Hidden gem: New Lowell Campground, day use park
Nestled on Hogback Road just north of Sunnidale Concession 3 is one of the best kept secrets in the Southern Georgian Bay area. In fact, according to host Jane Kidd, there are people in nearby New Lowell who are unaware of their existence.
Kidd believes the New Lowell Campground and Conservation Park has probably existed since Canada’s Centennial in 1967. At that time, the government invested in the creation of Conservation Authorities, including the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA). Kidd and her late husband Willy Ivits were hired to manage the campground 27 years ago.
“Then Walkerton happened and everyone got very concerned about the safety of small water systems,” she said. “The NVCA decided to abandon the campground and let it go back to nature. We entered a bid to run the campground as our own business. As part of that, we committed to a major upgrade of the water system including filtration, chlorination and UV filtering, and we had to become licensed to operate a small water system.”
The original campground consisted of 23 sites. Today, there are 117 sites all with water and hydro. Rental for the full season from May 1 to Oct. 15 is $3,000 for most lots, plus an additional $150 for waterfront sites.
Kidd said it’s a reasonably affordable alternative to cottage ownership.
“People own their trailers and rent the site on a seasonal basis,” she said. “This is a real community. People look out for each other. We have five families who have been here for 30 years and a list of 53 people waiting to move in when something becomes available.”
The campground is comprised of 147 acres including a 46-acre body of water which they have named Silver Birch Lake. There are two swimming areas, one at the campsite and another on the opposite shore on the day-use side. There are badminton courts, a Club House plus separate facilities for teens and younger children, a library, a games area with pool table, air hockey, and Foosball, three outdoor playground areas, a baseball diamond and soccer pitch, an off leash dog park and a community garden.
The campground offers canoe, paddleboard and bicycle rentals and an impressive line-up of activities from dances, potlucks and karaoke in the club house to Canada Day fireworks, a Christmas in July celebration for the children, and a New Year’s party for adults the following week.
Improvements are constantly being made. The library was one of this year’s projects. Next year they are planning improvements to the beach area to enhance the resort feel. For those who wish to enjoy the beach, day and seasonal passes are available.
A limited number of short-term rentals are available for people who wish to try out the New Lowell Campground and Conservation Park lifestyle. The park is open to visitors from the community for the annual Family Fun Day and Yard Sale, this year on the August long weekend.
“When people start rolling in on a Thursday, everyone has a big wave.” said Kidd. “It really does feel like a family.”
Bonnie MacPherson photo: New Lowell Campground host Jane Kidd, who lives on site through the season, says improvements are constantly being made to the facility, like the new library (above).
