Ganong Nature Park

Summer, 2006. Canadian Tire owner Dan LeRoux has once again stepped up to the plate. LeRoux has worked through Head office, the Canadian Tire Environmental Awards as well as the Canadian Tire Foundation For Families to support many endeavors throughout the St Stephen area over the last five years.

Ms. Reeder, who works for the St Croix Estuary Project (SCEP), and store owner Dan LeRoux as well as many staff including Susan Gayton and Darcey Scott have organized teams of Canadian Tire employees to come to the SCEP-owned site, Ganong Nature and Marine Park and plant various species of trees and shrubs on eroding banks, they also worked at the park building a garden shed and installing fencing.

Recently, when Mr.LeRoux heard about the Ganong Nature and Marine Parks development plans, he offered over $1000 in store credit to help with building the interpretive nodes. Ms. Reeder, who works with the St Croix Estuary Project explains, “throughout the Park there will be 10 interpretive nodes, they will focus on the natural and cultural history of the park and area. They'll be located to take advantage of excellent views and features on the property such as rock outcrops and freshwater streams. Some of these areas will double as resting spots and will be put to excellent use as teaching areas. We are very appreciative of this contribution, SCEP needs to raise to get this project accomplished.”

Kim Reeder, Environmental Program Coordinator

Alanna Baird's Musical Sculptures are ready for the Park

Foraging Musical Turtle

Foraging turtle with musical tongue and body
View the album here

Fabulous, resonating, unique .... these 5 original metal sculptures are really percussion instruments in their own right and are ready to be played by inventive musicians of all ages. Sculptures will be on display at the new Ganong Nature Park when it opens next spring.

This project was the brain-child of SCEP's Kim Reeder and supported by NB's Family and Youth Capital Assistance Program (YCAP). Peter Sherman collaborated with Allana on the work, and an Arts Branch Grant helped with the production.

GANONG PARK CLOSES AS CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Todd's Point, July 13, 2006

The Ganong Nature and Marine Park closed today as trucks and bulldozers arrived to begin turning a 5 year dream into reality.

In 2002, St. Croix Estuary Project Inc. (SCEP) successfully launched a fundraising campaign that led to the purchase of the 350 acre Todd's Point from the Estate of Whidden Ganong. As requested by Whidden, the property was immediately turned into a nature park and has been operating now for 4 years, serving up to 10,000 visitors annually. Each year summer guides have been available for events that have included, kids' camp, weddings, reunions, family gatherings, school visits, Duck Unlimited programs, and many more activities including the unique "Crop Circle Daze" that has been popular over the last 2 summers.

In 2003, SCEP commissioned a Development plan with support from Atlantic Canada Opportunities (ACOA) and Enterprise Charlotte. Basic Design Associates of Sussex prepared a document that has become the blueprint for the future of the Ganong Park. An application for financial support was submitted to ACOA and a grant of $1.288 million was received in January this year as the ACOA contribution to this development. SCEP is currently launching a fundraising campaign seeking an additional required match of $260,000.

The development plan includes construction of a serviced parking area that will accommodate over 30 cars as well as buse and a large multipurpose Park Centre Building that will have offices, a teaching laboratory, an outdoor entertainment and activities area, and a large spacious display area that will we used to inform visitors about local history, nature, and functional alternate enegy techniques incorporating solar energy, wind energy, and, perhaps, even tidal energy. The display area will double as a meeting space for groups seeking a different venue for their gatherings. A full kitchen will be used to service these groups and other users.

Old trails and grounds will be upgraded and groomed and new trails will be created including a marine walk on the interidal ocean bottom. Interpretive nodes will located at the Todd’s Horse Barn, overlooking St. Croix Island, at the John Smith Farm and Quarry Look-out, as well as on Auk Hill and at the old brick factory. Special ponds will be built that can be used as an outdoor area of relaxation and as a teaching tool. These include a Forest and Stream pond at Pagan's Cove and a tidal touch pool that will be located above high water and operated by a solar pump.

All of the Ganong Cottage buildings will be restored or renovated and there will be special displays and events associated with this cluster of buildings.

"We're very excited to have reached this point" Executive Director Art MacKay said. "It's been a long and sometimes frustrating road, but we are finally there. It's unfortunate that the Park must be closed for this season, but there are very real dangers associated with the construction and we are unable to take any risks. The lookout trail that starts at the public road, will remain open and we urge walkers to use that trail while we are building."

Mr MacKay noted that all regular Park events have been moved to Camp Waweig for the Season. For more information on progress at the Park and events at Camp Waweig, interested parties should go to the SCEP website at www.scep.org or call the St. Stephen Office at 506-467-9905.

