Under the laws of Ontario, the only way to keep the Park private is to have the Harcourt Park Owners' Association own all the land, and lease back portions to its resident members for their individual use. With this unique membership arrangement, the Harcourt Park resident, after his original investment in lot and cottage, assumes no further obligation except normal taxes, and a $5 annual membership fee. His individual rights are fully protected, and he may re-sell his property at any time.
The Planning Act of Ontario states: If individual deeds are given, "land to an amount determined by the minister, but not to exceed 5% of the land included in the plan shall be conveyed to the municipality for public purposes other than highways" and the Act further provides that all roads must be public roads, open to the public at any time.
The By-laws of Harcourt Park are designed to give members, their families and guests, full and exclusive use of the Park, but protect all residents against intrusion by the public. In addition, the By-Laws provide common-sense rules for the protection of property and security of all members.
If Harcourt Park had been developed as a conventional summer resort, tourists, fishermen, hunters and Sunday drivers would be legally free to use any of the Park's roads, lakes, streams and forests.
But, as a private-club community
co-operatively owned by the residents, Harcourt Park is private property--all
6,600 acres. Only the residents, their families and guests are entitled
to enjoy this magnificent natural estate.