1909 DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, FORESTS AND MINES. 85 



Rondeau Park. 



Appendix No. 27. 



Morpeth P.O., January 6th, 1910. 



To the Honourable, the Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines. 



Sir, — I have the honour to submit this my report for the year 1909. Con- 

 • siderable work has been done towards improvin(j the appearance of the Park this 

 season; cutting the lower and dead limbs off the trees along both sides* of the 

 driveway leading intothe Park, and in numerous places on the picnic ground; also 

 cutting and pulling down the entangled masses of wild grape and other climbing 

 vines, that have in the past covered over a good many trees with foliage so dense 

 that they could not live. Although some of these clusters of vines were beautiful 

 to look at, it was considered advisable to remove them and save the trees. Also 

 grubbing and cutting out the hazel and other bushes that were growing over por- 

 tions of the picnic grounds and along the driveways, and the willow bushes along 

 the shore of the Eau Front. This work was done at a co?t of $351.78. 



The next work of importance was gravelling the Park Road in October from the 

 town-line to the pavilion, a distance of about 1 3-8 miles, at a cost of about $318.43. 

 The road is now in better shape for winter and the coming season than it has ever 

 been since it was built. It is becoming a favourite run for automobiles. Most 

 people visiting the Park in their autos take a trip up the south road along the 

 shore of Lake Erie to the second fishery, a distance of about six miles, and are 

 usually delighted with the scenery in the forest; the deer and black squirrels, etc., 

 along with the variety of timber and shrubbery make the trip most attractive. .We 

 are quite safe in saying that there are 150 deer running at large in the' Park 

 forest. In the enclosure at the picnic grounds, where the public can view them at 

 any time, are some deer, black squirrels, wild geese and six different kinds of 

 pheasants all in good condition. 



There are about 30 summer cottages at the Park, and more campers than 

 usual came to occupy them when the season opened (which was later than usual), 

 and they continued to come, thus keeping the cottages full throughout the season. 

 Mr. Arthur Orendorf deserves credit for the manner in which he conducted the 

 refectory. Besides keeping a good stock of refreshments on hand at all times, he 

 kept a fair stock of groceries, stationery and other useful articles. There were no 

 complaints from the people. 



The boat livery business is enlarging each year, chiefly on account of there 

 being a good class of boats of various sizes and kinds kept in readiness and in good 

 condition. Mr. Fred. Weir, who has this privilege leased from the Department 

 from year to year, builds all his own boat's — rowboats, sailboats, launches, etc. — 

 and he intends to build a large launch that will safely carry from 75 to 80 pas- 

 sengers for this coming season. 



With a little extra help we repaired the washout at the end of the high dock, 

 also along the low part, so that it will wear for some time, but it is difficult to 

 say how long, on account of there being so much fine washed sand around it. The 

 square timber, lumber, hardware, extra help for grading, etc., amounted to about 

 $53.00. To make this dock fit for teaming loads over, it will be necessary to either 

 lay plank on the sand approach, or cover it with clay and gravel. 



