West Parry Sound Area: The Parry Sound Area consists of 7 municipalities including the Township of the Archipelago, Carling Township, the Municipality of McDougall, the Township of McKellar, the Town of Parry Sound, Seguin Township, and the Municipality of Whitestone. The Parry Sound Area has a population of approximately 18,000 people, with this number increasing drastically in the summer months with the influx of cottagers and seasonal residents.
Township of the Archipelago: The Township of the Archipelago is located on Georgian Bay. The population is approximately 500 permanent residents, with it increasing to about 9,000 in the summer months. The township has two non-contiguous parts. The northern part of the township includes the village of Pointe Au Baril on the mainland and most of the geographic townships of Shawanaga and Harrison. This covers the islands and shoreline of Georgian Bay from the Twin Sisters, at the northern boundary of Carling Township, north to Charles Inlet and the Naiscoot River, a few kilometres south of Britt. The southern part consists of the geographic townships of Cowper and Conger that includes the islands and shoreline of Georgian Bay southwest of Parry Sound, from Twelve Mile Bay (at the Muskoka District boundary) to Parry Island and up to the South Channel almost to the Town of Parry Sound. The township is categorized by numerous islands and bays that attract large amounts of tourists and seasonal residents in the summer months. Much of its area is undeveloped and crown-owned land. The communities included in the Township of the Archipelago are: Bayfield Inlet, Blackstone Lake, Copperhead, Five Mile Bay, Georgian Inlet, Manbert, Manitou Dock, Naiscoot, Nares Inlet, Niweme, Ojibway Island, Pointe au Baril, Sans Souci, Seven Mile Narrows, Skerryvore, and Woods Bay. The township has a number of marinas with customer service, boat launches, boat rentals, winter storage, parking, etc. Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park is located in the Township of the Archipelago. The Pointe Au Baril Lighthouse is located in the township as well. The Lighthouse is a historic landmark in the area. It is open for tours in the summer months. The Lighthouse is a part of a light system which includes a range tower and a turn buoy which work together to allow safe travel through the many shoals that cover the eastern coast of Georgian Bay. In the winter months, the area is popular for snowmobiling and many people snowmobile on Georgian Bay, depending on the ice levels. There is a public rink in Pointe Au Baril that is used for skating and ice hockey. For more information please visit: http://www.thearchipelago.on.ca
Carling Township: Carling Township is also located on Georgian Bay, north of Parry Sound. Carling Township has a population of approximately 1,300 people with the population expanding in the summer months with the increase of cottagers in the area. Carling Township includes the communities of Adanac, Brooks Landing, Carling, Dillon, Killbear Park, Shebeshekong, Snug Habour, Snug Haven, and Woods. Killbear Provincial Park is located in Carling Township. The park’s proximity to southern Ontario makes it very popular, especially in peak season, and reservations are often necessary despite its large number of campsites. Activities include camping, swimming, boating, cycling, and fishing. The Parry Sound Area Industrial Park is located in Carling Township. For more information please visit: http://www.carlingtownship.ca/
Municipality of McDougall: The Municipality of McDougall is located just to the north of the Town of Parry Sound. The municipality has a population of approximately 2,705 permanent residents with the population expanding during the summer months to include the seasonal residents. The community of Nobel is the largest development area in the municipality; a smaller community exists at Waubamik. The majority of the land area in the municipality is zoned rural, there are many waterfront areas located on Georgian Bay or on the many inland lakes and river systems. Nobel Public School is located in the municipality. The Nobel Business District is located in the Municipality of McDougall. The Business District consists of many businesses, most of which are focused on building construction and manufacturing. There are also a few golf courses located near the Nobel Business District. The municipality has five beaches including: Nobel Beach, Bell Lake Beach, Taylor Beach, Nine Mile Lake Beach, and Long Lake Estates Beach. There is also the McDougall Recreation Centre in the area. This new facility consists of a concrete play surface, state of the art dashboard and glass system, two heated washrooms, two heated change rooms and a kitchen/concession room. The facility has a covered roof system and is enclosed on three walls. This facility is used in the summer season for ball hockey, rollerblading, skateboarding and other activities, such as shuffleboard. During the winter months, the Municipality maintains a natural ice surface which is looked after on a daily basis with an Olympia Ice Resurfacer. Ice hockey is extremely popular in the winter. For more information, please visit: http://www.municipalityofmcdougall.com/
The Township of McKellar: The Township of McKellar is located approximately 20 km northeast of the Town of Parry Sound. The Township is a rural, residential and recreational area located on Highway 124. McKellar has a year round population of about 950 people, with this number increasing substantially in the summer months. The McKellar Community Centre houses the Municipal Office, the Public Library, the Council Chambers, and the Banquet Hall. The township has a volunteer fire department with two fire stations. Other population centres that are located in the township are Hurdville and Broadbent. With over 15 lakes, numerous rivers and miles of groomed snowmobile trails, residents and visitors to the area have a multitude of activities to do all year round. For more information, please visit: http://www.township.mckellar.on.ca/
