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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 16, 2007 - 17 ADVERTORIAL Woodland Heights offers luxurious homes that are enveloped by quiet, secluded, untouched natural forests and ponds The former mayor of Oakville, Harry Barrett (1973 to 1985) once described the town as a place that was run like a city, but felt like village. That was the flavour of Oakville two decades ago. Gridlock and a housing boom have since radically altered its `village' landscape. But residents from Barrett's leadership days are rediscovering the Oakville of old up in Huntsville. Specifically, in Muskoka's Woodland Heights. Here is an idyllic setting where yearround luxurious homes/cottages are enveloped by quiet, secluded, untouched natural forests and ponds. Residents are witness to seasonal splendours such as a mass of autumn colour on the treetop covered hills that stretch across Woodland Heights, or breath-taking snow-capped mountains in winter, welcome greenery of newly unfolded leaf buds in spring and the a canopy of comfortable shade in summer. That's not to say this is a place strictly for the Grizzly Adams set. Sociable sorts who crave contact with people easily find it close by, among a slate of amiable neighbours and a little further afield, in the surrounding Muskoka towns where interesting amenities from golf and skiing to museums and fine dining exist. The hiatus from the former urban oases of Oakville and Mississauga to the havens of Woodland Heights is a story told again and again by newcomers. Consider Diane and Ron Howald who took possession of their new home in Woodland Heights in September 2005. The couple's home is a popular destination for visiting friends and family who crave a small slice of the picturesque lifestyle the Howalds enjoy daily. Heather and Tony Cairns fled the smog-filled, time-consuming life of a commuter in Oakville, for Woodland Heights, in March 2006. Neither has looked back with regret, rather only with grateful glee. The Cairns now know serenity amid their 2.3-acre property that has its own pond, and in the designer house that they chose to place on it. While these living spaces are replete with all the comforts of city life ­ regular garbage and recycling pick up, plowed roads, nearby schools, health centres, high-speed Internet ­ care has been taken to eliminate the unsightly overhanging wires and concrete light standards typical of an all too bustling city street. Many of the lots overlook two of Ontario's finest playgrounds, the formidable, luxurious Deerhurst and Grandview resorts that sit at the foot of Woodland Heights. Superb skiing at Hidden Valley and Arrowhead Provincial Park also surround the Woodland community. For avid boaters there are endless miles of waterways to explore, on Fairy Lake, Peninsula Lake, Vernon Lake, Mary Lake and Lake of Bays. And golf lovers thrill in the large number of world-class golf courses in the area. The Woodland Heights resort community represents the perfect blend of rustic Fall view from Woodland Heights getaway and urbane sophistication. According to Woodland Heights' Chuck MacDougall, 30 per cent of the Muskoka development's residents hail from Oakville and Mississauga. The majority, 65 per cent, are full-time residents and retirees of all ages. The remainder is recreational owners, cottagers who head up to their little bit of Huntsville heaven six to eight months in a year. Since 2001, 95 estate lots have been sold and 45 custom homes have been built on the 500-acre resort community. The opportunity to snap up one of these preferred homes away from home is closing in quickly. Woodland Heights is now releasing its fourth and final phase. There are 27 lots along this fully-forested stretch built along a road aptly named Nature's Way. Eleven of the 27 lots back onto Woodland Heights' planned 145-acre nature sanctuary. The Woodland Heights Nature Sanctuary is a protected wilderness zone set aside as a place to explore and discover the secrets of the natural world. It's in keeping with the nearby national treasure that is Algonquin Park. The Wildlife Sanctuary will include a series of interpretive trails that will be strategically located to allow hikers a chance to explore and enjoy scenic views, woodland trails, wetlands, streams and mixed forest habitats. Woodland Heights has, since its inception, worked alongside famed naturalist Robin Tapley to design the trails system and programs to involve the community in their treasure. Some of Robin's programs will include an Adopta-Feeder program that gives residents an opportunity to fund a feeder that will be placed on the nature trail within the sanctuary. Sponsors will get a map so that they can find their feeder on the trail, a nature picture and their name engraved on the home they've provided for their feathered friends. At Beaver Pond visitors will find wildlife checklists pertaining to birds, animal tracks and butterflies. It's a fun way to keep track of all that is seen within earshot and walking distance of home at Woodland Heights. "Our goal is to ensure that the residents of Woodland Heights take advantage and support this unique sanctuary," said MacDougall. On the luxury side, The Woodland Heights Clubhouse will provide a location for the residents to get together, entertain and enjoy each other's company. The clubhouse is currently being designed by a committee of Woodland Heights owners along with the Woodland Heights designer and management. A lot has been set aside, on the highest point in the area, providing a majestic views of Peninsula and Fairy lakes, Deerhurst and Grandview Resorts. A peaceful life awaits for 27 more homeowners ready to take up residency in Woodland Heights. Will you be one of the lucky ones? Stream in nature sanctuary COUNTRY LIVING AT ITS FINEST DISCOVER MUSKOKA'S PREMIER RESIDENTIAL RESORT COMMUNITY OVERLOOKING DEERHURST AND GRANDVIEW RESORTS New M odel Home · Beautiful custom homes in a woodland setting · Average 2 acre lots with minimum 200' foot frontages · Breathtaking vistas from 500 acres of pristine woodlands · Nature sanctuary · Future clubhouse FINAL PHASE NOW OPEN OPEN HOUSE AND PROPERTY TOURS Daily from 10:00 to 5:00 pm. Visit our decorated model home. CALL (705) 787-0001 www.woodlandheights.ca ninsula L Deerhurst R Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. E & O.E.