Volunteer Opportunities are Fun and Rewarding!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by

The Friends of Murphys Point Park depends on volunteers to carry out our many natural history and cultural programs as well as assist in developing new outreach and educational activities. Becoming involved as a volunteer is a great way to meet new people with similar interests as well as contribute to the success of the Friends.

Some of the opportunities include helping with the SKIP or Archaeo-Apprentice programs for children and youth,  planning special events, community outreach and displays, fundraising, helping with BBQs and pancake breakfasts at the park,  and communications. We are also looking for skills in social media and communications. In addition, there are vacancies to be filled on our Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting coming up in April 2012.  Some of the many other events in the planning stages for 2012 include a display at the Festival of the Maples, a spring Bird Count at the park, the summer Heritage Mica Festival and a huge fundraising yard sale.

If you are interested in any of these or other volunteer opportunities, please review our Volunteer Policies and Procedures and complete and return a Volunteer Registration Form.   If you have any specific questions, please contact us at eventsmurphys@ripnet.com. High school students can earn community service hours by volunteering with the Friends.

Posted in Archaeo Apprentice, SKIP, Volunteer

Park’s Management Plan Process Begins

Posted on January 26, 2012 by

Ontario Parks (Ministry of Natural Resources) invites you to participate in management planning for Murphys Point Provincial Park.

 The attached notice describes the stages of the planning process, starting with a 45-day comment period which ends on Monday, March 12, 2012.  Responses to this Invitation to Participate will be used to update our mailing list of individuals, groups, and businesses that wish to be involved in the management planning process.

 Notices of the various stages of the planning process, including the Invitation to Participate, will be posted on the Environmental Registry of the Environmental Bill of Rights at the following web address (EBR Registry Number 011-5558):
www.ebr.gov.on.ca

The notice and Terms of Reference may be viewed at the Ontario Parks’ website at: http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/murp_planning.html

For further information or to submit comments please contact:
Curtis Thompson
Park Superintendent
Murphys Point Provincial Park
2243 Elmgrove Road, Perth, ONT. K7H 3C7
Telephone: (613) 267-5060
Fax: (613) 267-1741
Email: curtis.thompson@ontario.ca

Posted in Murphys Point, Murphys Point Provincial Park

Changes to the Friends’ Membership “Year”

Posted on January 23, 2012 by


At a general meeting of members held on January 5th, the Friends of Murphys Point Park passed a Bylaw Amendment concerning the timing of the membership year. As a result, memberships will now run from April 1 to March 31 each year, with all memberships due as of April 1 annually. New members joining after October 1st in any year will receive memberships extending until March 31 of the subsequent member year.

New membership incentives are also in place until March 31, 2012 – check the Memberships Tab!

We will be contacting existing members over the next month with details about your renewal date and upcoming programs of the Friends. Recognizing that mailing addresses, emails and phone numbers change over time, we also will ensure we have all your current contact information on file.

Call our membership secretary, Linda, at 613-267-4761 for a membership brochure or visit the Memberships Tab of this website to join the Friends and pay online. Many thanks to our new partner, Images Inter Alia of Perth, for donating the design of the new membership brochure!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged

Park to be Featured at Historical Society Meeting

Posted on January 13, 2012 by

Here are some more details about the Perth Historical Society meeting on Jan. 18 that will feature our own Tobi Kiesewalter as the guest speaker. Everyone is welcome! The PHS meetings are open to the public and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the gallery of Matheson House, home of the Perth Museum, at 11 Gore Street East in downtown Perth. A voluntary “Toonie Fee” (donation) is suggested for each meeting. Click here for more info about the organization.
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The Society launches a new year of interesting and educational events with the Jan. 18 meeting presentation by Tobi Kiesewalter on the many stories of the unique Murphys Point Provincial Park.  Tobi manages the interpretative program at this 1,244-hectare local cultural gem in eastern Ontario’s Tay Valley Township, and is the Park’s natural heritage education leader.  He is a biologist with an environmental science degree, specializing in ecology, and has worked in the Park for 15 years. 
 
