Zuckerberg Island Heritage Park in Castlegar is awakening from winter and members of the community came out to give it a spring cleanup on Sunday, March 24.
The island park is an oasis of unique vegetation and a peaceful place on a warm, sunny day.
Maintaining the grounds, Chapel House, trails and flowerbeds takes considerable effort.
Thankfully, Verna Keraiff – who knew Alexander Zuckerberg personally — and many others are keeping the island well-maintained for all to enjoy. Keraiff, who has spent decades tending to the island and its facilities, said she was beginning to "run out of steam" and was happy to have so many people turn out to help.
Keraiff's son Tim was busy on the flowerbeds; Gary and Maureen Sauer turned up with a leaf-blower (and doughnuts for all); and Nicole Beetstra, general manager and sales manager of EZ Rock pitched in with raking along with Jennifer Waldie of Shaw Communications and City of Castlegar Coun. Deb McIntosh.
Beetstra said she regularly runs laps around the island and hoped more residents would come out to enjoy the quiet setting.
The Castlegar and District Heritage Society is always looking for volunteers to help keep things ship-shape. If you would like to help out on the island or at the Station Museum, call Deb McIntosh Monday to Friday at (250) 365-6440.