The building was funded by G8 money, when folks were planning on visiting Huntsville. That's a whole other post! What Did the G8 Mean to Muskoka?
Showing posts with label ontario parks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ontario parks. Show all posts
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Ontario Parks Circle of Friends Conference
Held in the Waterloo Summit Centre, which has some accommodations between semesters, it was a meeting of the Circle of Friends of Ontario Parks. These groups are funded, many by tax dollars and Trillium grants, as well as donations, to encourage visitors to parks.
The building was funded by G8 money, when folks were planning on visiting Huntsville. That's a whole other post! What Did the G8 Mean to Muskoka?
The building was funded by G8 money, when folks were planning on visiting Huntsville. That's a whole other post! What Did the G8 Mean to Muskoka?
Circle Of Friends of Ontario Parks: Navigational Map
I find it difficult, sometimes, doing hospice volunteering. It is emotional and demanding.
I had other volunteer work: I volunteered as Treasurer with Friends of Murphys Point Park. I found it onerous, I wasn't treated as a volunteer, but more as an employee. I was treasurer and I didn't agree with the way the money was being spent and spent time hitting my head against the wall. Since I do not even get mileage for my hospice work, due to cutbacks, I found it frustrating see where the money was going.
Friends are volunteers, who are elected in annual meetings, to supervise the spending of donation monies in parks. As with many groups, it is difficult to find volunteers to sit on a board. It is often time consuming, and provides little reward, as typically, you are not permitted to benefit financially from such 'work.' They are non-profits, who can manage up to millions of dollars (as with Friends of Algonquin Park) in donations and taxpayer grants.
Our provincial parks have a Circle of Friends to assist the parks in marketing, supporting local arts groups, and improving infrastructure, by snagging the big bucks from taxpayer grants. It seems wrong to me, since we do not control who gets the funding. Some Friends groups have enough donations, like Algonquin Park, from moneyed families to hire an executive director. They are also able to apply for these grants, since the process is complex, requires much paperwork, and time, which doesn't seem fair. There is no way to determine who deserves a grant, as opposed to who has the time to apply for one.
Ontario Parks determines which parks need new roofs or other capital grants, but Friends groups can also apply for funding, through the Ontario government, to assist their work. I am not sure if this is fair or not. You'd think Ontario Parks should be objective, understand the cut backs in taxpayer funding, balance out funding, which parks they need to close, and respond to the politicians elected to make these decisions. Yet, it is the civil servants who determine who gets a grant and they are not duly elected nor objective.
Here is a skill I'd forgotten I had mastered: an active map. Click on the green tree to visit the Friends website!
Today's challenge! Here are the alphabetical links to the Friends groups:
I had other volunteer work: I volunteered as Treasurer with Friends of Murphys Point Park. I found it onerous, I wasn't treated as a volunteer, but more as an employee. I was treasurer and I didn't agree with the way the money was being spent and spent time hitting my head against the wall. Since I do not even get mileage for my hospice work, due to cutbacks, I found it frustrating see where the money was going.
Friends are volunteers, who are elected in annual meetings, to supervise the spending of donation monies in parks. As with many groups, it is difficult to find volunteers to sit on a board. It is often time consuming, and provides little reward, as typically, you are not permitted to benefit financially from such 'work.' They are non-profits, who can manage up to millions of dollars (as with Friends of Algonquin Park) in donations and taxpayer grants.
Our provincial parks have a Circle of Friends to assist the parks in marketing, supporting local arts groups, and improving infrastructure, by snagging the big bucks from taxpayer grants. It seems wrong to me, since we do not control who gets the funding. Some Friends groups have enough donations, like Algonquin Park, from moneyed families to hire an executive director. They are also able to apply for these grants, since the process is complex, requires much paperwork, and time, which doesn't seem fair. There is no way to determine who deserves a grant, as opposed to who has the time to apply for one.
Ontario Parks determines which parks need new roofs or other capital grants, but Friends groups can also apply for funding, through the Ontario government, to assist their work. I am not sure if this is fair or not. You'd think Ontario Parks should be objective, understand the cut backs in taxpayer funding, balance out funding, which parks they need to close, and respond to the politicians elected to make these decisions. Yet, it is the civil servants who determine who gets a grant and they are not duly elected nor objective.
