John Earle Chase Memorial Park was generously donated to Parks Canada by Ralph and Evelyn Chase in memory of their brother John Earle Chase.

This 400-acre site on the shores of Pigeon Lake was previously farmed by successive members of the Chase family until its donation.

Since 2018, through a limited-time agreement with Parks Canada that was initiated by the Municipality of Trent Lakes and Buckhorn Trails Association, Kawartha Land Trust has maintained the community trails and conducted stewardship projects to support the ecosystems present on the property.

This Parks Canada property overlooks Gannon’s Narrows, a meeting point for Buckhorn Lake and Pigeon Lake. Over 200 acres of deciduous forest are present that support an abundance of wildlife including Wood Frog, White-tailed Deer, Ring-necked Snake, Eastern Phoebe, and Eastern Wild Turkey. The 53 acres of swamp contribute to the health of local waters and the almost 100 acres of meadows provide excellent views of the surrounding area and habitat for at-risk species like Eastern Meadowlark and Monarch Butterfly.

In the spring of 2023, Citizens for Alternative Transportation in Trent Lakes (CATTL) and the Buckhorn District Tourist Association worked with Parks Canada and Kawartha Land Trust to install bicycle parking racks at the trailhead. Now, you can ride your bike to the park and secure it before walking the trails.

Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig and Williams Treaties First Nations continue to have a relationship with this land. The natural features of this place made it a valuable location as a historic gathering place and as a contemporary resource.