Activities & Attractions
Deseronto is ideally situated in the heart of Eastern Ontario nestled on the shores of the Bay of Quinte in the County of Hastings, located just minutes from Prince Edward County. Some of the Town’s many great features include:
- Antique, Gift & Specialty Shopping Experiences
- Restaurants to Satisfy a Variety of Cravings
- Charming Accommodations
- Scenic Waterfront Parks, Green Spaces & Trails
- Public Boat Launch & Docking Facilities (providing access to year round fishing opportunities)
- Recreational, Cultural & Social Events, Programs and Facilities
- Distinct History Shaped by Loyalist, Mohawk and Industrial Heritage
- Unique and Affordable Business & Development Opportunities
- Close Proximity to Many Surrounding Attractions
Shopping, Accommodations & Cuisine
Outdoor Activities
Festivals & Events
Arts & Entertainment
Points of Interest
Self Guided Tours
Activities & Attractions Directory for Print/Download
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For more information regarding Deseronto and area attractions, please browse the community and tourism section of our website and visit our links page where you’ll find links to Deseronto and area attraction websites.
For details regarding Deseronto’s festivals/events and arts & entertainment functions, view the community events calendar on the Deseronto website.
Outdoor Activities
Fishing & Boating
Golf Courses
Camping
Trails & Tours
Parks & Green Spaces
______________________________________________Fishing & Boating
Situated on the shores of the Bay of Quinte, Deseronto is home to world class year round fishing and a wide array of water-based activities. Boat launch/docking facilities can be found at Centennial Park as well as a canteen and washroom facilities, and a variety of other visitor amenities. See Parks & Green Spaces below for Centennial Park information.
Although many avid boaters take to the water during the warmer months, ice fishing is a popular wintertime hobby as well. Deseronto’s waters provide excellent fishing conditions during all seasons of the year.
The Bay of Quinte is home to a variety of fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Whitefish, Brown Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, White Sucker, Gizzard Shad and Chinook Salmon.
The Deseronto Yacht Club hosts several fishing derbies including Walleye, Bass, and family fishing derbies. Club facilities include docking, launching, boat storage and the club house features a lounge/bar for members. New members are always welcome. See Points of Interest section below for club contact information.
___________________________________________________Golf Courses
Several top-rated 9 and 18 hole golf courses are located within a short drive of Deseronto; some of which include Briar Fox, Napanee, Picton, Camden Braes, Loyalist and Trillium Wood Golf & Country Clubs.
______________________________________________________Camping
Mohawk Bay Park is located on Deseronto’s eastern border. The waterfront campground and trailer park features 145 serviced campsites and many amenities including: boat & dock rentals, dump station, sports/recreation facilities, beach, pool, clean showers/washrooms, store, various supplies, and propane refill.
In addition, Long Reach Trailer Park is located on Deseronto’s western border and features serviced campsites, and a selection of visitor amenities. See Accommodations above for campground contact information.
__________________________________________________Trails & Tours
The 780km long Waterfront Trail stretches from Niagara on the Lake to the Quebec border, along the shore of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada. The Waterfront Trail is a multi-use (pedestrian, cycling, rollerblading) recreation trail. The signed trail travels through Deseronto’s waterfront and downtown areas on Main & Water Streets.
Deseronto’s signed nature trail leads from Main St. to Dundas St. through a scenic area located at the western edge of town.
Many biking/hiking trails and driving tours are also nearby; some of which includeLennox & Addington’s County Trails, the Prince Edward County Taste Trail, Studio/Gallery Tours & Wine Routes, the Loyalist Parkway, and the Rideau Heritage Route.
____________________________________________Parks & Green Spaces
Centennial Park is located on Deseronto’s beautiful waterfront and features a children’s playground, picnic and seating areas, gazebo, shoreline paths, boat launch and docking facilities, canteen, washroom facilities, and ample parking.
Rathbun Memorial Park was constructed in the honour of the Rathbun family; considered to be the founders of Deseronto. The Rathbun’s founded Deseronto with industries including lumber, rail, ship, terracotta, glass and many others which resulted in the rapid growth of Deseronto during the 1800’s. The park is located on Main St. in downtown Deseronto and features a memorial stone, water fountain, gazebo, paved walkways, seating areas, and stately trees and perennial plantings.