Here is a skill I'd forgotten I had mastered: an active map. Click on the green tree to visit the Friends website!
Today's challenge! Here are the alphabetical links to the Friends groups:
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Lally Homestead Day at Murphys Point Park
Beautiful old buildings that have sat here for many, many years. I volunteered here today at the Mica Festival Lally Homestead Day. For all of my photos, click here. These are activities that are part of the Mica Festival.
The Lally family were fine examples of the early pioneers who developed this area.
Park interpreter, Tobi Kieswalter gives guided tours of the Mica Mine.
If you open the phone book, you will find many listings for Lally! It is no wonder, as James Lally and his wife (I wonder her name!) raised nine children in this small log homestead.
They were farmers in a land of shallow soil in rocky Lanark County. This is the reason why the early pioneers created those fabulous free standing-style fences.
The Lally family were fine examples of the early pioneers who developed this area.
Park interpreter, Tobi Kieswalter gives guided tours of the Mica Mine.
| From Lally Homestead Day |
 |
| Cedar rail fences that still stand in the area. |
They were farmers in a land of shallow soil in rocky Lanark County. This is the reason why the early pioneers created those fabulous free standing-style fences.
It is important to know where you have come from to understand where you are and where you have to go.
Yes, it was Lally Homestead Day. The Lally farm was bought up for the park.
I want to do some research about the Lally Homestead, I haven't had time!
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Grampa helped plan a picnic at the beach
 |
| Happy girl! |
 |
| Ontario Parks - a back pack of beach fun - nothing better. (A gift from Grampa!) |
Grampa went into town early and picked us up buns and lunch meat. Gramma made sandwiches.
There were surprises in the bag. Chocolate milk was a big treat!
We love visiting our provincial park.
Lots to see and do.
The park interpreters do a fine job, too.
We learned about an invasive species, the Rusty Crayfish, from Brock, one of our student employees. Friends of Murphys Point Park receive government grants in Student Employment Opportunities. Most are entering university as biologists, or related fields. It is important that we nurture these young scientists. My daughter, M.Sc., is a hydrogeologist.
I always like to learn something new, being an avid science teacher (JK - Gr. 6) in my previous life, I realize how much there is to learn!
The kids still talk about touching Nameless Ratsnake in the park Visitor Centre.
Isabelle (2) loves to pretend to find a snake, (a piece of black ribbon?) and pretend to be scared. But she remembers touching the snake, as does big sister, Josephine.
My daughter sent the photos to their Day Care provider, who doesn't like snakes! All it is - is education!
Meantime, back to our day:
The beaches are clean and well-groomed in our park. We had a grand time splashing. Nice, safe, buoys to keep the kids in close. However, Isabelle kept falling, and walking out deeper. "Me deep!"
Isabelle's story: Grampa bought me some chocolate milk for our picnic at Murphys Point Park Beach. I couldn't put it down. I love my Grampa! He spoils me!
We love visiting our provincial park.
Lots to see and do.
The park interpreters do a fine job, too.
 |
| Brock educates our young people! |
 |
| Rusty Crayfish -invasive species in ON |
I always like to learn something new, being an avid science teacher (JK - Gr. 6) in my previous life, I realize how much there is to learn!
 |
| My girls! |
Isabelle (2) loves to pretend to find a snake, (a piece of black ribbon?) and pretend to be scared. But she remembers touching the snake, as does big sister, Josephine.
My daughter sent the photos to their Day Care provider, who doesn't like snakes! All it is - is education!
Meantime, back to our day:
The beaches are clean and well-groomed in our park. We had a grand time splashing. Nice, safe, buoys to keep the kids in close. However, Isabelle kept falling, and walking out deeper. "Me deep!"
 |
| Another happy girl! This was the place to be today. |
 |
| Picnic lunch! |
 |
| Isabelle Coccinelle and a Beach bunny! |
Isabelle's story: Grampa bought me some chocolate milk for our picnic at Murphys Point Park Beach. I couldn't put it down. I love my Grampa! He spoils me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)