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Bears find new home in Waskesiu

Feb 20, 2015 | 4:04 PM

A mother bear and her two cubs are calling the Waskesiu beach, home.

The trio arrived Feb. 13 as the last piece of a nature-themed playground. 

According to the Waskesiu Foundation, the structure, made of glass-fibre reinforced with concrete, was placed on the main beach amongst the snow.

Chairman Derwin Arnstead said the Foundation in partnership with Parks Canada Agency raised $300,000 to replace the old playground that could date back to the 1980s.  He said volunteers and park staff will have the “Bears on the Beach” ready for children to play on by July 1.

In addition to the bears, two large tree trunks with “peek-a-boo” windows were put on the main beach.  This will go alongside slides, rope activities and chinning bars.

“Waskesiu certainly has a lot of wonderful wildlife and bears are part of that and we just thought that it was a fitting example of mother cub taking care of her two young ones and that that might be a nice playground theme for parents and grandparents,” said Jim Kerby with the Foundation in April of 2014.

The Foundation is looking for volunteers to help in building the playground in the spring. If you want to get involved email bearsonthebeach1@gmail.com

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