Fran & Ed In 1987 Superintendent Ed Buck approached the Cloyne Pioneer Club to request that they consider forming a Friends group for Bon Echo. The early minutes of the Friends, under the chair of Fran Sowden, feature a group eager to set up this new organization. Under the leadership of Directors Fiona Schmiegelow, Natural Heritage Education (NHE) Coordinator and Gary Sharman, Assistant Park Superintendent, they established by-laws, gained incorporation and charitable status and selected the Nanabush logo and corporate colours of ochre and buff. A ceremony was held on September 26th, 1988 at the Visitor Centre for the signing of the official agreement between the Friends and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Bon Echo Provincial Park is rich in both natural and cultural heritage. Over 200,000 visitors are attracted annually to experience the diversity of its flora and fauna, the pristine beaches and waterfronts, the grandeur of the stately eastern white pines, the majestic presence of Mazinaw Rock with its geological history, protected plants and animals, and the pictographs left by earlier peoples. The Friends have been persistent in seeking new ways to encourage an understanding of this natural and cultural heritage. Every activity in which they engage serves to fulfill this mission.

captains The Friends have successfully initiated and carried out many enterprising projects to fulfill their mission. Operation of two tour boats presented an excellent opportunity to provide an educational and picturesque experience to Park visitors and to raise funds at the same time. The Friends took over operation of the Mugwump ferry service in 1989. Many volunteers were engaged to provide this valuable service as captains, deckhands and later as interpreters. Friends’ captains provided dedicated service for eighteen years until new government regulations precluded further use of volunteers.

In 1990 the Friends commenced operation of the Wanderer Too, providing a one hour interpretive boat tour alongside the face of the Mazinaw Rock. Ten years later the Friends financed the launching of a new Wanderer Too’r to replace the aging Wanderer Too. The two boats currently provide interpretive excursions for over 16,000 visitors each summer. As another way to allow visitors to approach Mazinaw Rock,for several years the Friends operated the canoe concession with two local business partners.

The Friends opened a gift shop in Dollywood Visitor Centre in 1988. Greystones Gift and Book Shop began operations in its present location in 1990 under Manager Carol Morrow. The Art Gallery was added in 1996 displaying original art of Canadian nature and wildlife. In 2007 the Friends named the gallery the Colin Edwards Memorial Art Gallery in recognition of Colin’s longtime service as Director, volunteer and artist. Most merchandise sold in Greystones relates to nature and Canadiana. In 2007 the Friends made major renovations to Greystones by strengthening the structure and increasing the store area while maintaining the historic ambiance of the cottage. The store is under the direction of Operations Manager Helen Yanch and staffed by students and volunteers.
The Friends engaged Wendy Elliott as their first Executive Director in 1995. The organization was growing and there was a need for structure, coordination and liaison with the Park, the volunteers and the public. The large number of programs and volunteers requires a focal person to provide coordination and leadership and to carry out the decisions of the Board of Directors. Several Executive Directors followed with the most recent being involved with the Friends for eight years.

A strong component of the Friends’ work is devoted to education relating to the Park’s heritage. The Friends have published two books under the editorship of Friends member Dr. Stan McMullin: Massanoga:The Art of Bon Echo (1999) and The Rock: Bon Echo Provincial Park’s Silent Sentinel (2006). The first is devoted to the rich history of the many artists who have painted Bon Echo including the aboriginals, the Group of Seven and the current artists who capture the beauty of Bon Echo. In the 1990’s researchers discovered that The Rock was home to miniature ancient cedars some of which are over 900 years old.

With the aim of providing protection for the cliff and its rare species the Friends launched the “Adopt-an-Ancient Cedar” project inviting contributions to a fund designed to further this goal.

Small plaques were installed in Dollywood Visitor Centre in recognition of the gifts, often in memory of a loved one.ÝOver $10,000 was raised over ten years.ÝThis resource funded the cost of publishing of The Rock: Bon Echo Provincial Parkís Silent Sentinel (2006), a 28 page full colour booklet book designed to preserve the ecosystem of Mazinaw Rock through education.

Other funds have gone into a number of other projects that include producing Trail Guides and educational resources, the peregrine falcon release, the restoration of the Cliff Top Trail, amphitheatre programming, most displays in the Visitor Centre, new Trail Head signs, interpretive cairns and kiosks and the provision of educational bursaries for local high school graduates.

The operation of the tour boats and the gift shop provide the greatest financial resources for the Friends. In addition, the Friends raise funds through activities such as the annual raffle and regular barbecues at the South Beach. All donated raffle prizes relate to Park activity. The Friends apply for selective government grants and corporate assistance increasing their activities and projects.

Much of the money raised by Friends volunteers and staff is put towards supporting the Bon Echo Natural Heritage Education (NHE) staff effectively doubling the staff from seven to fourteen. The staff provides a large variety of programs for young and old impacting over 60,000 visitors annually.

