Kawartha Lakes flag marks municipality’s 25th anniversary

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Residents can celebrate Kawartha Lakes’ 25th anniversary by displaying the municipality’s official flag, at their homes, cottages, businesses and community spaces.

A new supply of City flags are now available for purchase, at Municipal Service Centres, in Bobcaygeon, Coboconk, Lindsay and Omemee.

The 36-by-72-inch flags cost $45, plus HST, and are made in Barrie, Ontario.

Kawartha Lakes adopted its official flag in 2007, following a community design contest. The winning design was created by, Oakwood resident, Daryle Anne Wright.

The flag’s blue stripe represents the municipality’s many lakes and rivers, while the green stripe symbolizes agricultural lands, parks and trails. The sun reflects Kawartha Lakes as a welcoming destination, and the evergreen trees represent sustainable growth.

The design received national recognition in 2022, when Municipal World magazine held a contest to select Canada’s best municipal flag. Kawartha Lakes advanced to the final four, becoming the last Ontario flag remaining in the competition.

The contest officials judged flags on criteria such as: simplicity, meaningful symbolism, limited use of colours, avoiding lettering or seals, and having a distinctive design.

As Kawartha Lakes marks 25 years, the flag offers residents a way to recognize the municipality’s history, while both celebrating the community’s natural landscape and looking toward its future.