The Ottawa River surged over its banks in 2018 leaving immeasurable damage in its wake. In Portage du Fort, it left an outcrop of sand, a beach of sorts, and it sparked an idea among residents that would bring the small community together to build something wonderful. The talk started soon after the water receded, and the 200 foot sandbar revealed itself. Some thought it would be a great fishing spot, others saw a playground or picnic area. Everyone had an idea, so they decided to organize and called a meeting. Anyone in town who had a passion for the community and was willing to put in a little work was invited to join. Thoughts of sunny summer days on the beach were the furthest thing from anyone’s mind that winter night, nonetheless 20 people quickly got involved.
They came together with a shared vision and when someone pulled out an 1877 hand-drawn map of the area for reference, they knew they had their work cut out for them. At the bottom of the old map, there was a square drawn around the area at the river’s edge. It was labeled Harbour Square. In that moment, the Harbour Square Rejuvenation Project was born with the goal of beautifying, upgrading, and restoring the area to its former glory.
Planning continued throughout the winter and when the ice broke away from the shore the volunteers started to work. The beach was cleared of debris, dead trees and old brush leaving it safe for the kids to play and families to gather. Volunteers built six picnic tables. They repaired the flagpole. Up went bright new flags to welcome visitors. The docks at the boat launch were repaired and a beautiful wooden bench was donated, “Habour Square” etched across the back of the seat.
Their work paid off. This summer the area is buzzing with activity. Since June, locals have been meeting weekly to play games in the grassy area above the boat launch The beach is studded with groups relaxing and playing in the sand. People often head down to the area to take a break to sit at the picnic tables and catch up on the town news. There were fireworks on July 1 and a family fun day and BBQ on July 24.
Boaters on the river dock at the Square and head up to Thompson’s for supplies or to grab a snack at Murf’s chip stand. They walk the same path that the loggers and lumber men walked over 100 years ago, looking for a good meal and some friendly company. It has been over a century and Habour Square has come back to life in the same spirit of good times, friendship and community.
Follow the Parc de la place du port- Harbour Square group on Facebook for more information and updates
Once the group assembled on November 12,. 2021, they wasted no time in working for the community. A week later, project volunteers brought some light to an otherwise bleak winter in lockdown by creating a series of holiday cutouts featuring Christmas characters and scenes. They cleared a skating rink, brought a 35 foot tree down to the square and lit it up for all to enjoy. On Christmas Day, the committee prepared 49 free Christmas dinners and delivered them to friends and neighbours isolated by Covid, alone, or wanting a Christmas dinner for the holidays. Amazingly the townspeople joined in and donated money for dinners for others. When all the meals were delivered, they were able to donate $300 and the extra food to Bouffe Pontiac
They gathered in the Square on New Year’s Eve where they rang in 2021 with a dazzling display of fireworks and high hopes for 2021.
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