Algonquin Provincial Park
Ontario
Public Space
The most scenic trajectory through the park is on Highway 60 between Barry's Bay and Huntsville. The park is readily accessible from major urban centres such as Ottawa and Toronto. You can see the boreal forest and its inhabitants, including many Canadian animal icons like the beaver, spotted loon, moose, timber wolf, and the black bear without much exploratory effort.
Opeongo Lake is one of the deepest in Ontario and is dissected by many bays, rock outcrops, and rivers that make it a fascinating geological watch. This pristine vast wilderness is unparalled in Ontario; the fall colours are more dynamic than most other areas, as well as sunsets mirroring their luminescence from myriad linked lakes. This 60-minute driving route offers some of the most scenic panoramas and biodiversity in Ontario with few commercial distractions, but most modern amenities and infrastructure being available in the adjacent towns of Huntsville (West) and Barry's Bay (East).
The Canadian Shield manifests itself best in this unique geography and depicted in most Canadian art museums by renowned artists. The park is accessible by automobile without fees for entry. Ministry of Natural Resources, AFA and several protect-the-park groups are champions of this space.
Algonquin Park was created in the early 20th century by the foresight of the provincial government and its planners for its legacy potential, and is monitored by the Ministry of Natural Resources in Ontario. The vastness of the Park makes it unique, and its proximity to major urban centres in Ontario makes it readily accessible to Canadians and international visitors. This public space must be maintained in its natural format to preserve its integrity in an era of declining largely-untouched public spaces.
