LANSDOWNE
The atmosphere is idyllic in the Lansdowne Outdoor Recreational Park (LORDA) with birds chirping, people fishing, wind rustling through the trees – and above all, the sun glimmering off the surface of the fishing pond.
It comes as no surprise that the popularity of one of Pictou County’s most relaxing, pleasant parks and recreation areas is showing growth this year.
Coinciding with the official season opening of several provincial parks, LORDA – which has been open for 32 years – was a small hub of activity on Friday. Many seniors and disabled people participated: the park offers fishing in the pond from Tuesday to Saturday, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closer to the beaten path, sitting on a bench and enjoying the day, Gary Tobacco patiently manoeuvred his fishing rod. When asked if he caught anything at that point, Tobacco quipped, “I just like to get out. Besides, if you catch them you have to clean them.”
Tobacco had high praise of LORDA, its board and the many volunteers who make such a wonderful little escape possible in rural Pictou County.
“It’s a wonderful idea to have this out here, but they don’t get the support they need,” Tobacco said. “They always need to raise funds, and they’re running programs for seniors like me at no charge.”
As several other groups of people ringed the pond, trying their hand at fishing, David Leese, the president of the LORDA board of directors said he was surprised by how busy the park has been so far this season.
“It’s great to see so many families here – kids and their grandparents—and people camping,” said Leese. “We have tenting areas here, too, and there are some hiking trails people are using too.”
This season, LORDA will be undergoing some updates, such as areas and equipment for some outdoor games and activities, that include horseshoes and ring toss.
When asked what he thinks makes LORDA such an increasingly popular spot in Pictou County, a region with no shortage of recreational areas and parks, Leese said “it’s off the beaten path.
“The reason a lot of people love it, is that it’s off the main highway, Highway 289 – you go five minutes off the main highway and you’re in God’s country,” Leese said. “You’re in the middle of the woods, and it’s peaceful – and you’re only about 25 minutes from any town in Pictou County.”
Leese noted that another boon to the popularity of LORDA has been Facebook – since its existence became ‘Facebook-official,’ word has been spreading about LORDA, and visitors have been accordingly flocking to the park from across the province as a result.
In Pictou County and beyond, many organizations have been availing themselves of the peaceful bucolic atmosphere of LORDA, with organizations like Pictonian council of the United Commercial Travellers – and even historical anachronist organizations– placing bookings through the season.
Leese was emphatic in how grateful he is to the many volunteers who make LORDA a reality, adding, “we really don’t mind people who come to help out and volunteer.”
He stopped, and had a chuckle as a boy across the pond – with a great flourish – yanked a catch out of the pond, nearly tumbling over himself, in his eagerness to pry the fish from the water, adding, “I think this will be a good year for us.”