Deseronto’s waterfront areas feature spacious public green spaces as well that offer beautiful views, and natural landscapes. Community waterfront spaces are located south of Main & Water Streets.
Deseronto is the hub of many surrounding attractions including tourism regions such as Prince Edward County, Bay of Quinte Country, Comfort Country, Land O’Lakes, and more; provincial parks including Sandbanks, Lake on the Mountain, and Menzel Centennial; conservation areas and natural attractions such as Kingsford Conservation Area and Tyendinaga Caverns & Caves.
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Festivals & Events
A variety of seasonal and community events occur in Deseronto that appeal to all ages and interests. Events include annual events such as the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa Claus Parade, and Waterfront Festival to sidewalk sales, social events, concerts & performances, fishing derbies, community yard sales and other seasonal events. Deseronto’s neighbouring communities are also home to a variety of events throughout the year including fairs, festivals, performances, social functions, and more.
For details regarding Deseronto Festivals and Events, view the community events calendar and page on our website.
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Arts & Entertainment
A variety of arts and entertainment events and activities exist in Deseronto. Local groups and organizations such as the Deseronto Arts & Culture Society, Legion, Fixed Fur Life, Community Care for South Hastings, Yacht Club, Quinte Singers, and Public Library; host several events including concerts & performances, art displays & demonstrations, social functions, arts & music classes, and much more. The Deseronto Community Centre is home to Deseronto Storm Junior ‘A’ Hockey team games on weekends from September to March, as well as many other sporting & community functions throughout the year.
For details regarding Deseronto’s Art & Entertainment activities, view the community events calendar and page on our website.
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Points of Interest
Downtown Deseronto
Archives Department
Deseronto Community Recreation Centre
Deseronto Public Library
Deseronto Yacht Club
Deseronto Cemetery
Naylor’s Theatre
War Cenotaph
Heritage Plaques
Area Attractions
___________________________________________Downtown Deseronto
Location: Main St. (St. George & Centre Streets as well)
Deseronto has a quaint downtown featuring historic buildings that are home to antique, gift, specialty, and service businesses, as well as restaurants to satisfy a variety of cravings. The downtown offers a great mix of businesses, attractions and park space. A variety of seasonal and community events occur in downtown Deseronto throughout the year ranging from annual events such as the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa Claus Parade, and Waterfront Festival to sidewalk sales and seasonal events. Deseronto’s downtown and other community areas feature many great shopping experiences, attractions, and events.
If you are considering opening or expanding your business to Deseronto please contact the Economic Development Department for a variety of information including available properties and development opportunities, community profile, business directory, and business development resources. Phone 613-396-1440 or email dvalentyne@deseronto.ca. Downtown Deseronto attracts a wide market of consumers, features unique business opportunities, and new and heritage buildings that are remarkably affordable.
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____________________________________________Archives Department
Location: 358 Main St.
Hours: Wednesdays 10:00am - 4:00pm
P: 613-396-2744
Web: http://deserontoarchives.wordpress.com/
Web: http://www.flickr.com/people/deserontoarchives/
Email: deseronto.archives@gmail.com
The Town of Deseronto Archives Department collects, preserves and makes available materials that relate to the history of the town. These items include photographs, correspondence, maps, newspaper articles and records of town organizations.
The Archivist is available during the Archives’ opening hours to assist researchers with information about the holdings of the Archives and the history of the town. She can also give advice on the care and handling of archival materials.
If you have materials relating to Deseronto that you think would be of interest to others, please consider donating them to the Archives so that they can be preserved into the future.
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____________________________Deseronto Community Recreation Centre
Location: 51 Mechanic St.
P: 613-396-3432
Email: aconger@deseronto.ca
Supervisor: Andy Conger
The community centre-home to the Deseronto Storm, Metro Junior ‘A’ Hockey Team and Deseronto Bulldogs Minor Hockey League, baseball leagues and a variety of other recreation programs and events throughout the year-has an indoor ice arena, conference/banquet facilities, outdoor tennis courts and a newly renovated baseball diamond. The recreation centre will be undergoing some exciting renovations during 2009/2010 that will result in significant facility upgrades and improvements. 
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______________________________________Deseronto Public Library
Location: 358 Main St.
