Descendants of Geneva Park philanthropist call for preservation of 'magical' place (5 photos)

Four descendants of philanthropist William Thomson — who sold Geneva Park to the YMCA in 1905 — are speaking out about the pending sale of the property.

Liz Gerow, Mary Bouchard, Beverley Hooper and Elaine Peterson, Thomson’s great-granddaughters, say they are saddened and disappointed by the YMCA’s decision to put the park up for sale.

“We just think it’s short-sighted,” Gerow said. “They’re not making waterfront property anymore. (The YMCA) won’t be able to buy a property like this again,” she said.

“The Y has overcome so many challenges, like World Wars, the Depression and the Spanish Flu and they haven’t had to sell,” she said. “Is there not something that can be done to rise up and meet this challenge?”

Hooper explained the YMCA had to close for five years, in the late 1800s, and in 1899, William Thomson bought all their chattels and later gave them back to them for free.

“That’s why he was made a lifetime member of the Y,” she said. “What we need is another William Thomson.”

The sisters believe the history of their great-grandfather and Geneva Park matters a great deal and they want to honour that, Bouchard said.

William Thomson made his fortune taking over his father John Thomson’s Longford Township lumber empire when he was 21 years old, Bouchard said. But while he was a shrewd businessman, he was most well-known for his big heart, she said.

“His purpose was to be philanthropic—he retired at age 41. He was well-loved by the community and by everyone, everywhere he went,” Bouchard said.

Geneva Park was named after Thomson’s sister, Gen, and his wife, Eva, Gerow said. “He was a good man — a religious man — who believed in the mission of the YMCA.”

Before Thomson sold the land to the YMCA, he used it as an amusement park, Gerow said. “It had a petting zoo and a small railway for children’s rides.”

Gerow said Thomson owned two steamers and gave families free rides from Lake Couchiching to Geneva Park on day trips. “He was always looking after people’s health — and their mental health,” she said.

She explained Thomson was also a major donor to the Muskoka Sanitorium in Gravenhurst (for Tuberculosis patients) and believed in fresh air therapy.

Thomson was the president of the YMCA in 1893 and 1894, Gerow said. He was made an Honorary Life Member and Honorary Lifetime Board Chair in the late 1800s.

“He deeply believed in the mission and vision of the Y,” she said. “We’re just hoping the Y honours their mission and vision for social justice."

When asked what they thought would be the worst-case scenario for the sale of Geneva Park, Peterson quickly chimed in: “Condos. Huge residential development.”

“They need to slow this down,” she said referring to the Y’s decision to publicly list the property for sale in March, after a request for a proposal process to find a realtor. “Don’t do this in haste.”

“We’re opposed to it becoming a development,” Hooper said.

“Development could seriously upset the environment,” Gerow added.

Bouchard explained that generations of families spent their summers in Geneva Park. “We would very much like it to stay as it is now — for recreation, culture and general enjoyment. It’s a magical place. We want to keep it in the spirit in which it was given.”

“We’d love major donors to step up, like our great-grandfather did,” Gerow said.

“We’d love someone to step in and rescue them. If that doesn’t happen, we’d like (the park) to become something good for society,” Peterson said.

Gerow said her grandchildren have experienced Geneva Park every year for the last 14 years. “I’d like their children to be able to continue that opportunity.”

The sisters offered many ideas for potential new uses for the park including possible partnerships with government, the OPP and mental health organizations to create skills training opportunities for youth or a centre for the police to train with mental health workers for new policing efforts around mental health calls.

“If the peninsula could also incorporate a trail system along the waterfront area for day pass use, that would be a wonderful enhancement,” Bouchard said. “The use of the waterfront for small non-power boats, kayaks, paddleboards and swimming would be a wonderful addition and would allow all Ontarians and visitors access for their fitness and mental health, aligning to the YMCA values for mind, body and spirit, as well.”

“We want the Y to honour their mission,” Peterson said. “That’s what our grandfather gave it to them for.”