Workbees
Mesaba Co-Op Park has Workbee weekends once a month during the summer season. These weekends are a great way to participate in the work and play that sustains Mesaba Co-op Park. Not a member? No problem! All are welcome at Workbee Weekends, and they are the perfect way to explore the park, membership, and the amazing community that is Mesaba Co-op Park. Come lend a hand and enjoy the camaraderie! Take a look at what we’ve done, and what we still need to accomplish. If you have a specialized skill related to any of the future projects that you would like to offer to the park, please let us know.
Past Accomplishments
2024 April through July:
The Cabin 1 decking was replaced.
Old Brich Tree removed by Cabin #2
wood “coins’ cut and paved by Sauna
stairs by Pavilion repaired
leak repaired behind cabins
sauna and changing room were bleached (part of yearly Maintenace)
Sauna and Wood $ signage created
picnic table work
gardening
boathouse cleanup
woodwork
road and path repair
wasp removal
Installed of Tree of Life mural.
Repaired railing by pavilion entry deck.
Paving Stones Installed at foot of stairs/ ramp #1, 2 &3.
new picnic tables were stained and assembled!
In preparation for Arts Camp and Midsummer, the park was cleaned, mowed, lots of weed-whacking and some painting!
New stove installed & functional. Kitchen floor under stove repaired. Kitchen more or less ready for June.
Cabin 3 - New floor (birch from storage shed) installed and ready for use after furniture moved back in.
Cabins 1,2 & 5 - Basically cleaned & ready.
Water system turned on, purified, tested and approved for use.
Two new picnic tables hauled from Michigan and assembled.
Yurt dome replaced (and hauled here from Duluth).
Nesting island & swimming platform towed out & anchored.
Flowers tended & pots planted.
Office cleaned, ongoing organization.
2023 Accomplishments
Pavilion
Obtained MNHS grant for architectural drawings for repair of west(breezeway) footings
Lake side of pavilion painted.
Old stove moved out of kitchen
Replacement dinner bell installed
Kids area well used
Historical bookcase items organized
Best Rest/Water system
· New pump installed. (old one lasted 50 years)
· New roof & paint on pumphouse
· Electric hot water heater installed
· Moved water spigot from back side of cabin 2 across the drive(still needs some fine tuning)
Whole Park
· New, durable picnic tables on birch hill & elsewhere
· New fire extinguishers throughout park, maintenance contracted
· Memorial for Sandy - Bench, fire ring and wood shed by office
· Yurt dome replacement ordered & ready to install
· Cabin 3 new subfloor installed
· Kayak & paddles donated
· Forestry/Grounds
· Major progress on balsam removal – children’s camp & SW property
· No winter brush pile burns due to dry condition
· Plantings on slopes by pavilion to help stabilize
· Loon nesting island constructed
· Turtle resting plank installed
· Roller dock donated & installed
Communications/Members
· New member packets sent to 30 new members (2022 & 2023)
· Web site moved to new tech, should ease updating (mesabapark.org)
· Instagram account setup and linked to FB (Friends of Mesaba Coop Park)
· Volunteer hosts at the park for much of the season
· Consistent email answering
2024 Season – Dreams, Needs & Essentials
August Workbee Plan:
Cabin #1 deck needs a new railing
Window & door clean/repair/rebuild/paint as needed in all cabins. Especially #3 since the floor is so beautiful.
Continue to clean up logs by Best Rest. Cut wooden ‘Coins” and pave path by b-ball net.
Firewood- (milling project never materialized)
Toss bent canoe and decide what watercraft we should hold on to and what should retire.
temporary erosion repair on driveway down to pavilion. A load of gravel/sand will be dumped at the top and will need to be spread around.
Install handwash/bottle filling sink in DR by dirty dish drain. (Need sink & plumbing/carpentry skills)
Replace gutter covers, repair downspout on pavilion. (We have tall ladders; scaffolding would be useful)
GPS project. Identify & post park boundaries.
Ongoing:
· Wood work, sauna restock. (Remember - no work, no firewood.)
· Eating & camaraderie.
· Whatever you see that inspires you.
Major projects:
Pavilion. Stable for the moment. Fundraising will be needed. Grant funding for Pavilion stabilization in progress.
Roadway erosion control. The BOD is planning on investing $ for repair of the drive down to pavilion. Other roadways also need work. Whole project is est. $15K. Until we can invest that money- a short-term fix will be completed at August Work bee.
Best Rest/Wash House. There will be major building maintenance using the current foundation, septic, etc. Non-gendered accessible wash, changing, toilet, shower facility. Install drainage for rain control. Correct/trench electric.
Funds and skilled labor needed. A fundraising letter with updates will go out this fall.
Demolition will be done after the 2024 season. There will be temporary facilities for the 2025 season.
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