Town of Parry Sound: The Town of Parry Sound sits at the centre of the 7 municipalities in the area and is located on Georgian Bay. It has a population of approximately 6,500 permanent residents. Parry Sound is the commercial hub servicing a year-round population of 18,000 people (all 7 municipalities) and a seasonal population of 60,000 plus. It is only a 2.5 hour drive or 45 minute flight from Toronto. Parry Sound is rich in arts, culture and heritage. The Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts and Bobby Orr Hall of Fame is located in Parry Sound. The centre is home to the international chamber summer music festival, the Festival of the Sound. It is also home to the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame, which pays tribute to our hometown hockey hero, Bobby Orr. The centre also hosts great musicians and performers year-round. There is also the annual Dragon Boat races that take place on the shores of Georgian Bay every June. It is a great event that attracts people from multiple areas. There are also many sports and recreation opportunities in Parry Sound. The Bobby Orr Community Centre (BOCC) is home to the local ice rink and hockey is a favourite pastime in the area. Many supporters frequent the BOCC every weekend to watch the local hockey teams. Skating is also available at the BOCC. There are many trails used for cross-country skiing in the winter months. Snowmobiling is also popular during the winter. There are trails running through Parry Sound that connect to many areas. During the summer months, the water of Georgian Bay is where you will find most people. Fishing, swimming, boating, sailing, water sports, canoeing, and kayaking are all popular activities in the summer months. There are many marinas in the area that accommodate boat dockage, provide fuel, mechanical service and customer service. Sightseeing tours of the 30,000 Islands are offered by Georgian Bay Airways, and the Island Queen and the MV Chippawa cruise ships. The area is also home to White Squall Outfitters, a sport outfitter which offers kayak and canoe rentals and tours during the summer, as well as winter sporting gear rentals during the winter. For more information, please visit: http://www.townofparrysound.com/
Seguin Township: Seguin Township is the most southerly municipality in the Parry Sound Area. It is also the first municipality in Northern Ontario on the Highway 69 and 400 corridor. Seguin Township is the amalgamated municipality of the former Townships of Christie, Foley and Humphrey, and the Village of Rosseau, as well as an annexation of the western portion of the unorganized Township of Monteith. The municipality stretches over an area of 700 square kilometres. The municipality has a population of approximately 4,250 permanent residents. During the seasonal months, the population increases to over 15,000. The municipality is greatly focused on the environment. Seguin offers a variety of exciting programs throughout the year for residents and visitors. All of the programs promote healthy, active living, as well as family and community relationships. There are different types of programs, including indoor ball hockey, roller skating, lakeside swim lessons, youth camps, yoga, meditation, pickleball, and many more. The municipality has a number of facilities that offer great space for events, including the Foley Activity Centre, the Foley Agricultural Hall, the Humphrey Community Centre, the Humphrey Museum, the Orrville Community Centre, the Rosseau Field House, and the Rosseau Waterfront. There are also many outdoor recreation facilities, including the Christie Ball Diamond, Foley Matheson Park & Beach, Humphrey Nature Trails, Lake Joseph Centennial Beach, Park to Park Trail, and Seguin Trail. There are a few libraries in Seguin Township. The libraries offer a large collection of materials for all ages; large print books, talking books (on cassette and CD), magazines, DVDs, non-fiction CDs and an extensive fiction and non-fiction selection are available for loan. For more information, please visit: http://www.seguin.ca
Municipality of Whitestone: The Municipality of Whitestone is located approximately 30 km from the Town of Parry Sound. It has a population of approximately 920 permanent residents. This number increases significantly in the summer months. The township comprises the communities of Ardbeg, Boakview, Bolger, Burton, Dunchurch, Fairholme, Lorimer Lake, Maple Island, South Magnetawan, Sunny Slope, Wahwashkesh, and Whitestone. The municipality’s vegetation is dominated by white pine trees, and the area is dotted with many lakes, including Wahwashkesh Lake, Shawanaga Lake, Whitestone Lake, and Lorimer Lake. The three major rivers are Magnetawan River, Shawanaga River, and Naiscoot River, all flowing west into Georgian Bay. There are many resorts in the area that are extremely popular in the summer months, such as Whitestone Lake Resort. There are many activities that take place year round, very similar to the other municipalities in the area. Ice fishing, skating, hockey, and snowmobiling are popular in the winter months. In the summer months, activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking are popular. For more information, please visit: http://www.whitestone.ca/
Credit: Parry Sound Industrial Park