflect the best parts of Westport.
This latest phase introduces a diverse collection of homes, including single-detached, semi-detached, and attached townhomes. Like every home at Watercolour, the Phase 3 homes are all Net Zero Ready, engineered to be remarkably energy-efficient, offering homeowners the potential to generate as much energy as they consume with the addition of solar panels. Imagine an entire community powered by the sun.
is
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS One-Year Reduction Projection
The carbon and energy impact of Watercolour Westport.
75 3,750
Number of residences
Projected Energy Reduction (GJ)
319 $112,500
Projected GHG Reduction (TCO2e)
Projected Operating Costs Reduction ($)
108,194 L of gas which is equivalent to 30.78 - 16' x 40'swimming pools full
6.54 MIL.KM driven by a 2014 Ford F150 4x4 5.0L
35 HOMES to be continuously operated with energy for one year
30 hot air balloons filled with C02
29 ACRES of forests that would havebeen needed to sequester the emissions C02 saved
Kevin Rankin, general manager of Land Ark homes, helping explain Rolston's vision for a walkable community at a public consultation. Phase 3
now approved.
Westport Living in Healthier
It’s time to step out of REDline living and into the BLUE zone.
Most city dwellers are used to living at maximum speed. We roar about town from work to the grocery store, competing for parking spaces and a spot in the shortest checkout line. Our schedules are booked by the minute. Even exercise requires a stress-inducing drive to the gym.
But research shows that this jam-packed existence isn’t giving us what we truly want: A long, healthy, purposeful life, surrounded by people who know and love us. A life like that is found in the blue zone, a term coined in research conducted by Dan Buettner, author of the Blue Zones series of books.
Blue zone living is a recipe for a long, healthy life. Many believe living in Westport is a place where this can happen. And they are moving here and adopting some of the best principles of blue-zone living in our vibrant village.
With a welcoming, walkable community connected to nature, it doesn’t take long for people to find a home in Westport. Maybe that’s because finding your place here might also mean finding a source of healthier living.
Ways to Live in the Blue Zone
MOVE NATURALLY
Walking, gardening, hiking… you don’t need a fancy gym to be healthy. At Watercolour, take your lunch break walking by the gurgling Harvest Creek and feel connected to your body and nature. Natural movement will serve you well.
DOWNSHIFT
Develop rituals to reduce stress. How about cutting loose from the daily commute? As one Watercolour resident, Jonathan Buma, says, “I traded the red brake lights of the QEW for the green forests and blue lakes of Westport.”
FIND PURPOSE
Westport is a vibrant village with a strong volunteer culture. Healthy churches and community service groups are a short walk from Watercolour. There’s room to grow and connect with people pulling for a common cause.
FAMILY AND CREATIVITY IN THE
BLUE ZONE
and
to Watercolour so their kids would be more familiar with green
than they would the
red of brake lights.
and
Jonathan works as an application specialist for Toronto’s University Health Network. With fibre optic internet to the door, living in Watercolour offered the Bumas everything they needed for Jonathan to work remotely.
Now, instead of joining an interminably long queue to
escape the city on a Friday afternoon, Jonathan can grab his fishing rod and walk to Upper Rideau Lake, minutes from his front door. Their kids play along the Harvest Creek Trail, finding frogs and sometimes spotting deer. One evening, Samantha and Jonathan heard three great horned owls while sitting in their backyard.
Living in Westport is a far cry from the stress of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and a lot closer to the blue zone.
Samantha
Jonathan Buma moved
forests
blue lakes
bright
Friendships are renewed (and made!) at neighbourhood events in Westport.
Boutiques, bakeries, and bistros are all just a short walk from Watercolour.
Great community spirit keeps Westport vibrant and makes healthy living easy.
SPECTRUM KITCHENS
Stop scrolling.
See multiple luxurious and attainable designer kitchens in one visit to Watercolour.
AtWatercolour Westport, you can tour half a dozen move-in ready model homes with each kitchen designed by our trusted partner, Spectrum Kitchens. Every detail in the kitchens is designed to elevate daily living – a worthy heart to a beautiful home.
