captions:

 

A group of 8th grade students from Eastford Elementary school.  

 

 

Marissa Mayhew sweeping the dining hall,

 

Chris Mayhew working.

 

Commission vice chairman Bill Bradley improving the entry way of park. 

 

 

EASTFORD — Aug. 22 more than 50 volunteers from several different local groups worked through the cold and wet weather to improve the Nahaco Park property.  

Community members from the Eastford Baptist Church along with members from the Eastford Congregational Church teamed up to re-create and open pavilion for future park goers to enjoy.  The first stage of this project was to remove the siding on the building along with the shingles and old fire place.  Once the project is complete, the end result will be an open pavilion with picnic tables and an outdoor grill area for local citizens to enjoy. 

Not to be out done, a group of hard working eighth grade students from Eastford Elementary School and Woodstock Middle school worked under the guidance of Art and Lennox Brodeur of Eastford clearing debris around the dining hall and other areas along the beach.

One of the most difficult challenges of the day was installing split rail fencing near the expanded parking area.  This task was completed by a local senior from Killingly High School, along with a member of the commission and a representative from the Putnam Lodge #46 Freemasons lodge.

As worked continued on the outside, three students from UConn cleaned the kitchen and dining hall area in preparation for the rental season.  These three students, along with Karen Mayhew, went through many paper towels and cleaning supplies to create a safe and clean environment for future kitchen use.  Other tasks that were completed during volunteer day included cleaning the pump house, dismantling old fire pit areas where a future outdoor volleyball court will be and the installation of new plumbing fixtures.

There were many Nahaco Park Commission members present to oversee the challenges that faced the volunteers. Dave Mullen spent a few hours preparing the newly approved 18 hole Frisbee Disc golf course. Lisa and Silas Bunnell and Mike Bernardi put together lunch for all to enjoy following their labors. 

Nahaco Park Chairman Chris Mayhew said: “As I moved around the property witnessing all the work the was being accomplished, I truly was amazed at the ability of our community to come together on this special earth day occasion.  From the many church members, to the eager 8th grade students, a true sense of unity was felt throughout the day.  With that in mind I would like to once again thank everyone who was involved in our very successful Nahaco Park Volunteer day.  I would like to encourage all citizens in the towns of Eastford and Woodstock to visit Nahaco park, located at 305 Crystal Pond Road, and take advantage of true beauty and elegance that the park has to offer.”