Photo: The members of Cobden Scout Group who attended Whitewater Region council meeting are, front row from left, James Jackson, Stacey Russell, Cherilyn Yon-Grant, Susan Goldsmith and Garett Davis. Back row from left, Sheldon Thoms, Lauren Thoms, Cameron Yon-Vachon, Emerson Davis and Sarah Jessup.
By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The youth involved in the First Cobden Scouting group received permission from Whitewater Region council to adopt Veterans Memorial Park.
Several members of the group, including leaders, attended the April 5 council meeting to explain what they want to do if they are granted permission to adopt the park.
Leader Stacey Russell told council the pack is applying for two grants, one which is for Adopt-A-Park. She noted there are 20 grants available throughout Canada worth about $500 to $800 each. The idea is to promote stewardship, community service and allow the group to work with its sponsor, the Cobden and District Civitan Club, which watches over the park on behalf of council.
Ms. Russell said the scout group is looking at doing three projects: creating butterfly and pollinator gardens with native species; making duck boxes, which don’t attract geese; and setting out trash cans for people to use.
There will be informational signage for each of the projects so people know what’s in the gardens; what the duck boxes will do; and ensure the park remains clean. She noted because there are people at the park and beach areas, there will be food … where there’s scraps of food there are seagulls, which make a mess.
By setting out garbage cans, they are hoping to encourage people to take care of their community, she said.
Scout Cameron Yon-Vachon said, “We hope you will consider our request to adopt Veterans Memorial Park. Thank you for listening to our presentation.”
It was suggested that the scout group could also look at working along the walking trail through the marsh.
Reeve Terry Millar said, “I commend you on this idea. I really like the idea. I like the trash cans. I hope they are colurful, bright and flashy. Great thing for the area and for park. I fully support it.”
Mayor Hal Johnson agreed with the reeve, noting he was surprised to hear the scouts wanted to take on this project, and is happy to have them involved with the park.
He further noted that other walking trails could also benefit from the scouts’ work, which in turn would benefit the community.
Mayor Johnson noted that if a letter of support was required for the grants, he would write one on township letterhead.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said the new community services manager Jordan Durocher will work with the scout group in any way he could.
Civitans Propose Work
at the Park
Civitan John Felix Cull, who is the liaison person between the scout group and the Civitan club, said along with working with the scouts on their projects, there are a couple of projects the Civitans are also working on.
There has been discussion of planting trees in memory of deceased Civitan members. He noted the trees in the park had a hard winter and there’s hope with this project young trees will be planted. He suggested the scouts could learn how to plant trees, noting the ones to be planted will be about 10 feet tall.
He noted a tree was planted in memory of deceased member George Hooper a few years ago and it’s doing quite well.
In discussions with the scouts the past couple of weeks, we are hoping to move forward with ideas in park with permission from council.
Mr. Cull further noted the club is hoping to brush out the undergrowth between the park and lake, as there have been complaints from tourists they can’t see the lake. This could be done in conjunction with the spring clean-up for the park, which is an annual event. The brush would be chipped and spread in the flower beds, around the trees and back onto the slope down to the lake, which would help stop the undergrowth from taking over the sight-line to the lake.
One other project that could also be accomplished is setting up the playground equipment. The equipment has been in storage for many years and the project has “just gotten sandbagged over the years,” he said.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin suggested public works staff could chip the brush during clean-up, not only for safety reasons but for insurance purposes.
However, Mr. Cull advised the idea is for the community to volunteer their time, not have paid employees do the work. If the work is more than the volunteers can handle, then possibly the township staff could assist.
The Civitans received permission to go ahead, and if required, township staff could help when necessary.
