Since 2014 Friends of Misery Bay, with input and cooperation from Ontario Parks, have been at work improving our trail systems through the addition of two shelters, extensive signage, educational hotspots, and much more.
These projects would not be possible without the financial contributions and countless hours of hard work from FOMB volunteers and board members, Ontario Parks, the Stewardship Rangers, Manitoulin Streams, Manitoulin Timber Frames, Roundtree Company, and many other wonderful people and organizations.
If you have any interest in helping with upcoming FOMB projects, please send us an email at friendsofmiserybay@gmail.com
In 2014 we built the shelter at Saunders Cove, which is a 3.5km hike from the Visitor's Centre.
In 2016 we built the Friends Shelter, which is on the beach and a short 1.1km hike from our Visitor’s Centre.
In 2016 we began our 1.1km handicap access trail running from the Interpretive Centre to the Friends Shelter.
This trail has been made with all-natural materials sourced from our beautiful Manitoulin. It was completed in 2020.
In 2019, high water levels along Lake Huron partially inundated our Friends Shelter. Five of the eight cement pads this shelter sat on were undermined, leaving it prone to losing all support and becoming severely and irreparably damaged.
Thankfully, with emergency funding from Ontario Parks and the generous help of volunteers, the shelter was moved 40ft inland and has since been moved to a much safer permanent location.
In 2021, our Friends Shelter was again affected by rising water levels. We were lucky to have the lovely crew from Manitoulin Timber Frames, led by George and assisted by Ontario Parks staff and FOMB volunteers, who were able to move it a further 8ft inland.
Photos, taken by Will Kershaw of Ontario Parks, show erosion damage along the coast from water and storms.
In 2022, we began replacing sign posts and plastic trail-markers with local cedar provided by Roundtree Company of Ice Lake, trail maps printed by Beacon Images, and wooden trail-markers painted with environmentally friendly, water-based paint. With the help of board members, our summer staff members, and volunteers, this project has been an ongoing success.
In 2025, FOMB summer staff and board members assisted Ontario Parks staff in the installation of nine informational signs around the park. These signs work to highlight and provide scientific and historical context to the natural beauty of our park.
If you would like to be involved in these projects, or learn more about them, please contact