Submitted by Friends of Bruce District Parks
Owing to the Covid 19 pandemic, the Friends of Bruce District Parks has had to curtail most of its activities during the past two years. This is not to say that we have been idle, just that events involving large groups have been severely restricted or cancelled.
For example, as the Light Station on Flowerpot Island was closed much of the time, we took advantage of the lack of visitors to give the properties a major facelift, largely thanks to volunteers. We removed and took off the old bevel wood siding which always needed to be painted. We found an identical profile match, made of steel with a maintenance free and lifetime warranty on the paint. While doing this we replaced all the old windows with red vinyl to complete the same look as the house had historically.
We also undertook re-seeding the lawns with a high traffic grass seed to complete the project.
The Friends continued maintenance of Big Tub Light, repairing damage done in the winter storm a year ago and reinforcing the first few layers of shakes. Last summer we installed five new full-colour interpretive signs around Little Tub Harbour to help educate our visitors about our community and the National Parks.
For several years the Friends, in conjunction with Parks Canada and the Friends of the Library, have sponsored first-run movies at the Park’s Visitor Centre. This has been a bit on-and-off, owing to government restrictions, but we plan to have a full schedule of shows ready for next winter. Likewise the Orchid Festival held in conjunction with the Park has had to be a Zoom affair – but we are optimistic we can revert to the real thing soon, complete with field trips.
Other events we hope to revive include the Flowerpot Island Fun Run and the Snowshoe Hike early next winter. And we’re really looking forward to reinstating our Annual BBQ, held for our members at the Annual General Meeting in the Fall.
Membership (just $15 a person or $25 a family) entitles one to apply to act as a Host and stay at the Light Station on Flowerpot – another experience sponsored by the Friends that has had people coming back time and again.
If you enjoy our two National Parks and want to support their activities, there are a number of opportunities to get involved. Take a look at our website at https://www.friendsofthebruce.ca.
