It’s a tiny 32 acre park in a tiny town northwest of Toronto. Yet, Belfountain Conservation Area has an interesting past. Much of the man-made history has been retained, enhanced by a lot of work since by Mother Nature. Be sure to make it all the way to the end of this article to see what Belfountain looked like in the 1930’s when it was a single family’s summer retreat.
Belfountain Conservation Area
Charles Mack was the founder of the C.W. Mack Rubber Stamp Company and the inventor of the cushion-backed rubber stamp. Apparently, the company still exists today in some form and works out of Ajax, Ontario.
In 1908, Mack purchased the property that is now Belfountain Conservation Area in order to create a summer home from his family. Today, the park is a short drive from the Greater Toronto Area. In 1908, it would have been more like making an adventurous journey to the wildnerness.
Previously known as McCurdy’s Village, the village that is adjacent to the park became Belfountain in 1857. Once much larger, Belfountain has a rock quarrying history.
When Mack bought the property, he built a dam that was meant to replicate Niagara Falls. Beside that, he built a replica of Yellowstone Cave. The bell fountain was erected to honour the town – the town was not named after a bell fountain. Much of the stone work that Mack put in to line the river and lead to buildings on the property remain today. The buildings do not.
The fountain remains as is. There is a swing bridge located at the same spot as the original by it is a newer, safer version. Trails runs around the pond created by the dam and the park connects to the Bruce Trail via the Trimble Side Trail. Remnants of a grist mill remain near the entrance of the road and there is supposedly some trout to be caught in the river.
Charles Mack died in 1943. In 1959, Credit Valley Conservation purchased the land. Today, it is a day-use park with picnic grounds and a modern, functioning restroom. The park is open from 8am until 9pm during the summer months. Entry is $5 for each adult and $3 for kids 6-12 and seniors. Kids under 6 are free of charge. The park is closed in winter.
Worth the visit? I wouldn’t make this your lone destination for the day but included in a country tour of the area, yes – it’s worth a stop. Like many of the parks in the area (Rockwood Conservation Area, Limehouse Conservation Area and Hilton Falls Conservation Area for example), it can get quite crowded, especially on weekends, in the summer. It will not be for you the wilderness retreat away from humanity that it was for Charles Mack.
Shutterbugs will enjoy the grounds and the location is popular for wedding photography.
Compare the above postcard with the video below and you’ll see that quite a bit of Mack’s summer home has been preserved. The fountain shown in this circa 1930 view is not the one that stands today. The one today is just above and to the left. The cave entrance, steps and all the stonework along the river bank remain today. The bridge has obviously been replaced. The building to the left in the background is not there anymore. Neither is the building to the right but its foundation has been re-used as a lookout and terrace.
Belfountain Conservation Area Video
For more information about the park, its rules, rates and hours, visit their official website: Belfountain Conservation Area.
