The John Cole Award, named in honour of our first Board Chair, is given to the Volunteer of the Year. The Board of Directors has the difficult task of selecting one volunteer from the many deserving candidates.  Our Volunteer of the Year is to be a shining example of the values of our organization and his or her service to the Friends organization over a period of years. 

This year’s winner has gotten his hands and boots dirty many times, not only this year, but years in the past. For the past six years, Larry Paradis has served as a director, but also as the Chair of the Operations Committee. Larry has led a great team of volunteers to take on countless projects, both large and small, to improve the park experience. As a skilled craftsperson himself, he has built and repaired countless feet of boardwalk, signage, and even a permit box. Each year, Larry has met with the park staff to determine their priority repairs for the year. He then summons the team to get to work. Larry’s calm, quiet leadership has been a great asset to the Board of Directors and the park’s operations. Congratulations and thank you, Larry!