Over fifty volunteers orchestrate this three day event featuring food, live musical entertainment, Sciensational Sssnakes!! and children’s activities. The art is juried and the committee maintains strict guidelines in keeping with the Park’s heritage. The show, now in its 13th year, continues to grow in popularity and attendance and in the participation of many gifted artists.

Many programs of the Friends of Bon Echo Provincial Park take place outside. The Art Exhibition and Sale, the Boat Tours, and the South Beach BBQs all enjoy the great outdoors. This has been a record year in spite of the weather. The weather cooperated as over fifty volunteers orchestrated the three day Art Exhibition and Sale. Visitors and campers enjoyed musical entertainment, an educational reptile show, various children’s activities and tasty home cooked food. All of this provided a festive backdrop for the many artists showcasing their original work on the theme Canadian Art of Nature, Wildlife and Countryside. The organizing committee under Harold Kaufmann of Denbigh was enthused by the excellent attendance and record sales.

Bon Echo Park is known for its beaches. Betty Pearce of Cloyne heads up an enthusiastic team that stages a barbecue every Saturday and Sunday during the summer at South Beach. In spite of the weather no barbecues were cancelled and numerous happy campers expressed their enthusiasm for the Friends enriching activities.

The Friends of Bon Echo operate two tour boats on Mazinaw Lake. The Mugwump Ferry provides access to the base of the Cliff Top Trail from where visitors can gain a panoramic view of the area following their half hour climb. An interpretive tour along the Mazinaw Rock at water level aboard The Wanderer Too’r exposes visitors to the fascinating flora, fauna, and geological character of this massive cliff and introduces the ancient pictographs left there by earlier peoples. Commentary is provided by Natural Heritage Education (NHE) staff, many of whom are funded by the Friends of Bon Echo. Maintenance and operation of the boats are headed up by Friends Director David Cuddy of Harlowe.

The Greystones Gift and Book Shop continues to provide a unique assortment of gifts, clothing, toys, books and artwork in a classic century cottage setting. Many campers return year after year to browse and appreciate the enticing array of products offered by Operations Manager Helen Yanch and her staff and volunteers. The Friends invested in renovating the Greystones cottage in 2006-7. Local artists showcase their artwork in the gallery in Greystones. The Directors chose to rename the gallery The Colin Edwards Memorial Art Gallery in recognition of Colin’s longtime service as Friends Director, artist, and high school vice-principal at the North Addington Education Centre. A special ceremony was held on June 28th officially re-opening the gift shop and dedicating the art gallery.

For many years the Friends of Bon Echo have provided two bursaries of $250 each for graduates of the North Addington Education Centre (NAEC). Their purpose is to support students who are entering a field of post-secondary study that broadly furthers the Values, Vision and Mission of the Friends. The Bursaries were expanded this year from $250 to $500. Eligible students now include both those who are working within the Park as well as graduating students at NAEC. Students may be studying at any level of post-secondary education and may receive the award more than once. Bursaries this year were awarded to Courtney Malcolm of Denbigh and Heather Lee of Fonthill.

The mission of the Friends of Bon Echo is to keep alive the engaging natural and cultural heritage of Bon Echo. They achieve this primarily through informative events and programs. Through their support the Natural Heritage Education (NHE) staff is doubled from seven to fourteen. The NHE agenda includes daily children’s and regular amphitheatre evening programs, guided trail hikes, canoe hikes, and interpreters on every boat trip. Over 60,000 visitors participated in these programs last summer. Among many other projects, the Friends have also published two books, Massanoga: The Art of Bon Echo and The Rock: Bon Echo Provincial Park’s Silent Sentinel.

The Friends depend on the support of many volunteers. Two long term Directors are retiring from the Board having served six years. Phyllis Mills of Cloyne has headed up the Volunteer Committee and chaired the Greystones Gift and Book Shop Committee. She can always be depended on to organize and to assist wherever needed. Rick Proctor’s service as Treasurer has ensured that the Friends have maintained a sound financial standing. Rick spent numerous hours producing The Rock and headed up the Bursary Committee. Both members will be missed on the Board but they will continue to assist the Friends on other volunteer activities.

At the Friends 20th Annual General Meeting held on September 6th two new Directors were elected for three year terms. Harold Kaufmann served as a Director from 2001-7 and chairs the Art Committee. Dr. Ernest Lapchinski of Mississagagon Lake has served in a leadership capacity on the Land O’Lakes Community Services and the Pine Meadow Nursing Home Management Committee for many years and is a Friends volunteer. Elected for a second three year term is Mary Jane Turner of Northbrook who can always be counted on to support with her time and skills.

The draw for the 2008 Friends Raffle took place at the AGM. The lucky winner of the Prospector 16’6” Expedition kevlar canoe, donated by Langford Canoe, was won by Angela McCann of Pakenham. Ryan Christian of Brighton won the 2nd prize of a 13‘ Paluski Spirit kayak, donated by Kingston Outfitters. The 3rd prize of an A.J.Casson Ltd. Ed. framed print, donated by Northland Art, was won by Carol Mitchell of Port Rowan. The Friends express appreciation to the prize donors and to all who supported the raffle this year.