John Earle Chase Memorial Park is a 400-acre site that was farmed by successive members of the Chase family. Ralph and Evelyn Chase were the last two family members who lived on the property. In 1995, they donated the land to Trent Severn Waterway (TSW) in honour of their brother John Earle Chase.

In 2018, TSW, the Municipality of Trent Lakes, Buckhorn Trails Association, and KLT met to discuss which management structure would be most effective for the improvement and protection of this donated land. Eventually, it was agreed that using a donation-supported stewardship fund would be the best option.

Since the initiation of the stewardship fund, staff and volunteers have been working hard to improve conservation at John Earle Chase Memorial Park by improving the condition of the trails, mounting trail markers and signage, planting trees, removing garbage and debris, controlling invasive species, and mending fences.

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. 

With beautiful views overlooking Pigeon Lake, mature maple forests, and wetlands bursting with life, this property is too beautiful not to share — it is open to the public to enjoy!