by John Lindsay
Minnow Lake is the focal point for the neighborhood or community that extends from almost downtown Sudbury, along Howey Drive, Bellevue and Bancroft to Moonlight Avenue, and from the Kingsway south to Lake Ramsey.
Minnow Lake is located in almost the geographical centre of the City of Greater Sudbury with easy access to all other areas. One of the oldest neighborhoods in Sudbury, Minnow Lake has been described as a unique area and a model, which other communities might follow. The lake itself is small, and due to its urban location and past history of industrial abuse suffers water quality problems. The Minnow Lake Restoration Group has worked extensively over the past twenty five years to restore the lake and surrounding area.
Minnow Lake has the largest public shoreline (relative to size) of any lake in the area. The lake has four park areas on its shores and another adjacent to the lake. In addition there is an Arena, two ball fields and tennis courts. There are two community centers also located on the lake itself.
A sawmill on the shores of Minnow Lake (then known as Black Lake) was constructed as soon as the railway reached Sudbury in 1883. For over 30 years the mill processed lumber from the rich forest that covered the landscape, much of it sturdy white pine. A few stumps of these large trees can still be found in the area behind the Carmichael arena on the Blueberry Hill trial. The sawdust, slabs and other residue from formed a peninsula out into Minnow Lake from the site of the mill at the bottom of Downing Street that can still be plainly seen today. Later primitive ore smelting methods would destroy much of the remaining vegetation and deposit heavy minerals into the soil and water. The area was a pretty bleak place in the very early days.
Regardless of the environmental damage, there were those who held great faith in the future of the Sudbury area. One of these individuals was an actual member of the French nobility. His full name was Count Nicholas Julian Frederic du Caillaud. In the early part of the last century he owned virtually all of the land east of the train station and Tom Davies Square including the Flour Mill and Bell Park areas. His property extended along the entire length of the north shore of Lake Ramsey, including all of what is now considered the Minnow Lake area.
A world traveler and author of many books, the Count cut a dashing figure with his long beard, swallow tail coat studded with beads, tall hat and high boots. He always carried a cane or long stick. He made an annual trip across the Atlantic to visit Sudbury each summer, and was his intention to settle here in retirement. He said, “Sudbury is a small town with a great future”. Unfortunately, on his death in 1919 his family, back in France, let the property go, and the Barry Family became the second owners of much of the Count’s property in the Minnow Lake Area. The two islands in Minnow Lake are named after the Count, the larger island is Du Caillaud, and the smaller Romanet.
William and Maurerite Barry were the best know Minnow Lake residents for many years, and for good reason. William was an active politician serving as reeve of McKim township, and he also ran for Federal election. He subdivided much of the land in the area and also in what was to become New Sudbury. Mrs. Barry named virtually all of the streets, many after her children (7 of their own and over 30 foster kids).
Before she died Mrs. Barry was interviewed by the area councillor Ted Nicholson with John Lindsay and Ian MciIraith (summer student). The interviews can be accessed on You Tube in two 30 minutes in length sections.
The Barry’s donated land for church buildings of all faiths and for other public uses. They opened the first post office and operated the largest general store in the area, with their residence to the left of the store in the background. The building still stands today, however moved somewhat from its former location. The Barry residence, which became vacant when Mrs. Barry died at age 89 in 1999, has been preserved as an historical site, and is now occupied by offices, but is open for public viewing by appointment (call Financial Decisions Inc.). It is planned that a portion of the property will eventually become a park to add to the public space along the waterfront and to recognize the contribution of the Barry family to this area.
Minnow Lake has several commercial centers. The corner of Bancroft Drive and Bellevue avenue is actually the heart of what was originally known as the Minnow Lake Village. Vehicles approaching this intersection from the north (the right of the photo) traveling on Bancroft Drive can turn right onto Bellevue Avenue and continue through on Howey Drive to downtown Sudbury.
This intersection has a number of businesses, including a pharmacy. By turning left they will continue on Bancroft Drive through to Second Ave and another pharmacy and Credit Union. Along the Kingsway, the upper limits of the Minnow Lake area there are a number of car dealerships, restaurants etc. On the northernmost limits on Minnow Lake, on the south side of the Kingsway between Bancroft Drive and Second Ave. is the largest selection of “big box” stores in Northern Ontario including Costco, Home Depot, Chapters and Staples, Lowe’s etc.
Minnow Lake is also home of the Silver City Multiplex. There are a number of convenience stores throughout the Minnow Lake area to serve the approx. 20,000 people that make Minnow Lake their home.
Almost every type of commercial endeavor and business and personal service can be found in Minnow Lake.
With the assistance of all levels of government it has been possible to create a number of parks around Minnow Lake and a boardwalk along Bancroft Drive across from the Carmichael Arena and ball field property. This walkway served as a model for the now very popular walkway through Bell Park on Lake Ramsey. Another smaller lakefront park is located on Bellevue Avenue.
A large sign at the entrance to the Carmichael Arena property directs hikers to the two wilderness park areas – Blueberry Hill and the Oak Forest. The trails in both of these parks are marked and each takes about an hour to walk through.
Guided walks are conducted on Blueberry Hill during the Blueberry Festival each year and each Thanksgiving there are “all colours” walks into the Oak Forest. The restoration group worked closely with the CAN and the city to convert the former gravel playground at the rear of Minnow Lake Place to a grassed waterfront park.
Hikers up Blueberry Hill and the Oak Forest are encouraged to bring their cameras and binoculars. It is possible to see much of the area from the top of these two hills surrounding Minnow Lake. You can get an excellent view of Minnow Lake from both hilltops and also see a large portion of Ramsey Lake, which is reported to be the largest fresh water lake inside a city anywhere in the world.
There are lots of recreational possibilities in Minnow Lake. Two hilltop parks (Blueberry Hill and the Oak Forest Lookout) offer climbing and hiking opportunities. A large sign outlining the trials is located at the entrance to the Carmichael Arena on Bancroft Drive across from the lake. It is possible to walk around the lake in about a half-hour and to bike around the lake using area streets and paved paths in about the same length of time.
There is a boardwalk along the Bancroft Drive shoreline of the lake and at the Bellevue Avenue lakefront there is a dock for sitting and fishing. Access to the lake is also possible from the shores of the Oak Forest Lookout Park, the old and new community centre properties, (Carmichael Playground building and Minnow Lake Place, plus the small park area where the outlet to the lake flows to Ramsey Lake. Most residences of the area swim in Ramsey Lake, either at Portage or Moonlight Beach. Minnow Lake offers excellent fishing for Perch, Pike, Catfish and Sunfish. There are no power boats allowed on the lake, however canoes, paddle boats and kayaks are popular.
A skateboard park is located immediately in front of the Carmichael Arena and a beach volleyball court is located at Minnow Lake Place (former St. Jean School) along with basketball nets just behind the building on a paved area.
There are two full size illuminated baseball diamonds located next to the Carmichael Arena on Bancroft Drive across from Minnow Lake and also two tennis courts are on the same property. Blueberry Hill is located behind the Arena building. At the old community centre property (Carmichael Playground) on Bellevue Avenue there is another playground area and an outdoor rink. Elsewhere in the area there are baseball fields and outdoor rink facilities at the Morin Family “playground” on Second Avenue and a number of playground structures in the area.
source: minnowlake.ca