‘Engage with nature’: New park with panoramic, trail network opens in Lake Country

‘Engage with nature’: New park with panoramic, trail network opens in Lake Country

Published 1:56 pm Saturday, September 26, 2026

Lake Country’s network of trails and outdoor amenities grew on Friday, Sept. 25.

Despite the rainy conditions, the ribbon was cut on a new trails in The Summit at Lakestone neighbourhood. The new trails include the
Beacon Hill Trail, Summit Trail, and Wetland Loop Trail Extension, along with Beacon Park, a new trailhead park and pavilion situated at the community’s highest elevation.

The newest trails extend the trail network in the Lakestone community, with a 300-metre elevation gain from Lakeshore to the summit while preserving 250 acres of natural space that will never be built on. From the top, at Beacon Park, residents can experience a full 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding area and lakes, even being able to see the William R. Bennett Bridge when looking south.

“It’s always an exciting time when something comes to our community, we bring amenities to the community,” said Lake Country Blair Ireland, who is seeking re-election in the upcoming municipal election, to a crowd of around 50 people ahead of a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new trails.

“Everybody does different things in our community, but having all of these different things to do is incredibly important for all of us,” added Ireland. “At the end of the day, our quality of life is enhanced by the things that we want to do. It’s not enhanced by… sewer and roads and those things. Those are important, but they don’t make your day better.”

Ireland explained that the plan for these trails was in place back in 2012, way before he was the district’s mayor, with the goal of 24 kilometres of trails. But over time, MacDonald Development Corporation (MDC) was able to expand the plan to nearly 29 kilometres.

“Projects like these are what remind us what thoughtful planning is all about, it took a long time to deliver,” said Ireland.

In total, 7.5 kilometres was new trails was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, bringing the current total in the area to just under 20 kilometres. By the end of the project, there will be 28.8 kilometres of trails for the public to enjoy, explained Johnathon Campbell, development manager of (MDC).

“It’s important that we put together these trails and all the kilometres, but it’s more important what these trails represent… what these trails represent is the ability for people to meet each other on a trail, it’s the ability for families to explore nature, engage with nature, without having to get in the car and go somewhere,” said Campbell.

Campbell added that throughout the project, MDC has taken the time to work with the Lake Country parks and environmental teams to not just build the pavilion and new trails, but to understand the stewardship to the land.

“Lake Country is growing, and it’s important that as we grow, we leave something behind that serves the fullness of time,” added Campbell. “It’s easy to come up and blow apart a mountain and put some things in, but if you’re not paying attention to what you’re doing and how you’re doing, it just won’t matter at the end of the day.”