Wolfe Island (Ontario)
 NASA image of Wolfe Island. Kingston, Ontario is in the upper left of the image and upstate New York is the landmass in the right corner. |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44°10′N 76°22′W / 44.167°N 76.367°WCoordinates: 44°10′N 76°22′W / 44.167°N 76.367°W |
| Area | 124 km2 (47.9 sq mi) |
| Country | |
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Canada
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| Province |  Ontario |
| County | Frontenac County |
| Township | Frontenac Islands |
| Largest city | Marysville |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,400 |
Wolfe Island is an island located at the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River in Lake Ontario near Kingston, Ontario. Wolfe Island is part of Frontenac County, Ontario. Together with Howe Island, Simcoe Island, and Hickory Island forms the Township of Frontenac Islands. It is the largest of the Thousand Islands. The largest community on the island is Marysville. The island was called Grand Ile by the French, but was ultimately named after British General James Wolfe.[1]
The island is about 29 km long, with its width varying from around 9 km to a few hundred metres at some points; it has an area of approximately 124 km2 (48 sq mi). The resident population is approximately 1400 people, but this number can double or triple during the summer months.
Wolfe Island can be reached by ferry from both Canada and the United States. The ferry from Kingston (Wolfe Islander III) is operated by the Ministry of Transportation and is free of charge. This ferry operates from two locations: the Summer Dock located in Marysville and the Winter Dock located at Dawson Point. This route includes a bubbler system that stretches to the Barrak Street Dock in Kingston, Ontario.[2] This ferry service is currently being examined in an ongoing transportation study [3]. The seasonal Horne's ferry (May to October) toll ferry to Cape Vincent, New York, first licenced in 1802, is still operated by the descendants of the first licence-holder.
Contents |
[edit] Flora and fauna
Snowy owls are frequently seen on the island during winter. It is also an important stopover location for migrating waterfowl including swans in spring and fall. Wolfe Island is also home to a growing population of wild turkeys, and well as deer and other fauna. It is designated an Important Bird Area.[4]
The Big Sandy Bay Management Area on Wolfe Island is a 404-hectare property, classified as a provincially significant life sciences Area of Natural and Scientific Interest[5]. Sand dunes and wetlands allow rare plant species to flourish here. Rare trees and birds deemed to be significant either regionally or provincially are also found here. The environmental area is protected and no motorized vehicles are allowed, though there is ample free parking provided at the entrance. A well-marked and level walking trail leads to a large, secluded sand beach with shallows reaching out well into Lake Ontario. The beach is safe and family-friendly, but there are no services, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own refreshments and must carry out all garbage and recyclables to dispose of at home.
[edit] Recreation and other facilities
There are two golf courses on Wolfe Island, a corn maze and three marked bicycle routes and country roads. The town of Marysville includes a bakery, restaurants and various other shops and services, as well as the largest church in the Thousand Islands (Sacred Heart of Mary Church). A new medical clinic opened in the spring of 2010. There is a volunteer fire and ambulance service on the island.[6] Additionally, Wolfe Island has Big Sandy Bay Management Area.[7] During the summer months in Marysville the Old House Museum is in operation. There are two elementary schools on the island: Marysville Public School that is part of the Limestone District School Board [8] and Sacred Heart Catholic School that is part of the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board. [9]
In Marysville, the Wolfe Island Business and Tourism Association (WIBTA) operates a tourist information centre seasonally.
The limestone Wolfe Island Town Hall is a National Historic Site of Canada.[10]
[edit] Development
Wolfe Island is the site of most Kingston radio and television transmitters; CKWS, CKLC and CFRC transmit from the island. It also had historically been the site of various cheese factories, including one once operated by Kraft Foods.
A feature of Wolfe Island is the Wolfe Island Wind Project, a wind farm developed by Canadian Hydro Developers. The 197.8 MW wind plant consists of 86 wind turbines,[11] which have been in commercial operation since June 26, 2009.[12] This is currently the second largest turbine project in Canada (the first being the Melancthon EcoPower Centre, located at Shelburne, Ontario).
[edit] Notable residents
- Don Cherry [13]
- Ken Keyes
- Grant Allen (February 24, 1848 – October 25, 1899)
- Fr. Raymond J. de Souza (columnist)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Wolfe Island: Frontenac County". http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~theislands/wolfeisland.html. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
- ^ http://wolfeislandtransportationstudy.ca/pdf/Marine%20Structures%20Planning%20Report_June%202011.pdf
- ^ http://wolfeislandtransportationstudy.ca/pdf/Marine%20Structures%20Planning%20Report_June%202011.pdf
- ^ "Wolfe Island". IBA Canada. http://www.bsc-eoc.org/iba/site.jsp?siteID=ON037. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
- ^ "Natural Areas Report: WOLFE ISLAND BIG SANDY BAY". Government of Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/areas/areas_report.cfm?areaid=1061. Retrieved 2007-07-26.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.wolfeisland.com/mtcommunity_services/archives/cat_emergencymedical.php Wolfe Island Business and Tourism Association.
- ^ http://municipality.frontenacislands.on.ca/?q=big_sandy_bay
- ^ http://www.limestone.on.ca/schools/elementary/marys_profile
- ^ http://www.alcdsb.on.ca/ourschools/schools/shrt.aspx?master=/ourschools/ourschools.master
- ^ Wolfe Island Township Hall. Canadian Register of Historic Places. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
- ^ Wolfe Island Wind Project (197.8 MW) - Wolfe Island
- ^ http://www.canhydro.com/projects/wolfeislandwind/[dead link]
- ^ Wolfe Island News, August 2006
[edit] External links
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Amherstview | Kingston, Ontario | Howe Island Gananoque |
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| Amherst Island |  |
Carleton Island Clayton, NY |
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 Wolfe Island, Ontario  |
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| Lake Ontario | Lake Ontario | Cape Vincent, NY Watertown, NY |
