Friends of Murphys Point Park

What a beautiful day at Murphys Point Provincial Park!

A huge thank you to our team of volunteers (Steph, Brian, Sam, Derek Z, Peter and Derek N) who took part in the Spring Adopt-a-Road event today! Several bags of garbage and recyclables were collected, along with an old tire, car battery, pieces of metal and more along the 3.5km of County Road 21 that passes through the park (that’s 7km when you’re walking each side!). Thanks also to Superintendent Curtis Thompson and Assistant Superintendent Mark Read who kept the crew safe with vehicles in front and behind.

Our 30th Annual General Meeting followed this event, and even more Friends joined us to hear about our 2024 activities and to elect this year’s directors. Congratulations to three directors who are taking on two-year terms (Derek N, Tara and Brian), and to Steph who was elected to fill a one-year vacancy. They join Peter and Derek Z, who are completing their two year terms.

We look forward to all sorts of activities as we celebrate 30 years of the Friends this year. Stay tuned!

Please mark your calendars for Sunday, April 27, 2025 when we will meet at the Lally Homestead, Murphys Point Provincial Park, for our 30^th Annual General Meeting!

We have two activities planned for that day, and you are welcome to take part in one or both of them. At 10 a.m., starting from the Lally Homestead Parking Lot, we are hosting our Spring 2025 Lanark County Adopt-a-Road Event for the second year. For this, volunteers help to pick up litter and recyclables along the stretch of County Road 21 (Lally Road) that passes through the Park – from just before the main entrance through to the Group Camping area. This involves about 7 kilometres of walking and takes about two hours. Volunteers will receive a light lunch at the Homestead when we finish. A waiver is needed for this activity. Please let us know if you will be taking part, and see links to the waiver and more details at https://friendsofmurphyspoint.ca/2025/04/05/please-join-us-for-the-spring-2025-adopt-a-road-event/

At 12:30 p.m. in the Homestead, the Annual General Meeting will begin! This short (approximately half an hour) business meeting summarizes last year’s activities and includes the election of directors. Paid-up members have a vote at the AGM. If you haven’t had a chance to renew (or would like to join), memberships are only $10. They can be renewed by sending an e-transfer to friendsofmurphyspointpark@yahoo.ca (please indicate your name and contact information in the e-mail). Donated amounts over the $10 membership fee will receive a tax receipt. Please encourage a friend to become a Friend or consider making a donation.

If you want to learn more about a director position, please e-mail us and we can fill you in. It’s a great way to get involved with special projects and to connect with others who love the park.

The AGM package has been sent to members and copies will be available at the meeting. We hope you’ll join us on April 27 for one or both events!

Hello Friends (and Park Neighbours)!

Spring has sprung, which means it’s time for the Spring edition of the Lanark County Adopt-a-Road program with the Friends of Murphys Point Park! This is a great way to help keep Murphys Point and the neighbourhood beautiful, and we are seeking volunteers to help pick up litter and recyclables along the stretch of County Road 21 (Lally Road) that passes through the Park – from just before the main entrance through to the Group Camping area.

The event is slated to take place on Sunday, April 27 starting at 10 a.m. from the Lally Homestead Parking Lot. We do each side of the road, which is about 7 kilometres of walking in total, and it usually takes about two hours.

Park staff will be on hand to assist, and safety equipment will be available. Volunteers must sign a waiver for the County in order to participate. Please note, if you participated with us last year, you don’t need to sign the waiver again – it remains valid for the duration of the program. Here is a link to the waiver: https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/roads-trails-and-transit/resources/Documents/Indemnity-Requirements.pdf

For your reference prior to signing the waiver, please have a look at:

• County agreement information (https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/roads-trails-and-transit/resources/Documents/Adopt-A-Road-Agreement-Form-Fillable.pdf)
• Terms and Conditions (https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/roads-trails-and-transit/resources/Documents/Adopt-A-Road-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf)

If you would like to help, please complete and return the waiver to us at friendsofmurphyspointpark@yahoo.ca by 4 p.m. on April 24 so that we can forward it to the County. Volunteers will receive safety instructions prior to the pick up, including information about ticks. Sturdy shoes/boots and long socks that you can tuck your pants into are recommended. Equipment will be provided.

A light lunch will be served at the Lally Homestead for volunteers following the pick-up. We are also hosting our Annual General Meeting that day at the Homestead at 12:30 p.m. It is a brief meeting (usually about half an hour) and we hope you will join us to hear about Friends’ activities! (If you can’t participate in Adopt-a-Road but would like to attend the AGM, please join us at 12:30 p.m. More info will be posted about the AGM soon!)

We hope to see you on April 27!