The way it was supposed to be

photo submitted.

Otter Lake Friends
News Release

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On Sunday August 5th and Monday August 6th, over 100 people frolicked in the Otter Lake recreational lands. While a number of groups of 30 to 40 people participated in guided, interpretive walks along the forest trails and access roads over the two days, children were busy building sandcastles at the Otter Lake beach. Other nature enthusiasts swam in the clean inviting waters off the southern beach while still others navigated the Nekik waterway to Otter Lake, on their way to beach activities at the former Norhaven nudist colony beach.

On Saturday, August 4th the Otter Lake Friends manned a kiosk as part of the Downtown DIA activities. 'Several hundred people signed the Otter Lake petition this weekend. Councillors that assembled the Otter Lake lands (back in 1970) for the future recreational needs of the people would have been proud to see the area alive with activity generated from the very young, to the not so young ', said Jean-Marc Filion, spokesperson for the Otter Lake Friends.

Weekend activities at Otter Lake were organized by the Widdifield Ratepayers Association with volunteer support from the Trout Lake Conservation Association, Nipissing Naturalists Conservation Committee and the North Bay Hunters and Anglers.

The City is contemplating selling the Otter Lake recreational lands and the lands are presently out on tender. Minimum bid is one million dollars. Tenders close August 22nd. Otter Lake Friends are circulating a petition attempting to convince Mayor and Council to reconsider, and keep the Otter Lake Lands for the present and future recreational needs of the people - the reason they were acquired in the first place back in 1969 to 1972. Otter Lake is the third largest lake in the Municipality of North Bay. More information on the petition and Otter Lake in general: www.venturenorth.com/otterlake.

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