Cold Creek Conservation Stewardship gets a boost

Members of Cold Creek Stewardship gathered by the Wheat Barn last Wednesday as Chair Gordon Craig accepted contributions from Ian Callahan, of Let's Decorate in Bolton, and Rosemary Park, chair of the York Region Community Foundation. The York Region Community Foundation and Ian Callahan of Let's Decorate in Bolton last week announced $3,000 in grant funding, as well as a contribution of $750 of Benjamin Moore paint for the Cold Creek Conservation Area.

"Our community is indeed fortunate to have Cold Creek as an ecologically diverse and protected area in the west end of York Region," said Rosemary Park, chair of the York Region Community Foundation. "Thanks to people like Ian Callahan and Benjamin Moore, the restoration of Cold Creek's Wheat Barn as a heritage and educational building will continue."

"Protection of heritage and culture is as important to the Cold Creek Stewardship as preservation of the natural features in Cold Creek Conservation Area," Gordon Craig, chair of the Cold Creek Stewardship explained. "We are fortunate to have an excellent example of an early 19th century barn in Cold Creek, typical of the many barns that once dotted the King Township landscape. The Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program grant will help us reclaim the early look and feel of the barn and preserve its wood exterior."

"Cold Creek as been revitalized through the Cold Creek Conservation collaborative involving the land owner, Toronto Region and Conservation Authority, operations management provided by King Township's Parks, Recreation and Culture department and the volunteer Stewardship group," he added. "The barn is currently used to support Stewardship activities and King Township children's recreational programs."

York was one of several Ontario communities to benefit from the Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program in 2006 and now again in 2008. In the program, Benjamin Moore provides cash grants, paint and technical advice to volunteer organizations working on community renovation projects.

"It is a great pleasure to support the Cold Creek Conservation Area" stated Ian Callahan, owner of Let's Decorate in Bolton. "Our store is proud to contribute to the continuing upkeep of this unique part of our past."

The Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program is delivered in partnership with the Community Foundations of Canada, the national membership organization for Canada's 163 community foundations. In the 10 years since its inception, the Benjamin Moore Community Restoration Program has awarded more than 126 grants, totalling $455,000.