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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