It’s A Walkable Life

STORY DORATHY GASS | PHOTOGRAPHY MARC FOWLER

As seen in the Peterborough Spring 2026 issue.

There’s nothing like a cottage weekend away during any season of the year in Ontario. But what if you could live the cottage country dream every day? The good news is, you can. Westport is a charming village located on the Rideau Trail and Upper Rideau Lake. Nestled within walking distance of the heart of this small town is the Watercolour community.

In 2021, Land Ark Homes began building Phase 1 of the neighbourhood and launched Phase 3 in September 2025. Surrounded by forests, lakes and rolling hills, nature sits at your doorstep and a different, better way of life awaits homeowners.

“The beauty of Watercolour Westport is living a destination lifestyle that you are not going to find anywhere else in Ontario,” states Wafa Martin, marketing advisor for Land Ark Homes. “Living in this community, you have the luxury of enjoying a home and cottage experience every day within a historic village.”

A mere 10-minute walk from the core of 125-year-old historic Westport, the Watercolour community has lakes at each end within walking distance, a harbourfront on one side for scenic views and boating and a beachfront lake on the other for those who want to soak up some fun in the sun. The neighbourhood sits close to Foley Mountain Conservation Area and the Rideau Trail, where hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a forest school and other outdoor adventures await, all while offering the incredible views that Mother Nature provides. This welcoming community is also rich with amenities, including coffee shops, a grocery store, a brewpub, a sourdough bakery, restaurants, a winery, schools, a plethora of parks and so much more – all within minutes of the homes.

“Our vision with Watercolour is to improve wellness by creating a walkable life within the community. You’re healthier, you’re happier and you can build unique and meaningful memories both in and outside your home,” Wafa notes.

The idea behind Watercolour’s motto of A Better Place to Call Home comes from all the things that make your home special, but this isn’t something solely confined within the walls of a house – it extends to the outside of the home and everything that surrounds it.

“This is a community unlike any other,” explains Stephen Rolston, Land Ark’s founder. “Not even one per cent of new home communities across Canada are designed for pedestrians. Actually, 99 per cent are built far from the way I believe we were meant to live.”

Stephen explains that most of us live in one area and then commute to another for work and leisure. We travel across the city to get groceries and other household needs. Doctors’ appointments, dentist visits and family activities are rarely done within walking distance, and the list goes on. Why spend most of your time driving when everything your heart desires is close to home? This gives you more time to do the things you love, with the people that mean the most.

Beyond walkability, Watercolour focuses on establishing a real sense of roots and community. Craftsman-style homes with deep front porches, sidewalks, trails, and a hilltop park with grand views make meeting your neighbours an easy pleasure.

With one-gigabyte (1GB) fibre optic internet service available in every Watercolour house, working remotely from home or having a hybrid schedule becomes even more appealing.

“Many have commented that the Watercolour community is like a little European village, placed in the centre of cottage country,” Stephen adds. “It’s just a different quality of life.”

In addition, Watercolour homes are fossil-fuel free and net-zero ready, which provides the ultimate efficiency and comfort, and are built to last for generations. Each house offers improved indoor air quality, reducing allergens and even temperature control throughout the home. There’s also peace of mind in knowing that enhanced, environmentally-sustainable technology helps lessen your ecological footprint.

With that said, each Watercolour home has a uniqueness that makes it distinct. Many new developments are known for their cookie-cutter look. Not at Watercolour. “We love Craftsman architecture and our goal is never to make the same house twice,” Stephen notes.

Land Ark hosts the Watercolour Stories podcast, which talks more about the neighbourhood and all the incredible things happening within it, including testimonials from homeowners living in the community. Episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Those interested in a weekend stay to further explore the idea of starting a new chapter in this community are encouraged to do so. Land Ark provides a $500 getaway credit, plus accommodation ideas on their website to help with the planning. You can make your cottage country dream home a reality. OH