The DSLPOA community is made up of a mixture of individuals and volunteers from different walks of life. Our community is diverse, and that diversity is one of our strengths.
DSLPOA is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, parental status, marital status, as well as gender expression, mental illness, socioeconomic status, or background.
We are united by DSLPOA's values of being considerate, respectful and being supportive, celebrating our unique differences.
The purpose of this Cottager’s Code for the DSLPOA community is not to dictate how people must behave, but rather to suggest an approach to certain fundamental issues surrounding cottage life that, if adopted, will help preserve the lake’s serenity and beauty for the enjoyment of all.
Despite the fact that over 500 properties line the shorelines of Drag Lake, Outlet Bay and the contiguous waters of Spruce Lake, the environment remains largely pristine, and the general ambience of the Lake is one of peacefulness.
These qualities are increasingly rare in cottage country, and worth preserving. Maintaining a quiet and unspoiled ambience on the lake has many benefits - aesthetic, personal and economic. The lakes should remain a place where the air is pure, the forests green and thriving, the wildlife abundant, the shoreline natural, the nights dark, and the loudest sound is the call of the loons. It should be a refuge from the noise and pressures of daily life - a place to delight the eye, quiet the mind and soothe the soul.
Preserving the lake’s most attractive characteristics will require a concerted effort by every property owner and their guests. This Cottager’s Code identifies activities and conditions which could compromise the lake’s serenity, respectfully suggests an approach that will benefit the entire community of property owners and lake users.
It is the desire of all who know and love the lakes that their character and beauty remain unchanged for future generations. This is reflected in Article 1 of the Drag and Spruce Lakes Property Owners Association (DSLPOA) Constitution, which states aims and objectives:
- To protect the environment of the Lakes (water, land, air and natural heritage),
- To assist in fostering the interests of the residents of the lakes in so far as they, pertain to the lakes,
- To foster a feeling of "belonging" to the area by all residents,
- To promote closer ties and interests among the residents of both lakes,
- To be a vehicle for promoting common interests and goals,
- To disseminate information to its members.
Every effort will be made the preserve and protect the physical beauty of the forest, the shoreline, and the waters of Drag Lake.
- The urbanization of the shoreline environment is discouraged. Extensive tree removal, lawn planting, and other changes which alter the wilderness character of the lake’s shoreline, should be avoided,
- The waters of Drag Lake will be preserved in their clean, clear state. Property owners will ensure that septic systems function correctly, and are regularly maintained. The use of fertilizers that may enter the lake with runoff will be avoided. Soaps and shampoos will never be used in the lake, since they contribute to phosphate enrichment and algae growth,
- The diversity of wildlife with whom we share the lake environment will be respected, and where necessary every effort will be made to preserve their habitat,
- To limit the risk of forest fires, any burning will be done with great care, adequate precautions, and in full observation of the restrictions which may from time to time be put in place by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Cottagers are encouraged to determine the current state of fire regulations before lighting open fires for any purpose.
Preserving a quiet, unspoiled environment on Drag Lake shall be given the highest priority.
- Every property owner on Drag Lake has a fundamental right to the quiet enjoyment of their surroundings. Loud parties, the playing of music that can be heard beyond the confines of one’s own cottage, and other forms of intrusive noise likely to disturb others, are specifically discouraged. Preserving a quiet environment requires special consideration in the evenings and nights, when sounds carry strongly across water,
- Personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles/dirt bikes, and outboard motors generate a particularly intrusive form of noise which can, if operated improperly, interfere with the quiet enjoyment to which every property owner is entitled. Accordingly, Drag Lake property owners respectfully ask that cottagers and their,
guests operate these vehicles with respect for your neighbours, in accordance with the law and the manufacturer’s recommendations for safety, - Boating safety is a prime concern for all users of Drag Lake. Property owners are asked to observe all regulations, particularly those restricting speed close to shorelines. High speed, high powered and excessively noisy boats not in keeping with the preservation of a quiet environment on the lake, are not welcome,
- To protect the Drag Lake environment from light pollution, property owners will keep illumination to a minimum, avoid placing spot lights where they may shine over the lake, or be highly visible from other properties, and turn lights off wherever possible.