P: 613-396-2744
Email: deserontopubliclibrary@yahoo.ca
Web: www.deserontopubliclibrary.ca
Librarian/CEO: Frances Smith
With almost 4000 square feet of space, the Deseronto Library is able to offer its members books and other resources like never before. Memberships to the Deseronto Library are free. However, children must be registered by their parents.
Library resources include: Reference Information ? Children & Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction Books ? LARGE PRINT BOOKS ? Audio Books ? Magazines ? Interlibrary Loan: if we don’t have it we can get it ? Videos ? Accessible Computer & Internet Use ? Fax Machine ? Photo Copying ? Your Library Collection Automated
__________________________________________Deseronto Yacht Club
Location: 24 Yacht Club Lane
P: 613-354-2254
President: Terry Shelly
Secretary/Treasurer: Barb Thompson
Email (President):
Email (Secretary/Treasurer):
Web: www.yachtclubdeseronto.homestead.com
The Deseronto Yacht Club was formed in 1948. The club is located on Deseronto’s Yacht Club Lane which provides a scenic viewing point of Deseronto and the Bay of Quinte. The yacht club holds regular meetings that usually occur the first Wednesday of each month. They offer boat launch, docking and storage facilities to their members. They also have a lounge and bar for their members, as well
as many special events and fishing derbies throughout the year. The Yacht Club supports a variety of organizations and events throughout Deseronto each year. New members are welcome, contact President Terry Shelly for membership details.
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__________________________________________Deseronto Cemetery
Location: Dundas St./County Rd. 2 East
P: 613-396-2440
Email: gmaracle@deseronto.ca
The Deseronto Cemetery is located on County Rd. #2 just east of Deseronto overlooking the beautiful Bay of Quinte. It is a beautiful resting place featuring stately trees, perennial plantings, walkways, seating areas and can accommodate both upright memorials and flat markers. The cemetery is unique in that it has both a Catholic and Protestant side, and an area designated for WWI RAF/RFC airmen and officers as well.
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_______________________________________________Naylor’s Theatre
Location: 377 Main St.
P: 613-396-5618 (DACS President Barb Thompson)
Email:
The Deseronto Arts & Culture Society (DACS) is a non-profit organization formed in 2004. This organization is working towards restoring and re-opening the Naylor Theatre as a performing arts centre.
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_______________________________________________War Cenotaph
Location: Main St. south (between Centre & St. George Streets)
The community war cenotaph honours veterans of war, and is the site of annual Remembrance Day Ceremonies.
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______________________________________________Heritage Plaques
Heritage Plaque - Founding of Deseronto
Location: Centennial Park
Community heritage plaque commemorating the founding of Deseronto.
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Heritage Plaque - Captain George Fraser Kerr, V.C., M.C., M.M.
Location: Centennial Park
Military Captain born in Deseronto who was awarded for his courage and leadership. He won the Military Medal, the Military Cross, and was awarded with The Victoria Cross (The British Empires highest decoration for valour).
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Heritage Plaque - Camp Rathbun WWI Pilot Training Site
Location: Deseronto Road
Deseronto played a key role in the development of the Allied air forces during WWI. For a 19-month stretch between the spring of 1917 until the end of 1918 the Deseronto Wing was home to a training facility that helped churn out some 4,000 Royal Flying Corps fighter pilots, in turn paving the way for Canada’s increasing influence on the international stage.
_______________________________________________Area Attractions
Deseronto is the hub of many surrounding attractions including tourism regions such as Prince Edward County, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Bay of Quinte Country, Comfort Country, Land O’Lakes, and more; provincial parks including Sandbanks, Lake on the Mountain; conservation areas and natural attractions such as Tyendinaga Caverns & Caves; biking/hiking trails for example Lennox & Addington’s County Trail System and the Waterfront Trail; golf courses including Briar Fox, Picton and Napanee Golf & Country Clubs; various attractions including the Shannonville Motorsport Park Inc.; and much more waiting to be experienced and explored. In addition to Deseronto; surrounding regions and communities including Prince Edward County, Belleville, Kingston, Napanee, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and other Hastings & Lennox & Addington County communities feature many events throughout the year that appeal to a variety of ages and interests.
For more information regarding Deseronto and area attractions mentioned above, please browse the community and tourism section of our website and visit our links page where you’ll find links to Deseronto and area attraction websites.