With spring upon us, the new group formed to support the major county park in Hill County is looking for help with a fund-raising event and to make improvements to the park.
The nonprofit organization Friends of Beaver Creek Park is setting a cleanup day for April 29, “Love Our Park Day, ” and promoting the “Spring for Beaver Creek Park” May 12, including looking for items to be auctioned during the day.
Tickets for the May 12 fundraiser go on sale Sunday, April 1.
Dana Pyette, administrative assistant at the park and a member of the Friends organization, said people can contact Friends board Chair Ursula Brese at ubrese70@gmail.com if they have items to contribute for the live and silent auctions.
“All items are welcome, and we would especially encourage items related to the park or its history, ” Pyette said.
“We are also looking for park-related items of historical value, ” she added. “We would like to refurbish the park office with park memorabilia, historical items, pictures (and so on.) These items would be kept for future use in a possible park museum. ”
The group also has established an online survey for people to tell them how they use the park, and what they would like to see there. The survey is at www.surveymonkey.com/s/friendsofbeavercreekpark, and on the group’s Facebook page.
Two events are set for April 29, an afternoon of picking up litter and cleaning the park — garbage bags provided — from 1 to 5 p. m., and a community education historic tour of the park with Robbie Lucke as the tour guide. Pyette said North Central Montana Transit will provide transportation for the tour.
The “Spring for Beaver Creek Park” fundraiser will take place at Camp Kiwanis at the park.
From noon to 5 p. m., the group will hold an open house including children’s and family activities with scavenger hunts, games and wildlife- or outdoor-focused activities, historic tours, a presentation by representatives of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, face painting, balloon animals, silent auctions and local vendors selling items.
Pyette said that from 5 p. m. to midnight there will be a gala event including a meal, a short story presentation about the park by Lucke, live and silent auctions, a full bar and a barn-style dance within the lodge, with transportation by North Central Montana Transit.
The group also is reviving a fun run at the park. On June 23, the Beaver Dash 1-mile, 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer runs and a 20-mile bike ride will be held.
“For those runners who want to record their fastest time or for those beginners just looking for a great place to start, this race is almost all downhill, making it a spectacular run with an inspiring view, ” Pyette said, adding that transportation will be provided by the transit system.
The group is working on other events and activities, including teaming up with the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line to provide events and activities for members of the club, and developing a new walking trail starting at Rotary Falls.
