The
Friends of MacGregor Point Park was established in 1993 as a registered
charity by a group of people who were passionate about MacGregor Point
Provincial Park.
Led
by a volunteer Board of Directors, we work cooperatively with MacGregor
Point to support and enhance interpretive, educational and research
projects and programs within the Park. A legal agreement between the
Friends and the Crown; provides formal parametres for this relationship
between the Friends and the Park and provides definition for the extent
to which we become involved in Park Operations.
Since
1993, we have carried out a number of projects within MacGregor Point.
The construction, in 1996, of an observation tower helps to highlight
the role of the Huron Fringe as a migration corridor and important
natural area for nesting birds along the Lake Huron shoreline.
Interpretive panels along the Huron Fringe, Lake Ridge and Tower
trails; the construction of the Rotary Trail to link Port Elgin with the
Park and the placement of information panels in the Park’s comfort
stations are just some of our physical improvements to the Park. Newly
completed is a bird hide for use by birders, photographers, artists and
others who would like to have unimpeded observations of wildlife.
Program
enhancements have varied from the annual support of student positions
and guest speakers to larger festivals such as Sparkle in the Park
(formerly Snowfest), Wild for the Arts and the Huron Fringe Birding
Festival. Our festivals bring varied user groups into the Park and the
Saugeen Shores area.
The
volunteer Board of Directors of the Friends is a working board. It
works hard to find ways to raise monies so that we can honour our
mandate of enhancing the interpretive, educational and research aspects
of the park. Revenue from the Friends Huron Fringe Shop, which is
located in the Visitor Centre, and our other fund raising ventures stay
in the Park.
As
a Board of Directors, we recognize that the role of the Friends of
MacGregor Point is very important to MacGregor Point Provincial Park.
It is through our continued support that many more people will come to
value this protected area along the shores of Lake Huron.