Property Facts & Highlights
- Over 7,000 feet of lake frontage
- 363 acres of pristine waterfront land
- Located just 1.5 hours northeast of Toronto in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes region
- The original childhood homestead of Senator Patrick Burns
- Located directly on the Trent-Severn Waterway and only a few km from the Kirkfield lock
- Canal Lake is a captivating medium-sized lake with abundant wildlife, excellent fishing, and ecologically significant landscapes
- The lake offers superb swimming opportunities suitable for both children and adults in most of its areas
- On the Trent-Severn waterway, making it a boater’s paradise
Colliers is pleased to offer for sale an investment opportunity totalling 363 acres in the coveted region of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. This offering includes 4 legal titles and extensive frontage on the beautiful shores of Canal Lake. A short 1.5 hour drive from Toronto, this property offers significant potential for revenue growth through further development.
A Lakeside Investment Opportunity with Untapped Development Potential
Discover these magical 363 acres of land with over 7,000 ft of frontage on Canal Lake located just northwest of the Hamlet of Kirkland. Accessed via municipally maintained roads Lift Lock Road West and Deer Run Lane, the subject lands provide a tranquil retreat in a convenient location.
Canal Lake is the perfect destination for boating enthusiasts, offering access to the Kawartha Lakes section of the TrentSevern Waterway. Explore the area’s natural wonders, including Lake Simcoe, just 7 km west of the lake, and pass through the famous Kirkfield Lock, the second-highest hydraulic lift lock in the world. With a lift of 15 m (49 ft), the Kirkfield Lock is situated at the highest point along the Waterway, boasting breathtaking views at 840.5 ft above sea level.
Area Overview
Canal Lake is nestled in the heart of the Carden Alvar, a rare grassland habitat found in only a few places around the globe. This pristine lake is surrounded by thin soils and sparse vegetation on top of limestone bedrock, creating a unique ecosystem that supports an incredible array of flora and fauna. Over 230 bird species, 450 plants, and 140 butterfly and dragonfly species call this area home, making it a nature lover’s paradise.
Formed during the construction of the Trent-Severn Waterway in the late 1800s, Canal Lake has a maximum depth of about 15 ft, making it ideal for a wide range of water activities, including warm water swimming, boating and excellent fishing. The designated route for Waterway boat traffic is marked by buoys to navigate through the lake’s shallow waters, while the deeper section of the Waterway heading west from the outlet to the next lock offers maximum depths of up to 30 ft.
The natural limestone topography means that beautifully landscaped lots are level with lawns and gardens that gently slope down to the water’s edge.
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Property in detail
History
The O’Byrne Ranch was the childhood homestead of prominent Canadian businessman, Patrick Burns. Born in Oshawa, Ontario in 1856 as Patrick O’Byrne to Irish Immigrants, his family name was shortened to Burns as part of the naturalization process. The family moved to the small community of Kirkfield, where Burns spent a majority of his childhood.
In 1890, Burns moved to Calgary, Alberta, and established the P. Burns and Company, which later became one of the largest meatpacking and livestock companies in Canada. Burns established himself as one of the Big Four western cattle kings who started the Calgary Stampede in 1912. He was known for his entrepreneurial skills, astute business sense, and philanthropy and played a significant role in the development of the Canadian West as one of the most influential figures in the country’s history.
Appointed to the Canadian Senate in 1931 serving until his death in 1937, Burns was a respected public figure and contributed significantly to the growth and prosperity of Canada. He is remembered as a visionary entrepreneur and a generous humanitarian who left a lasting legacy in the country’s history.
To this day, the descendants of the O’Byrne family still own the original homestead. None of the original buildings remain and the land is primarily used to graze cattle and for light recreation.