(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Beautifying the Community

Melfort Woodcarvers adding two more archways to Spruce Haven Park

Jul 13, 2023 | 5:16 PM

The Melfort Northern Lights Woodcarvers are looking to add more to their continuing multi-year project at Spruce Haven Park.

The group recently approached city council and asked permission to create an additional two carved wooden archways to their existing one at the ark.

Council approved the proposed plan, which will put an archway on the west (over the pathway between Shadd Drive and the Labyrinth) and north side (south of the skating rink), while their current one remains at the south end.

“The first one is an entryway to our creative circle and the others we want to basically use as signage. We felt that we needed people to be able to say where the park is, and as an interest feature to be part of the park. I imagine that eventually, there will be trails beside them,” group member Al Jardine, told northeastNOW.

The City would be responsible for the installation costs of four screw piles, and the labour in assisting with the archway installations.

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Costs for the installation are expected to be $1,500 and will come from the Spruce Haven Park operating budget.

According to a city document, “the carved wooden archway that was installed last year has received lots of compliments and has been a great addition to the park.”

And while compliments are good, Jardine is challenging residents to do more by hopefully one day ending up complimenting themselves.

“We would like more people to participate in coming by and giving us ideas on what they would like to see on the gate posts, and maybe to do a drawing themselves or even to try doing some carving if they’re brave enough,” he added.

The group has previously done carving in the trees to provide more attractions, as well as showcase their talents.

In the past three years, they’ve also asked permission to tidy the area where the carvings are and spent numerous hours removing scrub brush and picking garbage in that area.

Jardine explained while their creations might stroke their ego a bit, they just want to have a place to have fun and help make Melfort a more beautiful place.

“We enjoy having fun and meeting people and getting people involved. We just felt that we needed to participate and help beautify the landscape. We’d like to have our back patted for good work, but we also don’t go looking for that either. We like to carve wood and people come by and appreciate it and let us know that they appreciate it.”

The group is out at the park every Wednesday (weather permitting), with anyone and everyone welcome to come.

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