For the Haliburton Rotary Club, 2026 was Year 3 in a five year $200,000 makeover of Skyline Park, one of Haliburton’s most scenic locations.
A Busy Year
For the Haliburton Rotary Club, 2026 was Year 3 in a five year $200,000 makeover of Skyline Park, one of Haliburton’s most scenic locations. It was a very busy year for the Haliburton Rotary Club’s Skyline Park Project Committee led by Chuck Wheeler ; “ It was a total team effort to get us to this point and everyone on the Committee has pitched in over the past few years to help implement significant park improvements”.
2026 Park Improvements
In 2026, Rotary has led the implementation of the following park improvements to enhance the functionality and beauty of the park :
- The Ministry of Transportation (MTO), which owns and maintains the park as a rest stop on the Provincial Highway system, installed a fully accessible washroom building to replace the seasonal placement of Porta Potties. Rotary then installed change tables in both washrooms. MTO also completed the installation of improved park fencing to improve the security of the park. “We are very grateful to MPP Laurie Scott for her assistance in securing MTO’s park commitments” according to Ursula Devolin, a Rotary Skyline Park Committee member.
- A second timber frame picnic shelter on a concrete pad was installed so now there are two covered shelters with picnic tables for families to picnic and enjoy the view.
- A new Upper Viewing Platform was constructed directly off of the existing paved parking area of the park . This creates a fully accessible viewing area of the overlook complete with a stone base, historical display panels outlining the history of the village of Haliburton/Skyline Park and map of things to do and see in town. The new upper viewing platform is worth a visit if you have not been to the park in a while !
- New picnic tables were installed and landscaping around the new facilities were completed.
Widespread Community Support
We would not have been able to do all of the above without the support of Haliburton County, the Municipality of Dysart et al, the Haliburton County Development Corporation, Rotary District 7010, Haliburton Historical Society, Haliburton Highland Trekkers, anonymous project donations, and numerous local contractors and suppliers who have donated their time, expertise, and resources.
“Reach for the Sky” Fundraising Campaign
While the Haliburton Rotary Club has made a significant financial contribution to the project to date ( thank you to the community for buying a Rotary car draw ticket !), in order to complete the project, Rotary is launching its “Reach for the Sky” fundraising campaign. “Skyline Park belongs to the entire community,” says Ursula Devolin, the Co Chair of the Haliburton Rotary Club’s fundraising campaign. “We want to create a place that locals can enjoy and be proud of, while giving visitors another reason to stop, explore and experience the beauty of our village...This is an opportunity for our community to leave a lasting legacy,” says John Beachli, long-time Rotarian and co-chair of the fundraising campaign. “Together, we’re making Skyline Park something really special.”
Contact the Haliburton Rotary Club if you would personally like to contribute to the success of the project. E-transfers to haliburtonrotary@gmail.com would be gratefully accepted.
Planned 2027-28 Skyline Park Improvements
Improvements to complete the project include the following :
- A display panel about the history of Rotary in Haliburton since 1946
- An indigenous land acknowledgment, a Rotary Peace Pole and two indigenous sculptures donated by Rotarian John Beachli
- A “Welcome to Skyline Park” sign
- A donor sign displaying the names of contributors to the park project
- Two new wooden platform extensions to the left and right of the existing stone lower viewing platform. When completed, it will allow a large group of people to enjoy the view and pose for a group photo
- Final landscaping improvements
- Installation of recycled asphalt to improve the walkability of the pathways
- Pavement markings for handicapped parking spaces
We hope to see you at the new Skyline Park soon !
