Wolfe Island (Ontario)

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Wolfe Island

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.
Geography
Location	Lake Ontario
Coordinates	44°10′N 76°22′W / 44.167°N 76.367°W / 44.167; -76.367Coordinates: 44°10′N 76°22′W / 44.167°N 76.367°W / 44.167; -76.367
Area	124 sq. km (48 sq. mi)
Country
Canada
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 and Simcoe Island, it forms the township of Frontenac Islands. It is the largest of the Thousand Islands. The largest community on the island is Marysville. This island was named after British General James Wolfe.

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 square miles). 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), operated by the Government of Ontario, is free of charge. The seasonal (May to October) toll ferry to Cape Vincent, New York, first licenced in 1802, is operated by the descendants of the first licence-holder.

Contents 1 Flora and fauna 2 Recreation and other facilities 3 Development 4 Notable residents 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Flora and fauna

Snowy Owls are frequently seen on the island during winter. It is also an important stopover location for migrating waterfowl in spring. 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.^[1]

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^[2]. 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.

[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).

[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.

Perhaps the most striking feature of contemporary 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,^[3] which have been in commercial operation since June 26, 2009. ^[4] 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 ^[5]
• Ken Keyes

[edit] See also

• List of wind farms in Canada

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Wolfe Island
• Kingston to Marysville year-round ferry schedule
• Seasonal ferry to USA schedule

Coordinates: 44°10′N 76°22′W / 44.167°N 76.367°W / 44.167; -76.367

	Amherstview	Kingston, Ontario	Howe Island Gananoque
	Amherst Island		Carleton Island Clayton, NY
		Wolfe Island, Ontario
	Lake Ontario	Lake Ontario	Cape Vincent, NY Watertown, NY