Silver Lake Park

Silver Lake has served the community for over 150 years in different ways. Initially, knitting mills were powered by the water from Silver Lake and blocks of ice were collected to keep things cool in the summer. The public enjoyed swimming, fishing, sailing, and canoeing as well as skating and playing hockey on the lake which is sheltered and part of the downtown area of Port Dover

For many years, Thomas A. Ivey & Sons operated greenhouses and warehouses in Port Dover on the western shore of Silver Lake drawing water from the lake for heating and irrigation. When the business closed in 1992, the Port Dover Lions Club purchased the property. It included 25 acres of land located on approximately 800 meters of Silver Lake’s shoreline. Since then, the Lions Club has developed and maintained Silver Lake Park – one of Norfolk County’s largest urban parks.

Silver Lake Park became a reality through the vision and efforts of Lions Club members, community volunteers and generous financial contributions from individuals and local businesses. The community’s commitment was demonstrated during the clean up of the property when approximately 150 volunteers pulled out tens of thousands of roses by the roots. Greenhouses were torn down. The soil was turned and covered with a three-foot layer of clean fill.

The Lions Club hired a consultant to prepare a Master Plan for the development of the park and worked with a student from the University of Guelph’s Architectural program as well as regulatory agencies. It was decided that restoration would focus on Carolinian trees and native plant species. Approximately 2,000 Carolinian trees (Ash, Honeysuckle, Kentucky Coffee, Dogwood, Maple, Cedar and Oak trees) were planted by volunteer groups that included the Lynn Valley District Scouts, Cubs and Beavers. Additional restoration efforts included the planting of native grasses and plants in strategic areas in consultation with local native plant species experts. A soccer field was built, and a pavilion constructed to provide a stage for concerts and other outdoor events.

One of the warehouses was repurposed and currently houses the weekly Silver Lake Farmers’ Market. Space is also available to community groups for a variety of purposes. For over 10 years, the Silver Lake Rowing Club used part of the building as a boathouse. Rowing regattas and Dragon Boat Festivals were held on Silver Lake along with youth and adult recreational rowing programs until the water was lowered in 2009 to permit the inspection of Misner Dam.

It is estimated that Silver Lake Park hosts more than 65,000 visitors annually. People enjoy cycling and walking along the Lynn Valley Trail and Silver Lake side trails. Many dogs have their daily walks along these trails. Groups exercise either in grassy areas of the park, in the pavilion or sometimes even in the parking lot. Soccer is played on the pitch. Silver Lake attracts many bird watchers. It also is a haven for those who seek peace and tranquility while sitting on a bench overlooking the lake and wetland. Recently, the Silver Lake Rowing Club Legacy Fund gifted a floating dock to the Lions Club. Its members have installed the dock for the public to launch small non-motorized boats.

The Port Dover Lions Club fundraised hundreds of thousands of dollars, solicited donation of services “in kind” from local businesses and coordinated the “sweat equity” of many volunteers to develop Silver Lake Park. The development and operation of Silver Lake Park continues under the management of the Port Dover Lions Club for the enjoyment of the community.