It’s been 35 years of work, but the founder of Goodsir Nature Park says his creation is finally set up the way he’s always dreamed.
Speaking with The Citizen earlier this month, Jim Good said that the final elements of his vision were finally put in place this past June when trails in the park were upgraded to be wheelchair and stroller friendly and a wheelchair-friendly pit toilet was installed by the entrance.
Good purchased the land on Old Summit Lake Road in the late 80s with the aim of turning it into a park with plant and tree species from across the country.
“I travelled to every province and territory, personally collecting tiny little seedlings and some of them I brought back in seed format,” Good said. “It covers the entire country, coast to coast to coast.”
The only jurisdiction not represented in the collection of trees is Nunavut, as they only grow in the southernmost reaches near the border with Manitoba.
Over the years, Good has also set up two museums in the park — one housing his substantial collection of 43,000 vinyl records and a botanical museum with plant samples from around Canada.
The vinyl museum also broadcasts music over a radio frequency through the park and around the area with a homemade system. Good said he’s tried to get the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to grant him a broadcast license in the past without success.
Since opening, Good said he’s received hundreds if not thousands of students visiting the park from School District 57. These days, he said there are even some younger parents that have never seen a vinyl record before.
Around six or seven years ago, Good had heart attacks that have since limited what he can do around the park. Thankfully, he’s had volunteers helping him out.
He said the park has a reputation of being a destination for activities in the warmer months, but that it’s open for business in the winter as well.
For instance, the 1890s-themed cabin on the property near Little Goodsir Lake can be rented out in the winter and there’s winter camping available as well. Good said its first-come, first-served for the camping and advises visitors to call ahead to book the cabin.
Visitors can also engage in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Even if people have visited before, Good said with all the additions over the years, it’s worth coming back down to see what’s changed.
Though the work developing the park is finished, Good said he still needs volunteers to help with maintenance and upkeep.
“I’m hoping someday it may become a day-use government facility, even a provincial park or national park,” Good said.
Admittance is through donation, and Good accepts general donations to go towards the upkeep of the park. Larger donations can be eligible for tax receipts as the park is a non-profit.
More information about the park can be found by calling 250-971-2337 or visiting goodsirnaturepark.ca.
