THE FRIENDS

What do we do?

The Friends of Presqu'ile Park raise funds through many initiatives that are then invested in projects to provide support to the Park for services, staffing, and interpretive programs.  According to Ontario Parks, The Friends' contribution since 1988 has been about $5 million in funds and volunteer hours.

The Friends are involved in Special Weekends, both historical and natural, such as: Waterfowl Weekend; Warblers and Whimbrels Weekend; Canada Day; History Weekend; Monarchs and Migrants Weekend; and Applefest.

We have helped with the structural and display requirements for educational or interpretive activities: i.e., the viewing stations; the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre; the Nature Centre; and the many interpretive panels throughout the Park.

We have funded (over $320,000) the Marsh Boardwalk (completed in 2010) and our volunteer building team did the construction of this very important project (approximately 10,000 volunteer hours).

In 2013, we funded the Jobes' Woods Trail refurbishment (over $90,000) - removing of the old boardwalk and constructing of the new boardwalk (built to the same standard as the Marsh Boardwalk). Work was carried out by our volunteer building team (approximately 5,000 volunteer hours).

We have developed: trail guides, children's activity books, flora and fauna checklists; butterfly books; the deer book; and Identi-wheel.

Our fundraising helps to pay for the staff to provide the curriculum-based Kids 'n Nature School Group Program, attended by over 1500 students each year. We also fund some summer student interpreters and provide volunteer interpreters to support the Natural Heritage Education programs in the Park. 

We fund the Kids 'n Nature Summer Camps - a modest fee per child per camp is charged.

How do we do all that?

We achieve all this through our fundraising comprising: The Friends' Lighthouse Gift Shop; Christmas at Presqu'ile Arts and Crafts Show; BBQs; raffles; special events; personal donations; grant applications; corporate support; and gifts from charitable foundations.