Situated at Big Bay Point on the west shore of Lake Simcoe in the town of Innisfil, Ontario - located approximately 62 miles north of Toronto, Canada - Friday Harbour Resort encompasses 600 acres and features a vibrant Marina Village, a nature preserve, and an 18-hole golf course. Lake Simcoe is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, a 240-mile canal system that connects Lake Ontario to Lake Huron at Georgian Bay. Opened in 1922, the Trent-Severn Waterway is recognized as one of Canada's National Historic Sites, offering an unparalleled experience of Ontario's scenic landscape.

The idea of establishing a major resort at Big Bay Point was conceived in the early 2000s. A consortium of partners - led by developer Geranium Homes - embarked on the process of creating a four-season resort that would provide exceptional services for boaters while positioning itself as a local, regional, and international tourist destination. In 2002, urban planning and architecture firm DPZ CoDesign prepared the schematic master plan, which envisioned a "village-on-the-lake" founded on the principles of new urbanism and emphasizing walkability, active living, and strong connections to water and nature.

The Marina Village
The social, cultural, and recreational centerpiece of the resort, the Marina Village features a diverse mix of approximately 2,000 resort homes, a commercial promenade with shops and restaurants, a 7.2-mile boardwalk, the Beach Club, the Lake Club, and the Pier, all framing a 40-acre marina basin with 1,000 boat slips. The basin was created by excavating over 90 million cubic feet of earth, all of which was relocated to the golf course to create the fairways, tees, and greens. One of the largest freshwater marinas in North America, Friday Harbour Marina offers a full range of amenities for boaters, including fuel and laundry services at the Harbour Master Center. Extending 377 feet, the Pier is punctuated by the Marina Pavilion, a multi-purpose venue that hosts concerts and seasonal events.

 
The Nature Preserve
Encompassing 200 acres of protected woodlands and wetlands, The Nature Preserve provides habitats for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including designated at-risk species. Existing wetlands were enhanced, and new wetlands were created to support the sustainability of this natural area. A 4.3-mile trail system - including 1.1 miles of elevated boardwalk - was constructed to offer visitors an immersive experience in all seasons while minimizing potential impacts on the sensitive landscape.

The Nest Golf Club
An 18-hole course, The Nest was designed by Carrick Design's Douglas Carrick, an internationally renowned golf course architect who sculpted the landforms and shaped the fairways to create a distinctive golfing experience for players of all levels while providing breathtaking views of Lake Simcoe and Kempenfelt Bay beyond. The Landscape Architects collaborated with Carrick Design to establish new woodland restoration areas within the golf course site, resulting in the creation of approximately 148 acres of new forest. The Nest has attained and continues to maintain Gold certification from the Audubon International Signature Sanctuary program.

Shaping the Site
Schollen & Company has served as the principal Landscape Architect for the project since 2005, refining the original visionary master plan while developing the designs for and overseeing the construction of all resort landscape components. To achieve a signature aesthetic, the firm designed custom site furniture, shade structures, and placemaking elements. The custom lighting palette was carefully developed to create a clear and legible nightscape with minimal reliance on high-mast lights, ensuring that illumination complements the resort's ambiance as an escape from urban life.

After conducting research into optimal construction materials for the commercial promenade while considering both high use and long-term performance, the design team specified Ipe wood for the boardwalk and marina docks due to its durability and extended lifecycle compared to less expensive alternatives. They also collaborated with the marina dock manufacturer to design security gates and seamlessly integrate service infrastructure.

Sustainability Initiatives
Stormwater runoff from the Marina Village is collected in a tank beneath the commercial promenade and pumped to the golf course for irrigation purposes. Plant species were chosen to promote biodiversity, with particular emphasis on pollinator-supportive varieties. Additionally, a comprehensive invasive species management plan was prepared and is being implemented to prevent the spread of invasive plants within the nature preserve.

Challenges Addressed
The need for extensive service infrastructure - including a water reservoir, stormwater management, and sanitary pumping stations - required creative interdisciplinary collaboration to integrate these elements into the landscape as functional features. Recognizing that the resort's success would depend in part on its ability to host a wide variety of events throughout the seasons, the landscape design emphasized maximum flexibility to accommodate concerts, theatrical performances, seasonal celebrations, social gatherings, and recreational programs. To ensure year-round accessibility for restaurants and retail establishments, the team designed and installed a snow-melting system along the entire length of the commercial promenade. As the project progressed, the Landscape Architect represented the client partnership, ensuring the constructed landscapes met the high-quality standards consistent with the resort's long-term vision.

Gauging the Results
Friday Harbour Resort has grown from an 'idea' conceived over two decades ago into a thriving destination, drawing boaters and tourists from near and far while offering residents a tranquil, lakeside escape. The resort continues to expand on this success, introducing new amenities and experiences each year, with plans for a hotel and conference center, a racquet academy, a spa, a forest school, a forest canopy walk, and approximately 2,000 more residences. The landscape provides a consistent and distinctive aesthetic, conveying a contemporary character that complements the site's architecture while accommodating the diverse programs and activities that contribute to the vibrancy and appeal of the resort and its establishment as a premier destination.