Friends of Murphys Point Park

SKIP: Get Ready for a Pond Study!

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Friends of Murphys Point

Spring brings all sorts of wonderful things, and you’re invited to explore some of them at Murphys Point Provincial Park on Sunday, April 28!

The last in the current series of Super Kids In Parks programs features a pond study. Bring your rubber boots and get set to talk a frog walk.

SKIP is an outdoor learning program hosted by the Friends of Murphys Point Park that aims to help kids ages 7 to 10 connect with nature through a range of activities that promote active and healthy living.

While the activity is geared towards 7- to 10-year olds, the whole family can get involved.

“We’re going to walk into the park from the main road and check out some of the vernal, or spring, pools along the way to the Park Store area,” explained Senior Park Naturalist Tobi Kiesewalter, who will be leading the program. “Hopefully we will hear or even see some breeding frogs. Then we’ll settle in along the shore of Loon Lake behind the store and see what we can catch with a few dip nets.”

The program is slated to take place from 1 to 3 p.m. starting from the main park entrance at 2243 Elm Grove Road. Participants should dress for the weather and be sure to wear rubber boots.

Space is limited, so pre-registration is preferred (click here for info about fees and registration). Children ages 7 to 10 can be dropped off (with a signed permission form) for the program or families can take part. Space permitting, registrations may be accepted at the door.

The program is rain or shine, but if it must be cancelled due to severe weather a message will be posted here 10 a.m. on April 28.

Hope to see you there!

Posted in Friends of Murphys Point, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, SKIP, Super Kids In Parks | Tagged Friends of Murphys Point Park, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, SKIP, Super Kids In Parks, tay valley township | Leave a comment

Join the Friends for a Geology Tour at AGM

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Friends of Murphys Point

Did you know there is a veritable treasure trove of geological wonders right in downtown Perth? Learn all about it with the Friends of Murphys Point on Sunday, April 21.

Check out the Perth Museum (11 Gore St. E.), between 4 and 5 p.m., where you can explore the new geology display featuring specimens from the collection of renowned amateur geologist Dr. James Wilson, from the mid-1800s. Dr. Wilson is credited with discovering Perthite and Wilsonite. You can also see the beautiful jewellery creations of local artisan Stephen Clark.

Following a brief annual general meeting for the Friends of Murphys Point at 5 p.m., the geology tour continues with a walkabout to the Crystal Palace/Tay Basin with Dr. Allan Donaldson, a retired professor of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, and chair of Friends of Canadian Geoheritage.

Dr. Donaldson will introduce you to an outdoor geology museum with his tour called “The Geological Landscape of Perth, Canada.” His presentation promotes the Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization’s self-guided tour of Civitan Court at the Crystal Palace, called “Introduction to the Geodiversity of Perth.” Examine the landscaping and rock specimens at the Crystal Palace and learn about the relationship between the people who settled this area and the local geology that influenced their lives. In the event of bad weather, Dr. Donaldson will present a slide show and samples at the museum.

“Geology plays such an important role in the interpretation programs at Murphys Point that we thought this would be a fitting tribute to this aspect of natural and cultural history,” said Cindy Deachman, Friends president. “It’s also a great chance for people to come and learn something about the Friends and our programs while experiencing a neat feature in downtown Perth.”

The Friends formed as a registered charity in 1995 and offers many and varied programs that are managed by a volunteer Board of Directors representative of the community. Programming is developed and carried out by dedicated volunteers on a year-round basis to meet the organization’s mandate to enhance the natural and cultural resources of Murphys Point Provincial Park, just 20 minutes from downtown Perth.

Members and non-members are welcome to attend. Memberships will be available prior to the meeting (and online) for those interested. The event is free, but donations are welcome.

“Part of the AGM will include an election of directors and an overview of some of our interesting volunteer opportunities,” Ms. Deachman added. “Anyone who is interested in learning more about being a director or volunteer is encouraged to contact us.”

For more information about the Friends, peruse this website, contact Cindy Deachman at 613-267-5385 or e-mail friendsofmurphyspointpark@yahoo.ca.

Posted in Friends of Murphys Point, Geology, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park, Volunteer | Tagged AGM, Friends of Murphys Point Park, Murphys Point, Murphys Point events, Murphys Point Provincial Park | Leave a comment

Super Kids In Parks Build an Awesome Quinzhee!

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Friends of Murphys Point

Once again we had beautiful weather for our latest Super Kids In Parks session at Murphys Point! This week we set out to learn how to safely build campfires, do some outdoor cooking and build a quinzhee. Thanks, Mother Nature, for that great dump of snow earlier in the week to make our program perfect!

Interpreter extraordinaire Alida Lemieux started us off with her expertise in fire building – demonstrating different techniques and emphasizing safe practices.

Alida making sparks with a magnesium stick.

Next we broke into two groups, switching partway through so everyone could try things out. The girls started off worked on building the cooking fire, and everyone had a chance to try Alida’s nifty magnesium stick, which made sparks to set the tinder alight.

Trying it with matches, too!

Building the cooking fire.

Meanwhile the boys set off with volunteer Phill Brackenbury, who had spent the morning making a big snow pile and allowing it to settle so that we could hollow it out. The kids placed flags in the back wall that were about 30 centimetres long, so they knew when they dug in and hit the sticks they’d gone far enough.

Opening up the door of the quinzhee.

Hello in there!

Digging out the entrance.

Everyone took turns at the various activities, and soon we had a toasty fire ready for cooking! A contingent worked together to assemble the ingredients for maple popcorn, which cooked perfectly and was a tasty treat to go with hot chocolate.

Food and shelter.

Assembling the maple popcorn.

Taste test!

Digging into…popcorn!

We successfully completed a cosy quinzhee, complete with a couple of carved “bunks” and a ventilation hole. Grown-ups even tried it out!

From inside the quinzhee.

Bunk mates!

Thanks to everyone who participated and to all of our volunteers for another fantastic afternoon: Alida, Phill, Dave Kent, Lynn McFarlane, Judy Buehler, Pat Batchelor, Linda McLaren and Stephanie Gray.

The last program in the winter/spring series is a Pond Study set for Sunday, April 28. Watch this space for details. Registration information will be posted on the SKIP page soon.