Bridge End Bunkie - A view of Ball's Bridge
In 2020, Elizabeth van den Broeck finally found her dream property. After a 20 year search for the ideal riverfront property somewhere in the vicinity of the Little Lakes or the Maitland Block, the perfect stone farmhouse on 14 acres of reclaimed cedar forest adjacent to the historic Ball’s Bridge came on the market. Elizabeth and husband, Scott Profit, jumped at the chance but before they even had a chance to move in, word came that an aggregates company had applied to expand a nearby gravel pit and the gauntlet was down. Elizabeth and a group of local property owners formed the Friends of Balls Bridge and the Little Lakes and dug in to oppose the threat to the historical bridge and ecologically sensitive natural area around it.
After moving in, van den Broeck was adamant that she was going to enjoy the property, and while the fight to preserve the neighborhood was a major component of her time, she also settled in to the farmhouse and began work on a little bunkie near the river that would become her refuge and a little nook in nature to inspire her creative soul. 
As a local artist and art gallery owner, Ball’s Bridge and the natural beauty that surrounds it has expressed itself in a variety of painting and creative outlets, including unique fundraisers along the banks like last year’s Art Hikes Light Open Mic or this year’s Light Up the Bridge. Visit her store on The Square in Goderich to see her beautiful creations inspired by the bridge and the river landscape, or purchase a Ball’s Bridge souvenir.
The little bunkie eventually became an opportunity for Elizabeth to share the property with others and the Bridge End Bunkie rental was opened for business. Now you can enjoy a rustic experience on the Maitland River right next to the beautiful bridge. The bunkie is dog friendly with a firepit, where you can sit and enjoy the river slowly glide past you as orioles cavort in the woods.
At the edge of the property, a small wooden footbridge leads into the forested area beside the Little Lakes Road with a quiet “No Trespassing Sign”, along with a phone number. The municipality has created a picnic area beside the bridge, and it has caused confusion as to where public boundaries lie. The municipal park ends just at the treeline and private property surrounds the entire area. While Elizabeth is happy to share the property, like anyone, she would like to know who is on her land and what they are doing and asks that anyone coming to enjoy the bridge, please respect the privacy of all adjacent landowners. While Ball’s Bridge is a municipally-owned bridge and roadway, the land around it is privately owned and trespassing is not permitted. If you would like to explore the forest, please call and get permission, or better yet, rent the bunkie and experience the property to its fullest.
Bridge End Bunkie, Auburn. https://elizabethsartgallery.ca/pages/bridge-end-bunkie or find the property on AirBnb or email elizabethsartgallery@outlook.com for more information.