Local horticulturalist Paul Christie said a soon-to-be completed memorial garden in Norland will shed light on the early settling of the Highlands area and include important information about ‘The Land Between’ bioregion.
It’s been six years since Christie conceptualized plans for the garden, which will be installed at Ward Memorial Park in October. With a 40-foot diameter, the space will feature eight walkways and gardens blossoming with native perennials.
The idea, Christie said, is to educate people about the rare natural phenomenon he learned about from a neighbour shortly after moving to the Highlands more than decade ago.
“The Land Between remains a true natural wonder of the world, one that I feel is totally unpromoted and underappreciated,” Christie told The Highlander.
Measuring more than 240-kilometres, the name refers to the granite barrens that separate the Canadian Shield and limestone reserves that skirt large swathes of southern Ontario. It spans from Parry Sound in the west to the Ottawa Valley in the east, with Haliburton County nestled within.
Initially, Christie and his co-lead on the project, Miriam Newton, wanted to incorporate a water fixture into the design – a fountain fitted between large granite and limestone rocks – but that has been scrapped due to high costs. Originally, Christie anticipated the entire project could be done for $180,000, but learned this year the underground work for the fountain would cost $120,000 – around double what was first projected.
“So, we pivoted pretty quickly and worked hard to change everything around. We liked the idea of a fountain, but we also knew we had to get moving with this,” Christie said.
Big granite and limestone blocks, donated by Wessell Ingram & Sons Gravel Pit and the Coboconk quarry, will be fitted in the middle of the garden. Also included are five storyboards, each with a different tale to tell.
The first one will recount the history of the Indigenous people in the area, dating back 13,000 years. Christie said the Curve Lake Cultural Centre is partnering with the group, helping to verify information for the boards.
Other content will focus on the flora, fauna and wildlife that calls the area home; how the first settlers arrived in the 1800s and developed Norland as we know it today; exploring places of interest key to The Land Between’s make up; and a commemoration for those who have contributed to and supported the project.
Ross Fogwell, a retired church pastor, will head up writing and researching for the storyboards, Christie said.
The group has raised $27,688, requiring another $8,000 before the garden is fully funded. Christie said he expects to collect that at a fourth-annual golf fundraiser at The Links of Monck’s Landing in Norland Sept. 19. There are still spots available – anyone interested in playing ($65 per person or $260 for a team of four) can contact Christie at tlbgarden@gmail.com or 905-391-5803.
A grand opening will be held next year, while a second phase of the project is also in the pipeline.
“We want to have memorial benches, eight of them. This will give people the chance to sit down, meditate and really appreciate the space,” Christie said, noting the benches are $2,000 each. “We’re looking for contributions to help pay for those. We’ll then put plaques on honouring whoever the donor wants to honour.”