Resources	Nature and History for People Join/Donate
This Week at the Park >The Commissioners report a relatively quiet week so far. > Southwest Cement and Construction was the lowest bidder for the parking lot work. The ground has been prepared and fill is arriving. > Contracts for the trails and fields have been awarded and work has begun. > Bids for the Ganong Cottage buildings are in and being reviewed. SCEP's new home at the Ganong Nature and Marine Park will be in the Fundy Learning Centre, a new building for offices, displays, and programs. More information. Camp Waweig was gifted to us in 2005. We've been busy fixin'n'doin'. More information. SCEP Website Testimonials Estuary Guide Park Development Plan Crop Circles Photos Sand Castles Photos Purchase a copy of Historian Doug Dougherty's new book and support the Ganong Nature Park. $14.95 each At the Crossroad A fascinating history of Todds Point and the Ganong Nature Park More information here.... Useful Links Bay of Fundy Directory	Canadian Tire Supports Ganong Nature and Marine Park Summer, 2006. Canadian Tire owner Dan LeRoux has once again stepped up to the plate. LeRoux has worked through Head office, the Canadian Tire Environmental Awards as well as the Canadian Tire Foundation For Families to support many endeavors throughout the St Stephen area over the last five years. Ms. Reeder, who works for the St Croix Estuary Project (SCEP), and store owner Dan LeRoux as well as many staff including Susan Gayton and Darcey Scott have organized teams of Canadian Tire employees to come to the SCEP-owned site, Ganong Nature and Marine Park and plant various species of trees and shrubs on eroding banks, they also worked at the park building a garden shed and installing fencing. Recently, when Mr.LeRoux heard about the Ganong Nature and Marine Parks development plans, he offered over $1000 in store credit to help with building the interpretive nodes. Ms. Reeder, who works with the St Croix Estuary Project explains, “throughout the Park there will be 10 interpretive nodes, they will focus on the natural and cultural history of the park and area. They'll be located to take advantage of excellent views and features on the property such as rock outcrops and freshwater streams. Some of these areas will double as resting spots and will be put to excellent use as teaching areas. We are very appreciative of this contribution, SCEP needs to raise to get this project accomplished.” Kim Reeder, Environmental Program Coordinator Alanna Baird's Musical Sculptures are ready for the Park Foraging turtle with musical tongue and body View the album here Fabulous, resonating, unique .... these 5 original metal sculptures are really percussion instruments in their own right and are ready to be played by inventive musicians of all ages. Sculptures will be on display at the new Ganong Nature Park when it opens next spring. This project was the brain-child of SCEP's Kim Reeder and supported by NB's Family and Youth Capital Assistance Program (YCAP). Peter Sherman collaborated with Allana on the work, and an Arts Branch Grant helped with the production. GANONG PARK CLOSES AS CONSTRUCTION BEGINS Todd's Point, July 13, 2006 The Ganong Nature and Marine Park closed today as trucks and bulldozers arrived to begin turning a 5 year dream into reality. In 2002, St. Croix Estuary Project Inc. (SCEP) successfully launched a fundraising campaign that led to the purchase of the 350 acre Todd's Point from the Estate of Whidden Ganong. As requested by Whidden, the property was immediately turned into a nature park and has been operating now for 4 years, serving up to 10,000 visitors annually. Each year summer guides have been available for events that have included, kids' camp, weddings, reunions, family gatherings, school visits, Duck Unlimited programs, and many more activities including the unique "Crop Circle Daze" that has been popular over the last 2 summers. In 2003, SCEP commissioned a Development plan with support from Atlantic Canada Opportunities (ACOA) and Enterprise Charlotte. Basic Design Associates of Sussex prepared a document that has become the blueprint for the future of the Ganong Park. An application for financial support was submitted to ACOA and a grant of $1.288 million was received in January this year as the ACOA contribution to this development. SCEP is currently launching a fundraising campaign seeking an additional required match of $260,000. The development plan includes construction of a serviced parking area that will accommodate over 30 cars as well as buse and a large multipurpose Park Centre Building that will have offices, a teaching laboratory, an outdoor entertainment and activities area, and a large spacious display area that will we used to inform visitors about local history, nature, and functional alternate enegy techniques incorporating solar energy, wind energy, and, perhaps, even tidal energy. The display area will double as a meeting space for groups seeking a different venue for their gatherings. A full kitchen will be used to service these groups and other users. Old trails and grounds will be upgraded and groomed and new trails will be created including a marine walk on the interidal ocean bottom. Interpretive nodes will located at the Todd’s Horse Barn, overlooking St. Croix Island, at the John Smith Farm and Quarry Look-out, as well as on Auk Hill and at the old brick factory. Special ponds will be built that can be used as an outdoor area of relaxation and as a teaching tool. These include a Forest and Stream pond at Pagan's Cove and a tidal touch pool that will be located above high water and operated by a solar pump. All of the Ganong Cottage buildings will be restored or renovated and there will be special displays and events associated with this cluster of buildings. "We're very excited to have reached this point" Executive Director Art MacKay said. "It's been a long and sometimes frustrating road, but we are finally there. It's unfortunate that the Park must be closed for this season, but there are very real dangers associated with the construction and we are unable to take any risks. The lookout trail that starts at the public road, will remain open and we urge walkers to use that trail while we are building." Mr MacKay noted that all regular Park events have been moved to Camp Waweig for the Season. For more information on progress at the Park and events at Camp Waweig, interested parties should go to the SCEP website at www.scep.org or call the St. Stephen Office at 506-467-9905.