Kim Ozen is the design consultant for Spectrum Kitchens. Her specialty lies in transforming limitations into opportunities. She thrives on working with smaller custom builders like Land Ark Homes, who share her commitment to offering homeowners a wealth of customizations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional.
Every kitchen is a source of pride for Kim and the Spectrum team. She guides each project from the initial design phase through to the moment the vision becomes reality - a process she describes as “seeing the view of design to reality.”
Spectrum Kitchens is proudly Canadian owned and operated, sourcing materials domestically almost exclusively.
Working with Spectrum is a seamless, fullservice experience. Their process covers every
“It’s not difficult to build a beautiful kitchen when you have an unlimited budget,” says Ozen. “It’s making the kitchen flow and beautiful and keep within the budget.”
step from design to manufacture, delivery and installation, and finishing details. This comprehensive approach ensures that every homeowner enjoys a seamless experience and a kitchen that stands the test of time.
You can take a virtual tour of our homes on our website.
A SEAMLESS, FULL-SERVICE EXPERIENCE
Spectrum’s process covers every step:
1. Design
2. Manufacture
3. Delivery and Installation
4. Finishing Details
5. Customer Satisfaction & Service
The showpiece kitchen in the new model home, The Crosby+Loft, showcases Spectrum’s commitment to both beauty and sustainability. Working closely with Cosentino, Spectrum selected quartz countertops and Dekton surfaces that are as eco-responsible as they are stunning. The quartz, imported from Spain, contains 80% less silica than the industry standard and is produced using water recycling methods. The Dekton used in the Crosby+Loft kitchen is a Net Zero product, entirely man-made and environmentally conscious.
This comprehensive approach ensures that every homeowner enjoys a seamless experience and a kitchen that stands the test of time.
For Ozen, every kitchen must achieve a “beautiful balance and durability with timeless design.” Land Ark Homes exemplifies this vision by offering personalizations that ensure each kitchen is as unique as its homeowners, without sacrificing functionality or flow.
Come dream and design with us.
WESTPORT: A HIKER’S HAVEN AT WATERCOLOUR
Westport puts a world of trails within easy reach - in every season.
Nestled
at the heart of a vast trail network, Westport has earned a reputation as Ontario’s hiking hub.
For residents of Watercolour, like Randal Goodfellow and his wife Sharon, the call of the wild is answered just steps from their front door. The couple was drawn to Watercolour not only for its natural beauty, but also for the village’s vibrant amenities: cozy coffee shops, a well-stocked grocery store, a handy pharmacy, and a welcoming library. This blend of convenience and connection to nature makes Westport an ideal home for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking is more than a pastime for the Goodfellows; it’s a way of life. Whether embarking on a five-day trek or a peaceful afternoon stroll, they find themselves immersed in the region’s stunning landscapes.
“For us, hiking is meditative,” says Randal. “The rhythm of walking becomes as natural as breathing.”
Westport’s location puts a world of trails within easy reach. The renowned Rideau Trail, stretching 325 kilometres from Kingston to Ottawa, passes right through the village, offering unparalleled variety - from tranquil farmland walks to rugged Canadian Shield adventures. The historic K&P Trail, once the Kingston and Pembroke Railway, now serves as a 180-kilometre recreational path dotted with inviting stops - think restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and even a local brewery. Portions of both the K&P and Cataraqui Trails form part of the Trans Canada Trail, linking Westport to a coast-to-coast network.
Nature’s wonders aren’t limited to the trails themselves. The story of Alice the Moose, who trekked from New York’s Adirondack Park, swam the St. Lawrence and passed just east of Westport before reaching Algonquin Park, inspired the creation of the 640-kilometre long A2A Trail. This remarkable route connects the Adirondacks to Algonquin, weaving through the UNESCO-designated Frontenac Arch Biosphere—a hotspot for biodiversity and a crossroads of migratory paths and forest systems.
