Seeking the means to help clean up Diana Lake

One of the north coasts most picturesque settings may yet get the clean up that it deserves.

Diana Lake Park, the little oasis just off of Highway 16 is set to be given a once over, now that funding from BC Parks has been accessed for the long delayed and much needed project.

The park and beach has become a bit of a mess over the years, as the fate of Skeena Cellulose followed its path, the once regular maintenance of the beach and park areas tailed off.

Of most importance is the beach area, which needs much work in a rejuvenation bid, a project that has the District of Port Edward calling for volunteers to come to the parks assistance. Those who own or operate heavy equipment have been asked to step up and lend a hand (and some equipment) to help stretch out the funding that has been received for the project.

The District has called a 10 a. m. meeting for Monday morning to gauge the interest in support for the job at hand and to try and map out a plan of attack for the number of things that need to be done.

The Daily News featured all the details in the Friday paper.

Diana Lake action urged
BY CARLA WINTERSGILL
The Daily News
Friday, June 20, 2008

Pages two and three

BC Parks has put forward the funding for the restoration of Diana Lake, but the district of Port Edward is still looking for volunteers to help with the clean-up.

"The money isn't enough to do the job completely," said Dave MacDonald, mayor of Port Edward. "Volunteers can help us stretch the dollars that we do have."

Port Ed council is asking all companies with heavy equipment that would be interested in donating their resources to meet at the Port Ed municipal building on Monday morning.
Although BC Parks has talked about doing some roadwork, MacDonald says the organization is more concerned with the lake itself.

"We've asked them to start up-front and work their way back," said MacDonald. "The beach area is the most important part."

Once maintained by the pulp mill, Diana Lake has since fallen into a state of disrepair. Logs and debris block access to the lake, making it treacherous for anyone who wants to go in for a swim.
"We're worried about children walking over those logs and getting hurt," said MacDonald.

The state of the lake has been a source of frustration for the council, which has waited for the funding from BC Parks to come through for quite a while. The last major clean-up of Diana Lake was some 15 years ago and the sandy beach that was put in place has since been washed away.
"We want to be able to put the sand back in."

Community members who say they would be willing to donate machinery have already approached some city councilors.

Monday's meeting is to find out who is still interested and available to do some work on the beach.

"We're looking for general contract work to tidy up the area," said MacDonald.
"We need hauling to do a general clean-up and fix-up of the area."

The council will take into account financial considerations for fuel cost.

MacDonald urges all interested in donating their time to attend the meeting on Mon., June 23, at 10 a.m. to find out what they can do to help.