If you’ve visited the 11-acre riverfront camp in the last few months, you have likely noticed construction crews on site and some changes to the back lawn portion of the property. Last fall we announced the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) had approved a grant for $176,000 for site improvements at Camp Pollock. Now, we are pleased to report the project is underway!
Camp Pollock Grounds Improvement Color Map
New trails will loop throughout the open space to invite visitors to explore more of the property, replacing high-maintenance lawn with nearly a mile of permeable decomposed granite trails and drought-tolerant native plant gardens. The parking area is being improved, a new gathering and picnic area will be nestled on the backside of the lodge, and new educational signs will teach visitors about the unique parkway resources.
Fulfilling our community’s vision for Camp Pollock is far from complete, and we are asking for your help. Project expenses exceed the WCB grant funding. With the loss in revenue from Camp Pollock rentals being cancelled during the pandemic, we are in need of donations and more funding. You can also volunteer your time to help with maintenance and improvement projects, and the sprouting of Camp Pollock’s new native plant nursery.
We would also like to give a HUGE THANK YOU to the 171 donors who helped raise the $45,000 needed to purchase a tiny house for Camp Pollock’s live-on-site property manager. You may remember from our previous articles and social media posts that on July 3, a tree fell on the caretaker’s trailer totaling it. Insurance didn’t cover the cost of a suitable replacement unit, and with no dedicated funding for Camp Pollock, SVC turned to our community for help. In just three months, the funds were raised!
SVC staff searched high and low to find a suitable mobile housing unit. The one you now see on site best met our needs, and as a bonus, was built through the Mendota High School FFA Construction Program, a service learning program that gives young adults an opportunity to learn woodworking, metalworking, electrical, plumbing and welding skills. We are thrilled that we were able to help pay it forward, as the funds from the tiny home purchase will fund the school’s 2021 program which will give the next class of students the opportunity to build a tiny house next year.