Tobi’s talk will cover a range of subjects related to the Park’s cultural heritage features and the challenges in presenting its history and of keeping it relevant for today’s audiences.  In recent years, a number of innovative, educational programs have been put in place, many in cooperation with the active community group, Friends of Murphys Point Park, on this geologically and historically unique area of eastern Ontario.  These have included interpretative programs for visitors on the Park’s two restored pioneer homesteads and on mining activities in the area, focusing on the Silver Queen Mica Mine – one of Lanark County’s Seven Wonders.  The Park’s history has been depicted through such activities as the annual Mica Festival, guided tours of the mine, and a popular annual archaeology dig for local children.

Murphys Point Provincial Park is also known for its natural environment, including its location on the majestic Rideau Canal system and the Frontenac Arch, with its varied flora and fauna – to which public access is provided by five hiking and groomed ski trails.  Preservation of the ecological systems and cultural heritage resources is an important aspect of the Park’s educational features and its operations. 

Fans of history, nature, archaeology, and much more will find something of interest in this Jan. 18 event – don’t forget to mark your calendar.

Posted in Archaeo Apprentice, Friends of Murphys Point, Geology, Heritage, Heritage Mica Festival, Lally, Lally Homestead, Mica Festival, mica mine, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, Silver Queen Mine | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Archaeology to be Featured at PHS Meeting

Posted on December 30, 2011 by

Want to learn more about archaeology at Murphys Point? The Perth Historical Society will be featuring our own Tobi Kiesewalter, the Park’s Natural History Education Leader, at its meeting on January 18. Tobi will be talking about “The History and Archaeology of Murphys Point Park.” Its age, geology, natural resources and historical development – and now considerable community involvement – have produced many stories about the park for a range of interests.

The PHS meetings are open to the public and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the gallery of Matheson House, home of the Perth Museum, at 11 Gore Street East in downtown Perth. A voluntary “Toonie Fee” (donation) is suggested for each meeting. Click here for more info about the organization.

Posted in Archaeo Apprentice, Friends of Murphys Point, Heritage, Murphys Point, Murphys Point Provincial Park | Tagged , , , ,

Heritage Mica Festival Returns for 2012

Posted on December 15, 2011 by

Lantern Display at Mine

Work is underway for the planning of the 2012 Heritage Mica Festival. Once again we will be featuring the Silver Queen Mine, one of the Seven Wonders of Lanark County, in many of the festival activities. In order to make it easier for you to enjoy all the festivities, we have scheduled events to run throughout the summer and into the fall months. Join us for Spirit Walks and open house mine tours, meet character actors and interpreters and learn about life in this area in the early 1900′s. Meet Ma Lally at the Lally Homestead and take part in the local market. The festival will once again include heritage food and heritage music to entertain all ages. Details will be posted regularly on the Heritage Mica Festival page of this website. If you plan to camp, remember to book your campsite early so you are not disappointed.

Posted in Friends of Murphys Point, Heritage Mica Festival, Lally, Lally Homestead, Mica Festival, mica mine, Murphys Point events, Silver Queen Mine | Tagged , , ,

Canoe Raffle Winner!

Posted on October 15, 2011 by

Congratulations once again to Craig Halpenny of Perth, who won our annual canoe raffle! Proceeds go towards Friends natural heritage education programs. Below, from left, are Park Superintendent Curtis Thompson; Friends Directors Cindy Deachman, Stephanie Gray, Cathy Lamport and Judy Fletcher; Craig Halpenny; and Director Jane Irwin.

A huge thank you to all who supported the raffle, Park staff who worked hard to sell tickets, Scott Canoe for donating the fabulous canoe and Canadian Tire (Perth) for donating the PFDs and paddles.

Posted in Uncategorized