WATERCOLOUR WESTPORT IS A HIKER’S DREAM
Direct access to extensive, scenic hiking trails
Proximity to essential village amenities
• Opportunities for both short walks and multi-day hikes
Trails suitable for all seasons: hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing
Unique biodiversity within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere
Connection to legendary routes like the Rideau, K&P, and A2A Trails
For those who crave adventure and tranquillity in equal measure, Watercolour Westport offers the perfect base. Visit the Watercolour website or connect with local trail associations for maps and resources to start your next journey.
ANCIENT HUNTING GROUNDS, WATER, AND WESTPORT’S HISTORY
The shimmering lakes and ancient granite cliffs make Westport a naturally beautiful place to live. They also hold an ancient history, serving as a living history museum for its lucky residents.
There’s plenty of history to be found around Westport that dates back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests Indigenous people lived and hunted in the area as early as 7,000 BC. Ancient arrowheads, formed by carefully shaping a rock, like flint, with another rock, are still found in the area, especially around Sand Lake.
For thousands of years, the land was difficult to reach and Westport's potential lay largely untapped. Early settlers, primarily Loyalists and Irish immigrants, began to carve out lives from the wilderness, relying on rudimentary roads and grueling portages over land.
More recently, Westport owes much of its character to the sinuous ribbon of water known as the Rideau Canal Waterway. The village’s recent history is one of pioneers, commerce, and the strategic foresight that harnessed nature to forge a nation.
The Rideau Canal Waterway, a military supply route connecting Kingston to Ottawa, was constructed from 1826 to 1832 by LieutenantColonel John By. Chaffey’s Locks, one of 24 lock stations, was completed in 1831 and remains active today for pleasure craft.
Westport continues to be shaped by its proximity to the Rideau Waterway, North America's oldest continuously operated canal system.
Westport's growth surged when Upper Rideau Lake became part of the navigation system. This led to the establishment of mills, merchants, inns, and taverns, transforming the village into
a bustling hub of trade and transportation, reliant on canal traffic.
Westport's bond with the Rideau remained strong. The waterway transitioned from a military and commercial artery to a recreational paradise. The picturesque lakes and the meticulously maintained locks continue to draw visitors, now seeking leisure rather than commerce. Westport, with its natural beauty and charming village atmosphere, adapted, transforming into a beloved cottage country destination.
Today, the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to define Westport. Boaters, paddlers, and cyclists flock to its shores, drawn by the history, the tranquility, and the vibrant community that has blossomed alongside the water.
The old stone buildings now host boutiques and eateries and stand as silent witnesses to the era when the canal breathed life into the village. Westport's history is not merely near the Rideau Canal – the waterway is woven into its very fabric, a testament to the enduring embrace of water.
Like in Muskoka, early tourists to the Rideau Lakes came by ship.
WE LOVE LOCAL
OUR MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCER LIVES IN WATERCOLOUR WESTPORT!
From our Watercolour Kitchen
BALSAMIC & MAPLE VINAIGRETTE
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
INSTRUCTIONS
When you visit Watercolour, find time for lunch or dinner at one of the village's newest restaurants, Forno
The kitchen produces the most mouth-watering sourdough pizza and bread and it's literally steps from our Concession Street entrance.
Select an oil of your preference, such as olive, walnut, sunflower, or canola. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
SERVING SUGGESTION
Enjoy this vinaigrette on your favourite salad greens.
Watch or listen to the Watercolour Stories Podcast — where heart meets home.
Join Stephen Rolston, founder of Land Ark Homes, and Wafa Martin as they share the inspiring stories behind this one-of-a-kind community.
From the visionaries who brought the neighbourhood to life to the families who now call it home, you’ll hear the real stories that give Watercolour Westport its heart and soul.
Looking for a better place to call home? You just might find it here.
We love giving away syrup to our guests in the model home. It's a sweet reminder of their visit with us. Some of them come back to stay!
MOVE-IN READY HOMES AVAILABLE
