Tucked away in a corner of Killbear Provincial Park is a special spot: the Twin Points Trail.
With windswept pines, rugged rocks, and a plethora of wildlife, this is the perfect place to fully absorb the beauty of Georgian Bay.
This natural gem has captured the hearts of many, including one special nature-lover: Teresa Daw.
She made a lasting contribution to help more people access the trail than ever before.
Why Twin Points Trail is special
Twin Points Trail showcases the majesty of Georgian Bay.
That’s why it was identified as one of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Mnidoo Gamii’s Amazing Places.
From the parking lot, the trail leads through a forest of Red Maple, White Pine, Red Oak, and Yellow and White birch.
You may spot warblers, vireos, or flycatchers flitting around you.
Leaving the forest, the trail opens onto rock barrens favoured by the Brown Thrasher and Eastern Towhee.
The trail proceeds to a hidden beach between rocky points overlooking Killbear Peninsula.
As you approach Georgian Bay you feel the wind and hear the waves. Waterbirds like gulls, terns, and sandpipers can be spotted along the shoreline.
This magical spot has captivated many visitors over the years, and brought them back over and over.
And Teresa’s dream was to share this special place with everyone
For more than 30 years, Teresa Daw worked to advance the rights of people with disabilities, improve their quality of life, and help them out of poverty.
Teresa loved nature, particularly the Canadian Shield.
When she prepared her Will, she included a gift to Ontario Parks with a wish that it be used to reduce barriers so that more people could experience nature.
Teresa’s donation is helping Ontario Parks and the Friends of Killbear build a barrier-free viewing platform and make other accessibility upgrades to Twin Points Trail in Killbear Provincial Park.
A team effort in the community
Community Living Parry Sound assisted with the design process.
Accessibility Consultant Rebecca Jones, a frequent park visitor and member of Parry Sound’s Accessibility Committee says, “Inclusion is important in every community. Without accessibility people don’t feel like they belong.”
Rebecca reviewed the plans for the trail and viewing platform. Her recommendations to improve access to the platform and enhance viewing opportunities have been incorporated in the final design.
In speaking about her passion for helping, Rebecca said, “Being out in Killbear enables me to meet more people and gives me a chance to do more work to include everyone. Accessible design is important for everyone. It’s not just people in wheelchairs that benefit.”
The Friends of Killbear share Teresa’s love of nature and, as an organization, are dedicated to enriching the outdoor experiences of campers and visitors to the park.
Kevin Barks, President of The Friends of Killbear states, “By providing all visitors with equal access to this unique part of Georgian Bay, we are enriching their memories for generations to come….. What a beautiful gift.”
“The wider boardwalk and ramp to the viewing platform will make the trail accessible to everyone and, in providing a safe environment for visitors, will also help preserve the fragile ecosystem that supports a number of species at risk.”
In addition to raising funds to make the Twin Points Trail more accessible, the Friends have purchased an all-terrain wheelchair and a new Beach Mobi-Chair that park visitors can use in the water.
Additionally, three access mats have been purchased for different locations along the beaches at Killbear.
Ontario Parks staff and Friends of Killbear recently held two days of site meetings with contractors to discuss construction costs and moving forward with this project in the near future.
We need your help
More than $80,000 has been raised for the Twin Points barrier-free trail and viewing platform — but more is needed.
With your help, we can create a safe environment for people of all abilities to access the beauty of Killbear. Online donations can be made here.
Teresa Daw believed everyone belongs outside and, with the power of her Will, she chose to help people with disabilities connect with the revitalizing benefits of nature.
What will you do through the power in your Will?
To speak to someone about including a gift to Ontario’s provincial parks in your Will please call (705) 313-2462, email opdonations@ontario.ca or visit our website.