Binoculars at the BLESS Platform
There is a new addition to the BLESS platform. Early in 2010, the City of St. Albert awarded a grant to BLESS from the City's Environmental Initiatives program to purchase and install a set of fixed binoculars at the platform. The binoculars are equal in quality to those found in national parks and other high traffic tourism areas. Visitors to the platform will now have the opportunity to view Big Lake, its shoreline and the wildlife that reside around the lake in closer detail.
A crew of BLESS volunteers installed the binoculars on May 1, 2010. BLESS member Annette Cake organized a celebration to recognize the new addition which was attended on May 16th by St. Albert Mayor Nolan Crouse, a host of other dignitaries and a wonderful contingent of BLESS members and supporters. Annette had challenged St. Albert Grade 5 students to an essay contest the subject of which was a mythical Big Lake sea monster. In addition to the grand prize of a young naturalist kit, the author of the winning essay got to formally unveil the binoculars. There were monster cookies and refreshments, activities for the children and an enjoyable afternoon of comaradarie as those who attended tried out the new binoculars.
BLESS applauds and thanks the City of St. Albert for this generous gift. The binoculars will enhance the natural experience for visitors to Big Lake and Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park well into the future.
Photos of the binocular installation:
Photos of the binocular unveiling:
Photos by Stuart Loomis.