The committee that has taken on the challenge of resurrecting the Roche Percee Park has called a work bee for this weekend, May 5 and 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"We want to get the park in good condition for a May long-weekend opening," said Lori Dunford, who along with Rick Farstad, co-chairs the park committee board of directors.
The park is already in surprisingly decent condition in spite of the ravages of last summer's flooding events, but there is still some work to be completed to make it ready for visitors, Dunford said.
"We hope to have some parking/camping stalls ready in time and there is lots of room for RV parking and tenting," she said.
"We're providing an incentive in an effort to attract some additional volunteers, like a free weekend of camping through a priority list," she added.
"We had a very positive leader before in Mary Rose Boyer who died just recently and I know she would have wanted to see this park succeed, so we're going to see that it does," Dunford said.
The committee has received some provincial disaster assistance funding which will go a long way toward repairing the road that leads to the park off Highway 39 south.
"A RV waste dump station will be installed this year. We've received a $10,000 provincial grant for that project and we intend to have Porta-Potties on site this spring and summer and we expect to tie-in some permanent washroom facilities later in the year. That is one of our goals for this year."
Dunford went on to say that the picnic tables that were saved from the floods last year will soon be placed in the park.
"Because the flood waters actually cleared out a lot of debris, we've opened up a few additional spots that will be cleaned up now and offered to the public. We should have 13 camping spots ready for the long weekend," she said. That's over and above the RV spaces and tenting area.
"We don't have power to any of the locations yet, but we'll be doing some fundraising later this year to address that need. Right now we're anxious to get it open for a new season because last year camping and recreational events in our parks were pretty much a lost cause," Dunford said.
The committee has obtained a long-term, five-year lease on the property, which means they can pretty well be assured that as long as the committee moves the project forward, the park will retain official status and be a community attraction for a long time to come.
Volunteers who are willing to bring some heavy equipment to help ease the workload and wish to donate it to the cause for a day or two, are reminded that tax receipts for this work-in-kind can be issued by the park authority. Any trucks or utility trailers will be welcomed and volunteers are asked to bring work gloves, safe footwear and safety goggles. Hand tools such as chain saws, weed whips, trimmers and mowers are welcomed as is mosquito repellent and some enthusiasm.
Some lawn chairs will also be welcomed as volunteers will need to take occasional breaks if they intend to contribute more than an hour or two to the cause.
Access to the park is gained by turning left off Highway 39 as you travel south to North Portal. Make the turn after the river/bridge but before the train tracks in the first valley. Then turn left again at the yellow gate into the park. Watch for directional signs and balloons.
More information regarding the work bee may be obtained by contacting Dunford at 634-7002 or Farstad at 634-8102.
