Our NEIGHBOURHOOD

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Our neighbourhood includes year-round and seasonal residents/ property owners, tenants, and guests.

We collaborate to promote common values, such as the protection of the lake, watershed, wildlife, and natural surroundings. Members organize events such as work parties to repair the roads and remove invasive plant species. Social events include group paddles on the lake, group hikes or snowshoe walks, and educational workshops.

Below is a list of other local lake Associations who also focus on building community and protecting the environment:

bellfraser.ca/the-lakes lacnotredame.org 

lacgauvreau.ca 

lacbernard.ca 

lacmcgregorlake.ca
associationbbr.ca 

lacsinclair.ca
apl31milles.ca
pemichangan.org
mylacheney.ca

Our Association is a caring community of neighbours concerned for the safety of our members. 

We make an effort to be friendly, get to know each other, and reduce suspicious activity by watching out for our neighbours, neighbours’ property, the lake. and surrounding natural environment.

The local MRC police force, Service de la Sécurité Publique de la MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais, is located 5 minutes away in Wakefield village.

Visit the MRC website or 

call 819-459-9911 to learn more about their community services. 

In the event of any emergency, call 911!

There is no public water access to Island Lake. 

The South Bay Association manages the shared beach. It is private property. Only members with deeded access may use the trail and beach.

Members with deeded access should be present if their guests are at the beach.

There is no parking on chemin Wesche to access the trail down to the beach. Users are encouraged to walk, bike or paddle over.

Leave no trace. Please bring your garbage with you when you leave.

Be respectful of the wildlife along the shoreline and in the water.

There is one private Neighbourhood Association trail open to members only. It is the section of the old Dubois Road, between chemin Fournier and chemin Timberlake.

This trail is for recreational activities - walking, running, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, dog walking, ATVing (at slow speeds), etc.

Large motorized vehicles (cars/ trucks) are not permitted on the old Dubois Road trail except for maintenance or emergency purposes only.

Members are also fortunate to have permission to access trails on private lands in the neighbourhood. Volunteers are available to guide members on the trails and explain the conditions users must follow to enjoy the privilege of accessing trails on private lands. Contact the Board for a list of trail volunteers.

Trail etiquette reminders: 

* Use of trails is at your own risk.

* Be respectful of other users and of the properties bordering trails. 

* Keep noise to a minimum.

* Keep your dog on a leash and pick up their poop.

*Help keep trails clear of branches and debris.

The Gatineau Hills region is a wildlife habitat. Some of the wild animals living in the neighbourhood include black bears and coywolves.

Coywolves are a hybrid species of coyote and wolf (and more recently dog). They are bigger and stronger than coyotes. Typically, they are shy animals, but have become more tolerant of people and noise.

Below are tips to help reduce the risk of encounters with our "wild" neighbours:

Avoid attracting bears and coywolves: 

*Store garbage and food waste properly to avoid strong odours.

*Don’t leave kitchen waste, especially meat, outside for any length of time. 

*Don’t let your bird feeders overflow.

*If you compost, use an enclosed bin that locks.

Protect family pets from animals:

*Keep your cats inside, especially at night.

*Supervise your dogs when they are outside.

*Clean up after your dog; coywolves are attracted to dog feces. 

*Spay and neuter your dogs (coywolves are attracted to domestic dogs and can mate with them).

Protect young children from coywolves:

*Don’t leave small children unattended outside.

*Teach children what to do if they see a coywolf.

IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR OR A COYWOLF, DO THE FOLLOWING:

*Remember the goal is to leave the territory of the animal calmly and rapidly.

*Keep your distance from the animal.

*Alert the animal to your presence by making noise - clap your hands, speak in a calm voice. 

* Bring a flashlight if you are out at night. Flash it at the animal.

*Back up slowly, but do not turn your back on the animal.

*Do not play dead. Never run from the animal.

*PIck up small children.

*Put dogs on a leash. Do not let dogs approach the animal.

*Try to appear larger than you are - raise your arms, and group together if there are several of you.

*In case of a real attack, defend yourself. Struggle, yell, hit the animal with a rock or stick. 

To learn more about wildlife safety precautions and tips, visit the following websites:

https://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/english/wildlife//wildlife-habitats/pdf/ours.pdf

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/blog/five-tips-to-enjoy-gatineau-park-and-respect-park-wildlife

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/blog/the-black-bear-in-gatineau-park

https://www.ontario.ca/page/preventing-and-managing-conflicts-coyotes

Our Association is located in a region with an active sport hunting and fishing community. 

We encourage members and their guests to inform themselves about the provincial sport hunting season dates (September to December) via the Province of Quebec Sport Hunting website before venturing onto private property. 

Members should note that during the provincial sport hunting season: 

* Hunters have exclusive rights to hunt on the Five Lakes Club lands.

* Hunters have permits to hunt on other lands in close proximity of the neighbourhood.

* Some ILPOA members have  permits to hunt on their private property.

Be Safe, Be Seen! As we share outdoor spaces with sportsmen, it’s important to take precautions during the hunting season: 

* Be aware that hunting is taking place. Know the seasons, dates, locations.

*  Be aware of signage.

* Make noise. Talk, whistle, wear bells -  let your presence be known.

* Avoid dawn and dusk, and anytime visibility is limited.

* Wear hunter orange colours (hat, vest, scarf, etc.,) and avoid beige, brown, white, red or green clothing.

* Stick to established trails.

*Keep your pet(s) on a leash and use a bright vest, collar or leash to make your pet more visible.

*Hike with a friend or in a group.

 *Always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.

If you witness illegal action or suspicious activity during hunting season, such as: 

* Gunfire during a prohibited period or at night;

* Lighting to locate large game;

* Suspicious vehicle travelling slowly at night;

*Someone shooting at animals from a vehicle;

*Someone shooting from a road;

Report illegal actions or suspicious activity to a wildlife conservation officer: 

SOS Poaching:

Telephone:

1 800 463-2191 

or 

1 844 LAFORET (1 844 523-6738)

Email:

centralesos@mffp.gouv.qc.ca

Direction de la gestion des forêts de l’Outaouais

Telephone:

819 246-4827

Email:
outaouais.foret@mffp.gouv.qc.ca