The Koral Adventure Series: Paddling Crowley with extraordinary women

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While kayaking out at Lake Panache in July a plan was hatched.

I had my eyes set on Lake La Vase and from the marina, it would have been a 27-km journey, so my mother’s friend, Maureen Moustgaard, offered her dock, which shaved off about seven km from the trek.

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The Koral Adventure Series: Paddling Crowley with extraordinary women Back to video

Moustgaard and my mother go way back. They went to nursing school together and then lived together in Toronto, before returning to Sudbury to begin their careers in health care. They have remained tight and I grew up hearing stories about Moustgaard’s athletic pursuits, which have included long-distance cycling, running and swimming.

The day I paddled Panache, I returned to Moustgaard’s dock after dark. She was fretting a little, but had a plate of hummus and veggies waiting for me. As mothers often do, she also offered me a meal (and a beer). I eagerly accepted, since it was getting late. While I sat on the dock with her husband, asking a billion questions about Lake La Vase and the beautiful creek beyond it, I could hear Moustgaard in the camp – cupboards opening and closing, silverware clinking in the sink, something being mixed in a bowl. She emerged after 15 minutes with a robust egg salad sandwich and a beautiful edamame salad.

And then we began discussing her paddling group. Moustgaard told me she paddles regularly with a group of women, often out at Crowley Lake near McFarlane Lake. They range in age from twentysomething to 72, and they all enjoy the camaraderie, as well as the exercise. I thought it would make a great story and since the lake is in Ward 9 – Crowley Lake is part of Kivi Park, which is located along Long Lake Road – I asked Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh to join us.

McIntosh has championed Kivi Park since its inception and has acted as a liaison between the Fielding family, who donated the land, and city hall.

“Kivi Park, and by extension Crowley Lake, is important to many people in our community. They are assets that provide opportunities for year-round outdoor physical activity at a fraction of the cost of an indoor facility,” she notes. “This has been particularly important during the last five months of COVID-19, with all of our indoor recreational facilities being closed.”

Kivi Park was born on the site of the former Long Lake Public School, which was torn down in late 2015.

Originally, Lily Fielding donated $245,000 to allow the city to purchase the 12-acre property on which the school once sat. She also agreed to foot much of the $150,000 bill for the school’s demolition.

In August 2016, Fielding celebrated her 100th birthday by donating $1 million for the purchase of an additional 300 acres of land. She made that donation in memory of her parents, Susanna and John Kivi, as well as the Finnish immigrants who settled in the neighbourhood and helped shape the city. McIntosh says Fielding eventually donated close to $2 million to get the park ready for visitors. It was her way of giving back to the community in which she grew up — Fielding was raised on a farm in the Long Lake area of the city.

Fielding died in September 2019 at the age of 103, but her legacy lives on. Kivi Park has become a favourite outdoor spot. It has become so popular, in fact, it can be difficult to find parking on the weekend, no matter the season.

I first hiked Kivi Park during February 2017, for a story. I had taken my snowshoes, but they were unnecessary, the trails were so well trodden.

During my hike, I passed through some dense forest, the wind rustling the dead oak leaves and branches of the tallest trees. That was about all I could hear, besides my own breath. I could hear traffic in the distance, but it was nothing more than a steady, background hum. I also passed by the wishing tree and left a little wish for the forest fairies.

Kivi Park is a hot spot for dogs and while traipsing through the forest, I encountered several out for a walk with their owners. I pet and played with all of them.

“Greater Sudbury has a huge geographic footprint — 3,200 square km — and thus it is important to provide spaces for outdoor physical activity throughout different parts of the city so that our residents don’t have to drive long distances to access the outdoors,” McIntosh notes. “Kivi is more than 450 acres in size, with a number of amenities such as walking/hiking, biking and ski trails; a winter skate path; soccer field; and children’s playgrounds. Tourism provides jobs for many residents of Greater Sudbury. Kivi is not only an outdoor multi-use recreation centre that can and does host numerous provincial and national competitions (running, swimming, biking, skiing); it is also a tourist attraction/additional activity for those visiting our community. The park is also accessible via GOVA transit.”

It was a brisk day in 2017 and I enjoyed the walk, but I always looked forward to returning during warmer months. I jumped at the chance to join Moustgaard and her pals for an afternoon paddle. I extended the invitation to McIntosh and, to my surprise, she actually accepted. I had originally asked every councillor to join me for a paddle in their respective wards (I said I would supply the kayak), but only McIntosh accepted the invitation.

McIntosh says Crowley Lake is a special place. She says it is “how clear the water is, the lack of development around the lake and the quiet” that really strike her about the lake.

There are also opportunities for wildlife viewing.

“My husband and I were canoeing with two other couples on a Sunday afternoon this summer,” McIntosh recalls. “We were at the far end of one of the bays and we were able to sit in our canoes and watch a large black bear go about his business without fear of disturbing him. It was a Sudbury moment for us all.”

While Crowley Lake is part of Kivi Park, it is accessed down Raft Lake Road and Brodill Lake Road. You really do need a vehicle – GOVA does not go to Crowley Lake – but it is an easy drive through some pretty forested areas.

The lake itself is quite small. As we set out, Moustgaard tells me it can be crossed in an hour. I quickly learn that 60 minutes can be extended indefinitely when the conversation flows easily. The women so enjoy each other’s company — they float in and out of bays, exploring the shoreline slowly while sharing their news and asking after one another. Sometimes they do not even paddle; they simply drift with the breeze.

Moustgaard tells me they met during an exercise class for which they had all registered. Once the class ended, the group continued to meet and to move together. Cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, paddling, swimming – they do it all. Moustgaard, a septuagenarian, even competes in some events and one of the women, Sheila Marshall, is a champ at headstands on a stand-up paddleboard.

