Kleinburg is a recreational paradise

Picturesque village is surrounded by 'unspoiled land' protected by conservation efforts

Torontosun.com
March 3, 2018
By Linda White

When Ian Dejardin took over the reigns as executive director of the famed McMichael Canadian Art Collection last year, he already felt at home in Kleinburg because of regular visits there but hadn't fully discovered the "magical beauty" that inspired the Group of Seven painters he loved to promote abroad.

Over the years, Dejardin got to know Kleinburg while putting on several major Group of Seven shows in his former role as CEO of the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, Eng. "I knew the McMichael (art gallery) was the gateway to Canadian art but I hadn't realized it was a gateway to this enormous trove of unspoiled land protected by conservation efforts," he says.

"I've discovered I only have to walk 10 minutes from my desk and I'm in land that hasn't changed for a thousand years…It's a gateway to paradise. You can walk for miles and miles and miles."

The gallery, nestled in a picturesque log home on 100 acres of forested land along the Humber River, is just south of the Kleinburg's historic village, which has remarkably maintained its "pioneer prettiness," says Dejardin.

City of Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua even refers to Kleinburg as the "jewel" of Vaughan. "While intensification is taking place throughout our city, Kleinburg remains very much a picturesque village. If we can say cities are the economic engines of the country, then villages and main streets are the hearts and souls of our communities."

Still, main streets are being forced to transform in response to evolving development, living and shopping patterns and Kleinburg's is no exception.

A few years back, Vaughan completed an Economic Development Strategy following the successful Mainstreet National Trust for Historic Preservation model. The result defines Kleinburg's niche as an outdoor recreational paradise and a meeting place for visitors and the local community.

The village is the setting of much-loved annual events like the Binder Twine Festival. Held every September, it dates back to the late 1800s, when local farmers received their yearly supply of twine to tie together bundles of wheat. Over time, it became a large community event with games and entertainment.

The village also boasts eclectic boutiques, luxury spas, European-inspired cafés and restaurants like The Doctor's House, built in 1867 and charmingly restored. "By night, the village is undeniably transformed into a row of romantic restaurants and coffee shops," the Village Kleinburg website says. "When patio season is in full swing, the village comes alive with espresso-and-gelato lovers alike and is a wonderful place for meeting friends." In warmer months, the village is also a mecca for cyclists and hikers. Easy trails lead from the village core to the McMichael Gallery and more advanced trails are located outside the village.

"The other fascinating piece of Kleinburg is the Kortright Centre for Conservation, which is a real environmental treasure. It's Canada's largest environmental learning centre and welcomes around 135,000 visitors annually," Bevilacqua says.

As an unincorporated village in Vaughan, Kleinburg shares in the city's diverse economy, which encompasses about 12,000 businesses that employ 218,000 people. "In 2015, our median household income exceeded $105,000 so that made us No. 1 amongst the largest 20 municipalities in Canada," Bevilacqua says. "Based on this high household income, you could come to the conclusion that the people of Kleinburg are working in highly-skilled, well-paying jobs."

A number of residential developments, including several three-storey, mixed-use developments and a luxury home collection by Mattamy Homes, are underway. "Even though we've seen increased population and greater business activities…we've been able to capture the essence of the village and haven't altered it in ways that it has altered its spirit and soul," says Bevilacqua.