JC Community Picnic

Caledon Place has been a part of (or in the hearts of) the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre for over 3 decades.

 

It was moved by the JCCC Board in 1980 that a sub-committee be formed to look for a recreational property north of Toronto, in hopes of involving the sansei through recreational participation, especially sports-related activities such as softball, fishing, swimming and skating. The sub-committee worked hard to raise funds, and along with a matching Wintario Grant, they purchased a picturesque 83-acre property on Highway 10 in beautiful Caledon Hills. It had several buildings on-site, as well as a spring-fed stream and pond.

 

The Caledon Place Committee, under the dedicated leadership of Goro Kawaguchi and Tsugio Iwasa, worked for several seasons to clear and level parts of the land and dredge several ponds which were fed by natural spring water. They constructed public washroom facilities complete with flush toilets and running water. Scores of volunteers assisted in the construction project, sodding, creating gardens, and then tilling and planting. The ponds were stocked with trout and the fish prospered in this paradise. 

 

Caledon Place opened their gates to the public in 1985 and was an instant attraction for picnics, not only by the many community churches and organizations, but by the JC Community Picnic, which attracted over 1,000 picnickers every July 1st. Every weekend was booked with picnics, retreats, family reunions and even weddings.

 

Fall harvest time was special, with volunteers harvesting a plentiful crop of gobo, carrots, potatoes and daikon to be sold at Fall events at the Centre. An annual demba-zuke (pickled daikon) work bee kept volunteers busy for an entire weekend, and the resulting scores of bottles of pickles were in great demand. Winter sports were popular too, with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating and even snowmobiling! Local Scout troops and Girl Guide groups used the facilities for weekend camping adventures and created fond memories for the participants. 

 

Despite Caledon Place being so popular by all users and busy year-round, it was not financially self-sufficient and the JCCC Board eventually had to make some tough decisions on the future of the property. The Caledon Place Committee reviewed their business plan and decided that selling the property was in the financial best interests of the Centre.

 

When the property was finally listed for sale they received several low-ball offers, but in a surprise move a dedicated Nisei bought the property and kept it open for use by the JC community. That was a gift from heaven, as all involved had been resigned to the fact that the Caledon Place property would be gone forever. 

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In 2012, the aforementioned generous Nisei passed away, donating the property back to the JCCC. His legacy lives on in the continued traditions, like the annual picnic, that bring people together in the spirit of friendship and community. 

Caledon Place: A History