This year when it was announced the Beaton Classic would be cancelled due to COVID-19, the women decided to host their own informal gathering – friendly, of course, and devoid of the competitive edge that plagues some adult relationships.

They call themselves a circle of “physical feminine fierceness” and support for one another is embedded in their unwritten code. Donna Smrek, a member of the group, wrote a short essay on the friendship that has evolved and woven itself into these women’s lives.

“The bookends: a 20-year-old inspired by the ages, pushes the pace. A 70-year-old, unafraid to participate, joins the chase. Within the chapters: 30-year-olds juggle work and family; 40-year-olds gain a little bit of ‘me’ time; 50-year-olds establish new goals; and 60-year-olds are motivated by multiple challenges,” she wrote. “They all wear a game face — a smile that has such a bright light it shines through their eyes to welcome those around them. They all bring a skill — speed, endurance, persistence, determination, patience, grace, a story to contribute. Show up when you want to; when you need to; when someone wants you to or when someone needs you to — kinda an unwritten rule of fierce support, someone will be with you.”

It was inspiring to witness this tight group of friends. I spend most of my time kayaking alone, so to be surrounded by supportive, inquisitive, caring females warmed me from the inside.

“Each one has a fire inside, each one brings a strength they are willing to share, a weakness they are not afraid to expose,” Smrek wrote. “Age is irrelevant; it does not determine their ability to level up or their ability to show up, be a support, be a leader, be a follower or just be. There is an ebb and flow that has been finely tuned within this amazing group of women. A tide that rolls along with an intrinsic power. A goal — mine or hers — is fully supported. A dream — mine or hers — is never aborted. Fifty years between the bookends; endless stories held up with grace and strength. Countless kilometres, a myriad of miles swam, cycled, ran, paddled and danced with physical feminine fierceness.”

Crowley Lake is very pretty, almost like a painting. The sunlight filters delicately through the trees and casts a warm glow on the lake; conifers soar overhead; and deciduous trees grow at odd angles, bending towards and flirting with the lake below. The water is so clear in Crowley Lake you can see the bottom in several spots and the reflections on a windless day are quite incredible. There must be at least 100 shades of green along the shoreline.

While we did not venture further, there is a short portage into Linton Lake, which I was told is very beautiful. Because it is small, Crowley Lake is an excellent place to learn to paddle and for the cost of a rental, you can be outfitted with a 12-foot Pungo 120 kayak from Wilderness Systems (I have a 14-foot Pungo 140 and can attest to their excellence).

After a couple of hours touring and investigating the shoreline, we land and I put my kayak back on my jeep. Moustgaard calls me over to the picnic table and tells me there are snacks. She has severely undersold the caliber of these post-paddle treats. As expected, there is cut fruit and a veggie platter with hummus, but there are also homemade spring rolls with a dipping sauce; some kind of small pizza pastry that made my mouth swoon; muffins; chips; and wine. Someone has brought tiny disposable cups and a Swell bottle full of a refreshing white.

We sit around the picnic table, dining on finger foods and chatting. This is when I come to understand the bonds that have formed and the friendships that have been established. There is absolutely no competition here – these women genuinely care for one another and support each other. They share an interest in active pursuits and move together to stay healthy, but these mergers are rooted in deep friendship and respect.

I enjoyed a lovely afternoon in the company of some fine women and I would encourage anyone interested in kayaking or canoeing to check out family-friendly Crowley Lake. Just do not forget the snacks – they really do make a difference.

mkkeown@postmedia.com
Twitter: @marykkeown
705 674 5271 ext. 505235

If you go:

• Kivi Park is a not-for-profit organization. There are ongoing maintenance and overhead costs involved in the operation of the park, so an annual membership fee was established to help recover these costs. Annual passes cost $100 for adults; $90 for seniors; $240 for a family pass; and $50 for students or youth. Day passes may also be purchased.
• An affordability fund is available to anyone who feels they cannot afford the membership fees.
• Kivi Park also provides a number of free passes to many of the community’s social service agencies, including all foster families with the Children’s Aid Society; Big Brothers Big Sisters; Autism Ontario; Better Beginnings Better Futures; the cadets; and para-athletes.
• There are unlimited annual passes for YMCA members who apply for a subsidized sport or memberships.
• All children under 10 years of age have free access to the park.
• Crowley Lake is open Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• An annual unlimited rental package costs $75 for adults (plus HST) and $50 for those under the age of 18.
• Day or annual passes are required to access Crowley Lake. If you are renting a craft, your day pass is included in the rental price. Rentals of canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards cost $28 for adults; $20 for youth aged 10-18, as well as students; and $15 for kids under 10 years of age.
• To reserve your rental equipment please contact the Crowley Lake outpost co-ordinator at 705-626-2531 or email crowleylake@kivipark.com. Please note the phone is only answered during business hours, but feel free to leave a message with the details of your rental request.
• For more information, go to kivipark.com.

The park has taken measures to contain COVID-19:

• Please use social distancing.
• Do not gather in groups larger than 10.
• Use hand sanitizer if required.
• Renters are responsible for carrying their rental equipment from storage to the lake
• Once you are done, please leave the equipment with the outpost co-ordinator to be sanitized.
• Bring your life jacket; however, one will be provided if needed.
• Paying with visa or debit and using tap is recommended.
• Do not share or trade rental equipment with others in your group unless it has been properly sanitized between use.
• If you have any symptoms, have been travelling outside of Canada or have been in contact with anyone suspected of having COVID 19, please stay home.