Minutes Friends of Ferris
September 8, 2009 @ 6 pm Ferris Park Office

Attendance: Barb Hogan, Fred Ellis, Carole Ellis, John Knox, Bob Hogan, Mike Anderson, Gerhart Marzinski, Rose Odell, Al Graham, Tom Mates
Regrets: Doreen Sharpe, Marlaine Bennett

Barb welcomed everyone to the meeting

Review
Agenda Review
Minutes - June 9, 2009
Ontario Parks Took over the park June 24.
The constitution , bylaws and agreement should be revised.
Try It Week Barb had set up a table there Not well attended
Canada Day & Waterfront Festival - Barb had set up booth for the Friends, Very successful, Balloons attracted a lot of attention
Music Fest Very successful Nick reported to Barb 141 vehicles, more than 242 visitors and 31 volunteers attended
Barb reported revenue of $1,487.52 less expenses of $782.17, Blue Loo costs not included.
Barb has sent thank you cards
Barb to step down as chair of Music Fest for 2010, will need volunteer to chair.
Tom Mates said Ontario Parks approves of Music Fest, improved marketing for park and good for the community.
Tom approved free admittance in 2010 Rotary barbequed ribs and gave all proceeds to the Friends

Stone Walls John Shaw-Rimmington of Dry Stone Wall Association of Canada along with students worked on Saturday and Sunday completing a section of our stone wall. Students came from Salt Lake City, Utah, Flint Michigan, Kitchener area, Brighton, along with Carol Robertson of the Friends, along with John and his helper both from Port Hope. John suggested we make this an annual event - the long weekend in September seemed to work well The cost to the Friends was supplying lunch for 2 days ( lasagna & salad Saturday, and bbq hamburgers and 2 salads for Sunday along with water, pop and coffee. And fruit. 2 tents were put up, one as shelter from the sun for the workers, the second with promotional material, and shirts for sale for the Friends
Sold 3 memberships and received donations of $56.00.
Barbara Mann and Catherine Ford, granddaughters of John Berry Ferris along with other members of their families drove from Toronto to see the work being done. It was great to have them here. Mary Costello (of J.M. Ferris) could not attend but sent an email to Barb of best wishes and thanks. The walls were originally built between 1836 and 1871. It was suggested that G.P.S. reading of all the locations of stone walls in the park be taken for the records

Trail Fest Barb has arranged Graham Wilson to be the guide Barb to put ad in paper Walk to be between 1 - 2 pm Many of board members can not be present so the AGM will be rescheduled

Promotion
Have left 29 T.shirts with Suspension Bridge on them - $5.00 each To sell these at main gate in 2010
Also have many of the new golf shirts Tom says we could sell Ontario Parks merchandise - a keep 80% of the sales revenue

Trail Updates
Al reported the body of the lawnmower gave out. Al has priced around - Thompsons has a Lawn boy for $350.00 with specifications he would like to have. Tom Mates said Ontario Parks will pay for it and he will speak to Nick to order from Thompsons this fall.
Trans Canada Trail
Mike reported he took the signs to Town office to have them designate where to put them in Town Trans Canada Trail does not appear to be on the Trent Hills map.
Boardwalk
In August ATVs damaged the boardwalk - Bob repaired but it was recommended that new boardwalks be 5' wide not 4' wide. Construction of new boardwalks is on hold Al has 4-5 bundles of trail maps on hand.
In 2010 Health for Life can be taken off the maps. To obtain price for 5,000 and 10,000 copies.. Gerhard made a motion to order 5,000 now, Mike seconded it. Carried.
Chimney Swift Tower
One has been installed on Ontario Hydro property between the suspension bridge and the road. The Friends will only fund one in Ferris Park. Fred to check with Wood Club
Shed
Fred, Bob, Barb, Carol R., Carol G., Al, and Tom were involved in some way with either the framing, pouring of the cement pad, or installing the shed Very handy to have, able to store lots of the Friends supplies Keys to be given to President, Vice President, Bob, Al, and Nick
Benches
On his own time, Nick hauled material with ATV to location beside pond, Drumland trail and Osprey nest areas. Three benches were installed by Fred Bob, and Nick Three more to install next spring Need more wood to repair old benches. "Friends of Ferris" routered onto top board
Trail Signage
Feb. 10, 2009 Health for Life gave us a $4,000. Grant. Tom Mates to contact person to design signs, to be given info and photos we would like on signs. Design $300.00, work $600.00 Approx.
Web Site
We have the same host. To put info & photos on about Stone Walls and Music Fest
Newsletter
Current enclosed Next one to go out in January 2010.

Volunteer Hours - To be put on end of year statement
Road Signs Trent Hills requires a permit be taken out for road signs (no charge) Barb submitted a request for road signs and small kite signs and it has been accepted. They can be up 8 weeks before the event and must be down 2 days after.
Circle of Friends - Held in Kilarney this year at cost of $510. Plus tax for rooms plus $90.00 registration fee - Barb and Bob have previous commitments and can't go this year
March Speaker - Mr. John Shaw Rimmington could be asked to speak, alternatives include Graham Wilson on the Drumlins, or Lower Trent re invasive species. To decide at a later date
Osprey Nest Barb arranged for Doug Simpson of Simpson Electric to bring his boom truck into the park and straighten up the nest
Children's Program - Lisa Kelly has volunteered to do children's workshops in the park. We are to advise Tom-there is a three day Ontario Parks workshop available for her to take.
Banners Carole to speak to Scott Rose re: banners to be put on bridge in Campbellford to promote trillium walk and kite day
Financial
John reported July 31 bank balance of $10,398.23. Insurance owing to Newman Oliver $702.00
Ontario Parks Took over park June 24, trained staff. To improve park this year by painting, repairing roads, trimming trees on roads, around corners and on campsites , installing new sheds, new tanks, security systems, installed 3 new hand dryers.
Have had good comments from the public on staff, overall appearance of the park, security (more staff - on duty longer hours), manning the gatehouse and collecting revenue on a regular basis, cutting grass.
Winter Season - Parking lot to gate house will be snow plowed to accommodate ski trail parking Need another gate for road leading to suspension bridge, all roads and campgrounds to be blocked off.
Agreement dropped off with River Rats (snowmobile club) Orange signs are fine for ski trails
Day use fees applicable - Friends to keep this money
Now the back loop of Bedrock and Valleyview are closed Showers, new hydro sites, new gate house on wish list
To move "no ATV" signs to Burnbrae Meeting adjourned

Next Meeting: Wednesday November 18 6 P.M. - A.G.M. At the Grind House Café on Front Street


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