How do we make Apsley an even better place to live, visit, and do business?
That was the big question behind the Downtown Revitalization Survey conducted this past summer. Between June and September 2025, NK Economic Development Officer hit the streets to chat with full-time residents, seasonal cottagers, and visitors.
A recently presented the findings to the Township Council. Here is a breakdown of what was learned about our community’s strengths, challenges, and future opportunities.
Who Was Heard from?
The survey gathered detailed feedback from 48 participants. While the group was small, the conversations provided deep insights into how different people experience our downtown.
35% were Full-Time Residents
27% were Seasonal Residents
35% were Visitors
Heard from a wide range of voices, from those who have lived here for over 10 years to first-time tourists.
The Good News: What Was Love About Apsley
The results highlighted two major areas where Apsley shines:
The People are the Priority: The number one strength identified was friendliness. 73% of you rated the friendliness of downtown businesses as "Excellent." Community pride is strong here.
Safety First: 83% of respondents agreed that Apsley feels safe, even at night.
Local Loyalty: There is a massive desire to support local businesses. 81% of respondents agreed they try to shop locally whenever possible. Among full-time residents, that number jumped to 94%.
The Challenge: Why People Shop Elsewhere
While the desire to shop locally is high, the reality is often different. Many respondents admitted that Apsley is their primary spot for weekly needs, but 52% still travel elsewhere (mostly to Peterborough) due to price and selection.
Top Concerns:
Product Availability: Only 38% felt that local businesses currently meet all their needs.
Store Hours: While most found hours acceptable, there is a desire for more consistent opening times.
Infrastructure: Public amenities, parking, and sidewalks were frequently rated as "fair" or "needing improvement."
Your Wishlist: What Apsley Needs
It was asked what new businesses or services you would like to see. The top requests included:
Health & Wellness: More clinics and wellness services.
Food & Retail: A farmers market, affordable groceries, and more restaurants/cafés.
Family Fun: Playgrounds and family-oriented amenities.
It was asked for your thoughts on specific improvements to the downtown core (Burleigh Street). The community support for infrastructure upgrades was very strong:
76% want better Wayfinding Signage (to help people find their way around).
73% support dedicated Sidewalks on Burleigh Street.
71% want a Speed Limit Reduction on Burleigh Street to make it safer for pedestrians.
71% support creating more Off-Street Parking.
What’s Next?
This survey is just the first step. These insights—combined with the one-on-one feedback received by the Economic Development Officer—will help shape the Downtown Revitalization process.
The Township is looking at how to prioritize cost-effective improvements that balance growth with preserving the nature and history that make North Kawartha special.
Stay Tuned: Keep the conversation going!
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